Puglia Region Research Articles

Cultural Event Management and Urban e-Planning Through Bottom-Up User Participation

Cultural events are an important driver of socio-cultural-economic transformation. The growth of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has affected the ways in which people can play an active role in cultural event management and urban planning. This work proposes a methodological approach that identifies the key elements for building bottom-up urban e-planning strategies. After a brief theoretical analysis of the impact of cultural activities, tourism and ICTs on urban planning, this paper presents the results of an empirical study carried out in the Puglia region (south of Italy) during the cultural event known as “La Notte della Taranta”, in which the crowd created added-value information via comments posted on social media. Data were collected using a mobile application specifically created for this event as part of the Folkture project, as well as from Facebook and Twitter posts. Using network-analytic and sentiment/semantic algorithms, the work aims to support the event management decisional process and produce results valuable to the field of urban planning.

Regional assessment of green and blue water consumption for tomato cultivated in Southern Italy

AbstractIn the current regional-scale study, the model DSSAT CROPGRO was applied in order to simulate the cultivation of industrial tomato and to estimate the green water (GW), blue water (BW), blue water requirement (BWR) and water footprint (WFP) through a dual-step approach (with and without full irrigation). Simulation covered a period of 30 years for three climate scenarios including a reference period and two future scenarios based on forecast global average temperature increases of 2 and 5 °C. The spatial patterns of indicators relating to the whole territory of Puglia region (Southern Italy), characterized by the high evaporative demand of the atmosphere, are discussed and analysed. Considering the climatic pattern, the analysis was developed for three areas (Northern, Central and Southern). Future scenarios affected all indicators significantly, particularly the Northern area, characterized by higher temperature and rainfall anomalies. Under the A5 scenario, compared with the baseline, this area was forecast to have a large increase of BW (+30%) and reduction in yield (−20%). As a consequence, the BWR and WFP were predicted to increase dramatically, up to 40 and >65%, respectively. On the other hand, Central and Southern areas, with lower anomalies of temperature and rainfall, were forecast to be less vulnerable to climate change. The distributed analysis performed could be important for water policy, allowing most efficient allocation of scarce water resources and concentrating them where the WFP is lowest, or in other words, water use efficiency is highest.

‘War against the mosquito’: Allies, Italians and malaria during the occupation of Puglia, 1943–1946

War and healthcare are inextricably linked. In fact, the prevalence of disease in the armed forces can inflict more damage than the enemy. The case of endemic malaria during the Italian campaign of 1943–1945 in the Second World War is an excellent example. The region of Puglia was one of the most malarial regions in Italy and provides a noteworthy case of Anglo-American endeavours to eliminate the mosquito during the Second World War. The high prevalence of endemic malaria in the area represented a substantial threat to the health of Allied forces and as a result to the Allied war effort. This article explores Allied efforts to protect both Italian civilians and Allied troops from malaria, in order to demonstrate how Allied health policies affected the Allied–Italian relationship.

Nomenclatural notes and typifications in Campanula versicolor (Campanulaceae) and related names

Campanula versicolor is a member of the Campanula pyramidalis complex. It is distributed in the southern Balkan Peninsula, with a small disjunct range in SE Italy (Puglia and Basilicata administrative regions). Due to its high morphological variability, 17 taxa have been described (at specific and infraspecific level). However, the taxonomic status of these taxa is not clear. In modern floristic literature and checklists they are considered as synonyms within broadly defined C. versicolor. Considering the fact that misinterpretations of their taxonomy in floras and checklists might be caused by unresolved nomenclatural issues, after studying the original material from relevant herbarium collections, we designated lectotypes or epitypes for the following names: C. corymbosa, C. planiflora, C. plasonii, C. rosanii, C. tenorei, C. versicolor, C. versicolor f. mrkvickana, C. versicolor subsp. thessala subvar. lancifolia, C. versicolor var. rosanii, C. versicolor var. thessala, C. versicolor var. thessala f. tomentella, C. versicolor var. tomentella and C. willdenowiana. Note on the already typified C. mrkvickana is also provided.

Fruit-set and SSR markers of fig cultivars from Puglia region, Southeastern Italy

Fruit-set and SSR markers of fig cultivars from Puglia region, Southeastern Italy

A risk assessment framework for irrigated agriculture under climate change

Abstract In several regions, but especially in semi-arid areas, raising frequency, duration and intensity of drought events, mainly driven by climate change dynamics, are expected to dramatically reduce the current stocks of freshwater resources, limiting crop development and yield especially where agriculture largely depends on irrigation. The achievement of an affordable and sustainable equilibrium between available water resources and irrigation demand is essentially related to the planning and implementation of evidence-based adaptation strategies and actions. The present study proposed a state-of-the art conceptual framework and computational methodology to assess the potential water scarcity risk, due to changes in climate trends and variability, on irrigated croplands. The model has been tested over the irrigated agriculture of Puglia Region, a semi-arid territory with the largest agricultural production in Southern Italy. The methodology, based on the Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) approach, has been applied within a scenario-based hazard framework. Regional climate projections, under alternative greenhouse gas concentration scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and for two different timeframes, 2021–2050 and 2041–2070 compared to the baseline 1976–2005 period, have been used to drive hydrological simulations of river inflow to the most important reservoirs serving irrigation purposes in Puglia. The novelty of the proposed RRA-based approach does not simply rely on the concept of risk as combination of hazard, exposure and vulnerability, but rather elaborates detailed (scientific and conceptual) framing and computational description of these factors, to produce risk spatial pattern maps and related statistics distinguishing the most critical areas (risk hot spots).. The application supported the identification of the most affected areas (i.e. Capitanata Reclamation Consortia under RCP8.5 2041–2070 scenario), crops (fruit trees and vineyards), and, finally, the vulnerability pattern of irrigation systems and networks. The implemented assessment singled out future perspectives of water scarcity risk levels for irrigated agriculture by the administrative extent where individual bodies are in charge of the coordination of public and private irrigation activities (i.e. Reclamation Consortia). Based on the outcomes of the proposed methodology, tailored and knowledge-based adaptation strategies and related actions can be developed, to reduce the risk at both agronomic level (i.e. preferring crops with low vulnerability score, as olive groves) and at structural level (i.e. differentiating the water stocks and supplies and reducing losses and inefficiencies).

Variability modes of precipitation along a Central Mediterranean area and their relations with ENSO, NAO, and other climatic patterns

This study analyses a century-long set of precipitation time series in the Central Mediterranean (encompassing the Greek Ionian and the Italian Puglia regions) and investigates the statistically significant modes of the interannual precipitation variability using efficient methods of spectral decomposition. The statistical relations and the possible physical couplings between the detected modes and the global or hemispheric patterns of climatic variability (the El Niño Southern Oscillation or ENSO, the North Atlantic Oscillation or NAO, the East Atlantic or EA, the Scandinavian or SCAND, and others) were examined in the time-frequency domain and low-order synchronization events were sought.Significant modes of precipitation variability were detected in the Taranto Gulf and the southern part of the Greek Ionian region at the sub-decadal scales (mostly driven by the SCAND pattern) and particularly at the decadal and quasi-decadal scales, where strong relations found with the ENSO activity (under complex implications of EA and NAO) prior to the 1930s or after the early-1970s. The precipitation variations in the Adriatic stations of Puglia are dominated by significant bi-decadal modes which found to be coherent with the ENSO activity and also weakly related with the Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperature intrinsic variability. Additionally, important discontinuities characterize the evolution of precipitation in certain stations of the Taranto Gulf and the Greek Ionian region during the early-1960s and particularly during the early-1970s, followed by significant reductions in the mean annual precipitation. These discontinuities seem to be associated with regional effects of NAO and SCAND, probably combined with the impact of the 1970s climatic shift in the Pacific and the ENSO variability.

The table grape 'Victoria' with a long shaped berry: a potential mutation with attractive characteristics for consumers.

Puglia is the most important region in Italy for table grape production. Since consumers look for new products, the number of table grape varieties has greatly increased in recent years. In a survey in the Puglia region, we identified several years ago a potential mutation of the cv. Victoria. We described this accession in comparison with the standard Victoria for some amphelographic traits. All the characteristics were very similar to the standard Victoria except for the berry shape, which was significantly more elongated. Moreover, the berry of the mutated Victoria showed higher firmness, lightness and chroma than the standard one, with a more intense yellow colour of the skin (appreciated by consumers). The molecular characterisation with 25 SSR markers showed that normal and mutant Victoria were genetically identical at all the analysed loci, thus suggesting that the two accessions could be considered as clones with the difference in berry shape probably due to a somatic mutation. This mutation of the cv. Victoria may have interesting perspective for the market since consumers are always attracted by different shape and colour of the fruits (consumers buy with eyes). This accession can be an alternative clone of the already known standard Victoria. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

L'alternance des voyelles moyennes en coratin : une analyse basée sur la théorie des éléments

AbstractCoratino is a dialect spoken in the region of Puglia, in which there is a process of vowel reduction: all unstressed vowels except /a/ are reduced to schwa. However, this reduction does not happen when a vowel is adjacent to a consonant that shares a melody element, such as palatality for front vowels and velarity or labiality for back vowels. In addition, the ATR property of the mid vowels alternates: stressed /ε,ɔ/ are realized as [e,o] in unstressed positions, and /o,ɔ/ surface as [u] only when the adjacent consonant is velar. The analysis of this alternation is based on a version of Element Theory, and also on the licensing constraints that on the one hand define the specific choice a language makes among the combinatory possibilities, and on the other hand play a role in defining the properties of the phonological processes in the language.

The APULIA HF multicenter study: efficacy of a management protocol shared between hospital and territorial health services for acute decompensated heart failure patients

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of a management model to reduce hospitalizations in patients recently admitted for acute decompensated heart failure. The management model was based on a close integration between hospital and territory health services. Clinical evaluation, ECG, echocardiographic findings, total body bioimpedance and brain natriuretic peptide serum levels were used to assess clinical stability of patients at discharge and during follow-up. A dedicated nurse (care manager) was involved in patient empowerment, telephone follow-up, check of adherence to therapy and clinical conditions, and management of scheduled evaluations. All hospitalizations occurring prior to or after enrolment in the municipalities involved in the study were considered, as well as the hospitalizations occurring among enrolled patients. A total of 301 patients were enrolled, 226 of them from the Centers of the Puglia Region, Italy. An overall reduction of 6% in total hospitalizations with DRG 127 was observed; the reduction was most evident in the two centers with the smaller reference population (-16% and -26%, respectively). In the group of patients enrolled, an overall reduction in hospital admissions was observed after comparing the period before and after enrolment. A significant increase in the prescription rate of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and aldosterone antagonists was also observed. Finally, an overall reduction in the costs for patient management was demonstrated. Similar results were obtained in the two additional Centers of the Basilicata and Lazio Regions. An integrated management between hospital and territory allows optimization of the management of heart failure patients, with improvement of therapy and reduction in hospitalizations and management costs.

Critical aspects of radon remediation in karst limestone areas: some experiences in schools of South Italy

The final results of radon monitoring in 438 schools located in the province of Lecce (Puglia Region, South Italy) showed an average radon concentration of 215 ± 20 Bq m−3 and that 7% of schools exceeded 500 Bq m−3, the current Italian action level for radon in workplaces, and consequently required remedial actions. The activity described in the present paper includes the main elements of the remediation project in a subgroup of school buildings. The main radon control systems adopted were sub-slab depressurization (in 57% of schools) and the active ventilation of the crawlspace (in 21% of schools). This experience allows us to put in evidence relevant critical aspects, such as the influence of the karstic nature of the area, the optimization of remediation, the architectural constraints in the case of buildings of architectural or historical interest, which are discussion herein. Moreover, considering the new reference level for radon in workplaces introduced by the new EU Basic Safety Standards, a new analysis of data, achieved in the first survey, highlighted that 20% of schools need to be remediated.

Tourist experiences in rural tourism: a case study from Puglia Region

The offer of tourism experiences is an important factor for the sustained development of tourism destinations. Although there is no established definition of tourism experiences, both tourists and the tourism sector consider that these are essential to provide memorable moments for visitors. This paper includes two groups of studies: firstly, a conceptual approach on the tourism experiences. Secondly, investigate the public aid role into multifunctional farms in natural and rural areas in Puglia Region (Southern Italy). The aims of this investigation are to establish a defining characterisation of the demand and supply of tourism experiences, as well as if there is a solid support of public aid to agrotourism. The results show that the stakeholders consider the potential for development of tourism experiences as significantly higher than the supply. As alternative, the role of e-tourism could be an alternative important to maximise their efficiency and effectiveness.

Tourist experiences in Rural Tourism: A case study from Puglia Region

The offer of tourism experiences is an important factor for the sustained development of tourism destinations. Although there is no established definition of tourism experiences, both tourists and the tourism sector consider that these are essential to provide memorable moments for visitors. This paper includes two groups of studies: firstly, a conceptual approach on the tourism experiences. Secondly, investigate the public aid role into multifunctional farms in natural and rural areas in Puglia Region (Southern Italy). The aims of this investigation are to establish a defining characterisation of the demand and supply of tourism experiences, as well as if there is a solid support of public aid to agrotourism. The results show that the stakeholders consider the potential for development of tourism experiences as significantly higher than the supply. As alternative, the role of e-tourism could be an alternative important to maximise their efficiency and effectiveness.

First records of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in Lake Varano and in the Salento Peninsula (Puglia region, SE Italy), with review of the current status in southern Italy

First records of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in Lake Varano and in the Salento Peninsula (Puglia region, SE Italy), with review of the current status in southern Italy

Effects of soil and climate in a table grape vineyard with cover crops. Irrigation management using sensors networks

The use of mulches in vineyards and orchards is a traditional agricultural practice used with the aim of saving moisture, reducing weed growth and improving organic matter content in the soil. In table grape vineyards trained to overhead system in Puglia region (Southeastern Italy), plastic sheets covering the canopy are often used to either advance ripening or delay harvest. In this environment, the living mulches could contribute to the modification of the microclimate around the canopy below the plastic sheets. This condition has an influence on the climatic demand and on both the vegetative and productive activities, mainly in stages with a high evapotranspiration. However, the presence of living mulches could increase the demand of available water and nutrient resources and this could cause a lower yield. The aim of this study was to acquire a suitable knowledge to manage irrigation and verify the influences of living mulches on the vine by using wireless sensor networks to measure the vapor pressure deficit, soil water potential and content.

From technological to social innovation: objectives, actors, and projects of the European rural development program (2007-2013) in the Puglia region

In Europe, innovation is widely considered a key factor in a region’s economic growth and competitiveness, although its social and cultural dimensions are often overlooked. In this sense, the LEADER approach represents an emblematic change. The interpretation of innovation is significant with regard to the strategies and governance models implemented, especially on a local scale. As such, the role of innovation and knowledge in the development of territories is important in regions of the Convergence Objective, and particularly in rural areas. In Puglia, the rural development strategy allocates a higher amount of financial resources on axes 3 and 4 of the rural pillar of the common agricultural policy; therefore, it gives great importance to governance. Incorporating a literature review, this article aims to understand the interpretation of innovation and its declination at the local level through the analysis of main regional programming documents for the period spanning 2007-2013. It focuses on initiatives and projects led by local action groups (LAGs) of the LEADER program.

Who "apparently" more spends, "in reality" spends less. Spending "a little" more for the rental of the extracorporeal lithotripter can save "a lot" about the days of hospitalization for urinary stones.

The right to health (according to the Article 32 of the Italian Republic Constitution) is financially conditioned; for this reason the National Health System (NHS) has the objective of rationalize health expenditure according to the criteria of efficiency, effectiveness and economy. This paper is an example of rationalization concerning the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Hospital admissions for urinary stones were taken into account. "Edotto", the database of the Puglia region has identified 23 inpatient admissions during which was performed ESWL. A single operator performed ESWLs with a Storz lithotripter, Modulith SLK. The average hospital stay is conditioned by days "to wait" lithotripsy. In 2014 the hospitalization days "waiting for" lithotripsy were 100. The results were subjected to SWOT analysis and discussed with the Boston Consulting Group Matrix. Constant availability of the lithotripter would spare 100 days of hospitalization, amounting to € 88,200.00. This waste of resources corresponds to an additional cost equal to 98.3% on the cost for the rental of the lithotripter. Instead, reducing "unnecessary" hospitalization days would get a saving of 79.3% on the rental cost. It is as if for 46 days of the lithotripter rent were paid 46 days, while for 365 days of the lithotripter rent were paid only 11.8 sessions per year. Rationalization of resources is not necessarily a synonym of "reduction" of resources, but of reduction of waste in the NHS. A good plan is the most important rational basis to get more resources. About the process taken into account it is seen as an investment of € 21,450.00 would keep unchanged the effectiveness of lithotripsy service but would add efficiency and economy (increase of sessions/year, increase in the active mobility, increase in orthopedic treatments) and would drastically reduce the number hospital days (a waste).

Aflatoxin B1 contamination in feed from Puglia and Basilicata regions (Italy): 5years monitoring data.

During a 5-year period from 2010 to 2014, n = 919 samples of feed and raw materials were analyzed for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination using accredited ELISA screening methods. Only 0.76% of these samples were non-compliant with maximum levels set by the European Union Regulation 32/2002. Non-compliant samples were mainly from the province of Bari (n = 3 samples, mean AFB1 value 7.03μg/kg), although the highest AFB1 levels were found in two samples from the provinces of Foggia and Brindisi, at 32.6±3.6μg/kg and 31.0±4.0μg/kg, respectively. Mean AFB1 levels in samples contaminated but compliant with the limits ranged from 1.4 to 2.2μg/kg. Considering the great importance of climate conditions in mycotoxins production, during crops production and during the critical phases of materials storage and/or transport, to better understand the variability in contamination levels, the analytical results were reviewed in term of temperature and relative environmental humidity in the sampling areas. Correlations between aflatoxin B1 levels in feed and these climate factors might explain seasonal and annual variations in contamination levels. The data from the present study provide useful suggestions for the organization of targeted monitoring plans and the protection of consumers, as well as for improvement in the quality standards of zootechnological activities and feed industry.

Contribution to the knowledge of the coastal vegetation of the SIC IT9110005 “Zone Umide della Capitanata” (Apulia, Italy)

An overview of the coastal vegetation of Site of Community Importance “Zone Umide della Capitanata” (Puglia Region) is here presented. Original relevés were performed in different locations of the site. On the basis of the in-field observations (142 original relevés) and of literature data, 44 plant communities have been defined, belonging to the following classes: Lemnetea minoris, Ruppietea maritimae, Potametea pectinati, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Cakiletea maritimae, Ammophiletea, Helichryso-Crucianelletea maritimae, Juncetea maritimi, Sarcocornietea fruticosae, Saginetea maritimae, Thero-Suaedetea, Tuberarietea guattatae, Nerio-Tamaricetea. For each vegetation unit, the distribution area at local and regional level and the relation to habitat types of the 92/43 EEC Directive are provided.

An integrated geophysical approach for water infiltration detection and characterization at Monte Cotugno rock-fill dam (southern Italy)

This study concerns with an integrated geophysical approach for the detection and spatial-temporal characterization of the water infiltration into the Monte Cotugno dam embankment. This strategic civil infrastructure is the largest rock-fill dam in Europe and represents the nodal point of the water system feeding the Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria regions (southern Italy). Here, we propose an approach based on the combination of geophysical techniques as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) with Thermal-InfraRed mapping (TIR) and geotechnical in-situ measurements. Such an approach was applied for the diagnosis of the Monte Cotugno dam with the aim both to gain information about the geometry of visible micro-fractures in the dam coverage and have a rapid mapping of the dam inner areas affected by water infiltration phenomena. The sensing methods were deployed in a cascade modality, where the Thermal-InfraRed (TIR) method was used for surveying the dam along the overall length in order to achieve information about the dam coverage status. In particular, TIR analysis allowed us to identify five areas affected by significant fractures and coating detachment. Afterwards, GPR surveys were performed on the sloping side of the dam by investigating few areas among those identified by TIR analysis. In this way, it was possible to get indications whether the water infiltration affected the deeper parts of the dam. Lastly, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method was applied in order to detect deeper inner areas affected by water leakages. Finally, a joint interpretation of the three sensing methods was confirmed by shallow boreholes (<20m) drilled over the dam crown, which have evidenced the presence of localised water leakages in the dam. In conclusion, the results are encouraging and the integrated use of non-invasive sensing techniques can be considered an effective tool for the diagnosis and short- and long-term monitoring of critical infrastructures as the Monte Cotugno dam.