Region Italy Research Articles

Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy

The emergence of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in food products is a growing concern due to the potential transfer of resistance to human pathogens. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in raw and ready-to-eat food samples collected from two regions of Italy (Apulia and Basilicata) and to evaluate their resistance phenotypes and genetic characteristics. A total of 1000 food samples were screened, with a prevalence of 4.4% of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The majority of the isolates belonged to Enterobacter spp. (60%), followed by Moellerella wisconsensis, Atlantibacter hermannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli, among others. Genomic sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high levels of resistance to β-lactams, with most isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR). Notably, seven isolates harbored mcr genes (mcr-1, mcr-9, and mcr-10). Additionally, in four of them were predicted the IncHI2 plasmids, known to facilitate the spread of colistin resistance. Furthermore, 56 antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, suggesting the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to several antibiotic classes. Virulence gene analysis showed that E. coli and other isolates carried genes linked to pathogenicity, increasing the potential risk to public health. This study emphasizes the role of food as a potential reservoir for colistin-resistant bacteria and the importance of monitoring the spread of AMR genes in foodborne pathogens.

Wastewater Monitoring During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Veneto Region, Italy: Longitudinal Observational Study

Abstract Background As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations around the world, there has been substantial interest in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a tool to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates the use of WBE to anticipate COVID-19 trends by analyzing the correlation between viral RNA concentrations in wastewater and reported COVID-19 cases in the Veneto region of Italy. Objective We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart method in detecting changes in SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater and its potential as an early warning system for COVID-19 outbreaks. Additionally, we aimed to validate these findings over different time periods to ensure robustness. Methods This study analyzed the temporal correlation between SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater and COVID-19 clinical outcomes, including confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, from October 2021 to August 2022 in the Veneto region, Italy. Wastewater samples were collected weekly from 10 wastewater treatment plants and analyzed using a reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The CUSUM method was used to detect significant shifts in the data, with an initial analysis conducted from October 2021 to February 2022, followed by validation in a second period from February 2022 to August 2022. Results The study found that peaks in SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater consistently preceded peaks in reported COVID-19 cases by 5.2 days. Hospitalizations followed with a delay of 4.25 days, while ICU admissions exhibited a lead time of approximately 6 days. Notably, certain health care districts exhibited stronger correlations, with notable values in wastewater anticipating ICU admissions by an average of 13.5 and 9.5 days in 2 specific districts. The CUSUM charts effectively identified early changes in viral load, indicating potential outbreaks before clinical cases increased. Validation during the second period confirmed the consistency of these findings, reinforcing the robustness of the CUSUM method in this context. Conclusions WBE, combined with the CUSUM method, offers valuable insight into the level of COVID-19 outbreaks in a community, including asymptomatic cases, thus acting as a precious early warning tool for infectious disease outbreaks with pandemic potential.

A Methodological Approach for Assessing the Interaction Between Rural Landscapes and Built Structures: A Case Study of Winery Architecture in Tuscany, Italy

This research aims to investigate the dynamics of interaction and interdependence between winery architecture and the rural landscape, with a particular focus on the Tuscany region in Italy. The primary objective is to analyze a selection of wineries deemed iconic and exemplary for the topic, assessing their relationship with the surrounding territory and landscape. To this end, specifically designed analytical frameworks are employed, grounded in experimental methodologies and criteria well-established in the relevant scientific literature. This methodology integrates a wide range of qualitative and quantitative indicators from scientific literature, organizing them within various taxonomic frameworks. Through tailored analytical forms, the research examines how design choices impact the agrarian context, highlighting the pivotal role of winery architecture in strengthening territorial identity and fostering a model of sustainable tourism. This paper introduces an adaptable interpretive method applicable across contexts, suitable for professionals and decision-makers. The findings present a framework for evaluating landscape systems, demonstrating how passive and advanced strategies enhance eco-efficiency and landscape perception, and adding ethical, aesthetic, and functional value. Moreover, the research contributes to rural landscape discourse, highlighting winery architecture’s role in balancing sustainability, driving economic development, and preserving rural environments.

Clinical genetic services in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy: current activity and open issues: a mixed-method study.

In 2002, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, a comprehensive strategic plan was developed with the aim of improving the integration and efficiency of the genetic services. Two decades later, this report aims to explore the current functioning of the regional network, with special focus on clinical genetics in the evolving scenarios. To this aim, we analyzed the activity data of the medical genetics services in the region, to identify and possibly improve currently open issues. This is a mixed-method study, analyzing quantitatively and qualitatively the activities of seven medical genetics services in Emilia-Romagna region. Quantitative analysis considered the number of consultations and the composition of the staff in the year 2021. Qualitative analysis examined a focus group of directors of the services through reflexive thematic analysis. A total of 14,925 counseling sessions have been delivered by the medical genetics services, staffed with 22.4 full-time equivalent clinical geneticists. A physician performed an average of 14.5 consultations per week and approximately 1166h of patient care per year. The clinical geneticists/inhabitants ratio was 0.54 per 100,000 inhabitants, and it is estimated that one every 278 inhabitants, on average, underwent a genetic counseling session in 2021. Qualitative analysis highlighted issues concerning patients' access to service, general organization and staff composition. In order to meet the growing demand for genetic counseling services, expansion of the workforce and adjustment of current practice models are required to increase the access to genetic services and the application of test results to clinical management.

Characterization of mint virus C, a new member of the genus Carlavirus.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a new carlavirus causing mosaic on mint plants in Italy, which we have tentatively named "mint virus C" (MVC). Flexuous particles of around 600 nm were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and next-generation sequencing was performed to determine the nucleotide sequence of the MVC genome, which was found to be 8558 nt long, excluding the poly(A) tail, and shows the typical organization of a carlavirus. The putative proteins encoded by MVC are 44-56% identical to the closest matches in the NCBI database, suggesting that MVC should be considered a member of a new species in the genus Carlavirus. MVC was detected in independent mint samples from different regions of Italy, collected in 2023 and 2024. Two MVC isolates, identified in 2023 (Me1) and in 2024 (Me2), have been included in the Plant Virus Italy (PLAVIT) collection.

Pilot study of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in hospitals, Italy, September to December 2022.

BackgroundClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a severe infection that needs to be monitored. This infection predominantly occurs in hospitalised patients after antimicrobial treatment, with high mortality in elderly patients.AimWe aimed at estimating the incidence of CDI in Italian hospitals over 4 months in 2022.MethodsWe estimated incidences of hospital-acquired CDI (HA-CDI), community or unknown CDI (CA/UA-CDI), recurrent CDI and overall CDI in 25 Italian hospitals, characterised C. difficile isolates using PCR ribotyping, analysed them for toxin genes and susceptibility to antimicrobials.ResultsClostridioides difficile was detected in 9.7% (655/6,722) of samples from 550 patients, 18 patients died of CDI. The mean overall CDI incidence was 5.0 cases per 10,000 patient days (range: 0.7-11.9). For HA-CDI, mean incidence was 3.7 (range: 0.7-9.2), for CA/UA-CDI 0.8 (range: 0.0-3.2) and for recurrent CDI 0.5 (range: 0.0-3.4). Most patients were female (n = 295; 53.6%), aged ≥ 65 years (n = 422; 76.7%) and previously hospitalised (n = 275; 50.0%). Of the 270 culturable isolates, 267 (98.9%) had toxin A and B genes and 51 (18.9%) the binary toxin genes. Of the 55 PCR ribotypes (RTs) identified, RT 018 (n = 56; 20.7%) and RT 607 (n = 23; 8.5%) were the most common, RT 607 in the northern (p < 0.0001) and RT 018 in the central (p < 0.0001) regions of Italy. Most isolates (n = 158; 58.5%) were antimicrobial-resistant and 119 (44.1%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR).ConclusionHighly virulent and MDR C. difficile types are circulating in Italian hospitals which highlights the need of robust surveillance and stringent prevention and control measures.

Preliminary assessment of waste accumulation along riverbanks in Italy.

This paper presents a preliminary assessment of waste accumulation along riverbanks in Italy, aiming to provide baseline data for future monitoring and management efforts. The study surveyed 18 stations along 16 rivers across different regions of Italy, from north to south, to quantify and characterise the types and abundance of litter present along their banks. Field surveys were conducted by Legambiente citizen scientists applying a standardised protocol to record and categorise litter items systematically. Results indicate widespread litter accumulation, with a median density of 457 items/100m and 0.2 items/m2. A diverse range of items was observed, including artificial polymer materials (56%), glass/ceramics (20%), metal (11%), and paper/cardboard (6%). Half of the items belonged to just four categories: glass bottles (17%), cigarette butts (14%), plastic pieces (11%), and wet wipes (8%). Differences in litter density and composition were observed according to the land use (urban, agricultural, natural, urban park) of the area surrounding the monitoring stations. Riverbanks included in urban parks presented the highest litter densities. They were characterised by the high presence of litter from recreational activities (glass bottles, cigarettes, caps, and pull tabs), suggesting uncivil behaviour by visitors. The findings of this study allow for the identification of litter sources and underscore the importance of citizen science in filling information gaps since no previous data on litter on riverbanks in Italy were available.

Seasonal prevalence and geographical distribution of claw health in dairy cows: Investigation of the causal relationship with breed.

Claw disorders in dairy cattle represent a significant challenge, affecting animal welfare and farm productivity. This study investigates the prevalence, severity, and breed-specific responses of various claw lesions across 4 dairy breeds, Simmental, Alpine Grey, Reggiana, and Valdostana over different seasons and regions in Italy. A total of 131 farms and 2,223 animals were evaluated, consisting of 1,239 Simmental, 457 Alpine Grey, 221 Reggiana, and 306 Valdostana cows. Logistic regression models were used for the associations between breed and season and the occurrence of specific claw lesions. Our findings reveal that breed can be a critical determinant of claw disease incidence, with Simmental exhibiting a notably higher prevalence of slight-severity lesions (73.59%) compared with Alpine Grey (64.87%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.66). More critically, larger herd sizes are associated with increased odds of moderate (OR = 2.33) and high-severity lesions (OR = 4.95), highlighting the urgent need for effective hoof-management practices. Seasonal variations further underscore the need for targeted management strategies, because heel horn erosion and white line disease peak during warmer months. Regional analyses uncovered significant variability, with Trentino-Alto Adige reporting the highest incidence of heel horn erosion (76.99%) and sole hemorrhage prevalent in Lombardia (65.11%). This study emphasizes the importance of understanding breed-specific susceptibilities and regional risk factors in developing effective prevention and management strategies for claw disorders in dairy herds, particularly to mitigate the risks associated with moderate- and high-severity lesions.

Are we ready for the application of the EU Regulation on wastewater reuse in agriculture? A techno-economic preliminary evaluation based on a case-study.

Reuse of reclaimed wastewater (RWW) in agriculture represents one of the key strategies to promote for reducing the pressures on water sources, as also fostered by the EU governance. Indeed, the European Regulation 741/2020 on water reuse, entered into force in 2023, was issued with the aim to extend the reuse of treated water in agriculture under safe conditions. It establishes the minimum quality requirements; it also foresees the possibility to add additional requirements, especially for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), based on "scientific evidence" and the risk assessment. The present study aims at evaluating from both the technical and economic points of view the potential reuse of RWW for irrigating edible crops in a real case study, considering the requirements set by the EU Regulation 741/2020. The Rieti province in the Lazio region of Italy was selected as the case study, since its territory is devoted to agricultural activities which have an important economic impact (e.g. olive trees, potatoes and maize). Firstly, the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) here located were classified based upon the quality of the water produced with respect to the classes listed by the EU Regulation. Then, the nutrients and water demand of the crops grown in the same area were compared with the nutrients and water potentially available through the RWW from the WWTPs. Furthermore, a preliminary assessment was carried out considering only four selected CECs present in the RWW produced by the WWTPs. Combining the quality requirements set by EU Regulation and the results of the preliminary risk assessment, in the investigated territory, there are 17 WWTPs potentially suitable for the irrigation of maize, only 1 plant for potato and 8 plants for olive.

Political leaders as agents in regional development

ABSTRACT The study of agency has received increasing attention in recent years. The focus on change processes at the micro-level has brought new insights into the field of regional development. However, in debates about change and regional development, agents and leaders themselves have received far less attention than agency as a process. We provide an analytical model to show how political leaders and their leadership act as drivers of change through what we call actor properties (i.e., knowledge, networks and resources). We discuss how actor properties interact with the institutional context in which leaders operate and the various transitions from a political leader's legitimacy to the legacy of their political action. Empirical investigations of two peripheral regions in Italy and Norway illustrate how political leaders act as agents of change in geographical areas characterised by different socioeconomic and institutional contexts.

A Spatial Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (SMCDA) to map the risk of avian influenza in Lazio and Toscana (central Italy).

Avian influenza (AI) is a global concern, affecting wild and domestic bird populations worldwide. Environmental conditions facilitating the presence of wild birds and a consistent domestic bird population contribute to the introduction and spread of AI within a territory. This study focuses on the identification of major risk areas for AI in the Lazio and Toscana Regions of central Italy using Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (SMCDA). Through the integration of eleven risk factors regarding domestic bird farms and facilities, wild birds density, water bodies, and roads network, a suitability map for AI introduction and spread was generated. The findings reveal that approximately 30% of Lazio and 20% of Toscana are at high risk for AI introduction and spread. Notably, the implementation of rigorous biosecurity measures in intensive poultry industries has significantly prevented the occurrence of AI outbreaks, even in areas considered at risk. The study emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making in AI risk management, highlighting the potential applications of the SMCDA in prioritizing surveillance efforts and planning control programs. Furthermore, it underscores the need for continuous data updating and comprehensive preventive strategies to address the complex dynamics of AI transmission and safeguard both poultry and human health.

Sustainable Agricultural Transformation: Insights from the Emilia-Romagna Region

Today, Kazakhstan's agricultural industry remains one of the most risk-prone, heavily influenced by adverse weather conditions, volatile market prices, and insufficient infrastructure. The study aims to assess opportunities for enhancing Kazakhstan's agricultural sector's competitiveness through the adoption of smart technologies, drawing lessons from the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. The research employs a combination of comparative analysis and case study methodologies to evaluate the applicability of international best practices in the context of Kazakhstan's agricultural development. The study relies on a variety of data sources, including government reports, international case studies, and performance metrics from both Kazakhstan and the Emilia Romagna Region. The findings demonstrate that integrating technologies such as IoT, robotics, and blockchain can improve productivity, sustainability, and market attractiveness in the agricultural sector. The study also highlights the need to enhance farmer and manager competencies and promote family businesses and cooperatives. By adopting these strategies, Kazakhstan could address the existing challenges in its agricultural sector, reduce vulnerabilities, and create a more robust agro-industrial ecosystem. Future research should focus on developing specific pilot programs that apply these integrated approaches at a regional level, as well as assessing the long-term impacts of digital and sustainable practices in enhancing the competitiveness of Kazakhstan's agricultural sector.

Determinants of the economic burden of ART on the Italian NHS: insights from the Lombardy region

With the rising spread of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), it becomes imperative to understand the determinants of resource utilization in ART versus spontaneous pregnancies to enhance policies directed to pregnancy care. The focus of our study is to examine the costs associated with ART from the perspective of the Italian NHS and to investigate in depth the contributing social and clinical factors.Using the healthcare informative system of Lombardy, a Region of Northern Italy, we gathered individual-level information for a cohort of women who experienced either spontaneous pregnancies or pregnancies following ART from 2007 until 2020. The information covered multiple healthcare services, and we used a propensity score matching technique to match couples of ART/No ART women based on a comprehensive set of confounders. We then applied statistical tests and regression models to identify the impact of ART on the reported cost differences.Our cohort was composed of 44652 women and results revealed significantly higher costs for ART pregnancies, especially in terms of hospital admissions (additional 1611€, 95% CI 1558-1666) and drug prescriptions (additional 216 €, CI 95% 204-228) occurring before delivery. In-depth analysis showed for ART pregnancies, i) a higher likelihood of incurring expenses related to complications and ii) higher costs associated with two established clinical practices that lack scientific evidence supporting their efficacy.Our study sheds light on the complex interplay of clinical and social factors influencing the ART burden, emphasizing the importance of tailored support and evidence-based practices in optimizing outcomes and resource allocation.

What is the Current Knowledge and Experience on Preventive Pathway for Healthy Ageing in Italy? A Scoping Review.

Worldwide population is ageing rapidly. Lifestyle factors are essential targets for leading to behaviour change interventions that promote healthy aging. We performed a scoping review aimed to underline the current knowledge and experience on preventive interventions for healthy and active ageing in Italy. Secondly, it intended to study the manner in which this country will pursue the topic in this research area. The search was conducted on different databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus on July 25th, 2023, and search results were filtered to include only articles published from 2003. A total of 951 potentially relevant records were retrieved. After duplicates removal, 810 unique records were screened. Finally, four studies fulfilling established criteria were included. All the studies were conducted in the northern and central regions of Italy. The investigated populations were older adults, and all four studies were focused mainly on primary prevention and health promotion strategies based on self-efficacy and motivation of the participants, including physical activity, diet and cognitive training. In addition, two studies used mobile health technologies to deliver the preventive intervention for healthy ageing. Our scoping review underlines the limited knowledge and experience of preventive healthy aging interventions in the national setting. The new preventive pathway that promotes healthy ageing healthily should be based on tailored lifestyle interventions, managed by multidisciplinary teams with the use of digital tools, in order to improve older people's safety. The characteristics of the settings are still not clear.

The Impact of Seasonal Variations in Rainfall and Temperature on the Performance of Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Context of Environmental Protection of Lake Como, a Tourist Region in Italy

This study investigates the impact of extreme weather conditions on the performance of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Como, Italy, in terms of influent (inf) and effluent (eff) quality parameters. During winter (October–December), the average temperature was 8.76 °C ± 11.43 °C, with 7.01 mm rainfall, while summer (May–September) averaged 23.24 °C ± 6.2 °C with 5.2 mm rainfall. Despite seasonal variations, the pH levels remained consistent. Phosphorus removal by the WWTP was efficient, with the winter influent averaging 4.16 ± 5.53 mg/L, the winter effluent averaging 0.33 ± 1.06 mg/L, the summer influent averaging 3.53 ± 2.9 mg/L, and the summer effluent averaging 0.31 ± 0.75 mg/L. The COD and BOD5 levels showed seasonal trends, with a higher winter-influent COD (450.43 ± 560.56 mg/L) than in summer (410.96 ± 302 mg/L). These higher winter values of effluent may be due to lower biological activity at cooler temperatures, affecting the efficiency of organic matter breakdown and treatment. The winter influent BOD averaged 249.57 ± 220.42 mg/L, with the winter effluent being 2.95 ± 2.04 mg/L, while the summer influent BOD was 214.44 ± 345.5 mg/L and the summer effluent was 3.01 ± 7.5 mg/L. The TSSs and Total-N showed similar seasonal patterns, with there being slight decreases in the TSSs removal efficiency during warmer months. Although microplastic pollution was not directly analyzed in this study, wastewater treatment plants play a crucial role in mitigating microplastic contamination. Despite rainfall influencing the phosphorus and organic load concentrations, the studied plant maintained over 90% pollutant removal efficiency, demonstrating resilience and compliance with regulatory standards. The WWTP’s consistent COD and BOD5 reductions highlight its robust performance amid climate variations

Identifying NH3 emission mitigation techniques from farm to field using a Bayesian network.

This study addresses the challenge of reducing ammonia (NH3) emissions from agriculture by evaluating various mitigation techniques. The research utilized a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) to integrate quantitative data on NH3 volatilization reduction with qualitative stakeholder perceptions, aiming to identify the best available techniques (BATs) that balance environmental, economic, and socio-cultural factors for farmers in the Veneto region of Italy. The BBN framework established probabilistic dependencies between variables related to livestock, crop type, manure storage, fertilization management, and pedo-climatic conditions. Stakeholder opinions were quantified through a value elicitation process and combined with the BBN to create an integrated Influence Diagram (ID). Results indicated that effective NH3 reduction requires a comprehensive approach across the entire agri-livestock supply chain. Based on the results obtained, no single technique clearly emerged as the primary focus, rather various areas would require improvement across the agri-livestock supply chain. However, if prioritizing techniques were necessary, efforts should concentrate on stable management of infirmary animals (HCInf), overcrowding reduction by decreasing the number of animals on densely populated farms (OC-Animal), and optimization of protein in animal ration (FDProt). These measures should be combined with effective manure application through slurry injection (INJSlu) in the field. Stakeholders showed reluctance towards more expensive or innovative methods, indicating that socio-cultural perceptions and economic feasibility can heavily influence the adoption of new technologies although they proved to be among the most environmentally effective. The primary insight from applying the BBNs was that selecting effective techniques necessitates a multi-perspective approach to foster consensus among stakeholders throughout the agri-livestock supply chain.

A Multi-Criteria GIS-Based Approach for Risk Assessment of Slope Instability Driven by Glacier Melting in the Alpine Area

Climate change is resulting in significant transformations in mountain areas all over the world, causing the melting of glacier ice, reduction in snow accumulation, and permafrost loss. Changes in the mountain cryosphere are not only modifying flora and fauna distributions but also affecting the stability of slopes in those regions. For all these reasons, and because of the risks these phenomena pose to the population, the dentification of dangerous areas is a crucial step in the development of risk reduction strategies. While several methods and examples exist that cover the assessment and computation of single sub-components, there is still a lack of application of risk assessment due to glacier melting over large areas in which the final result can be directly employed in the design of risk mitigation policies at regional and municipal levels. This research is focused on landslides and gravitational movements on slopes resulting from rapid glacier melting phenomena in the Valle d’Aosta region in Italy, with the aim of providing a tool that can support spatial planning in response to climate change in Alpine environments. Through the conceptualization and development of a GIS-based and multi-criteria approach, risk is then estimated by defining hazard indices that consider different aspects, combining the experience acquired from studies carried out in various disciplinary fields, to obtain a framework at the regional level. This first assessment is then deepened for the Lys River Valley, where the mapping of hazardous areas was implemented, obtaining a classification of buildings according to their hazard score to estimate the potential damage and total risk relating to possible slope instability events due to ice melt at the local scale.

From Home Kitchens to School Canteens in Pandemic Italy: Bridging Family Food Habits and School Meals in the Sign of Sustainable Food Policies

The study examines the relationship between the eating habits of the families of children attending primary school and the appreciation of the meals served in school canteens during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. The analysis focuses on the disruptive effects of the lockdowns imposed from March 2020 onwards to contain the spread of the virus. Restrictions to mobility had an impact on family routines, changing eating habits, meal schedules, and food preparation. The extended time spent at home, combined with distance learning and the closure of school canteens, had a lasting impact on children, particularly on their attitudes toward food and their appreciation of school meals after reopening. Through qualitative and quantitative research into the eating habits of 592 families of 1092 pupils attending primary schools in different regions of Italy during the pandemic, this study highlights the influence of adult eating habits on children’s appreciation of food and allows critical insights into the sustainable school food policies implemented at the time. The findings provide a basis for advocating an alliance between schools and families to promote food education and address deficiencies in collective catering policies, which may hold strategic potential, especially during the ecological transition.

SA58 Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccination Coverage of Infants, Children, &amp; Adolescents in Different Regions in Italy: A Retrospective Administrative Database Study

SA58 Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccination Coverage of Infants, Children, &amp; Adolescents in Different Regions in Italy: A Retrospective Administrative Database Study

Floating Photovoltaic Systems in Italy: Challenges and Future Prospects in an Uncertain Regulatory Framework

Abstract In recent years, floating photovoltaics (FPV) has emerged as a highly promising solution for integrating renewable energy production into the global energy landscape. This innovative technology involves the installation of solar panels on floating platforms, offering a number of advantages over traditional land-based photovoltaic systems. First and foremost FPV enables the use of existing water surfaces, such as artificial reservoirs, lakes, and basins, thereby overcoming limitations related to the availability of agricultural or urban land. This feature is particularly pertinent in geographic contexts characterised by high population density and limited land availability, as is the case in many regions of Italy. Furthermore, floating photovoltaics offer a number of additional environmental benefits. The shading effect of the solar panels on the water surface significantly reduces evaporation, thereby preserving a valuable resource like freshwater, which is particularly important in areas prone to drought. Additionally, the natural cooling effect of the water enhances the efficiency of the photovoltaic panels, increasing the production of electricity.