Sardinian Region Research Articles

Garden Snail Predatory Insects' Modus Operandi Under Laboratory Conditions.

Heliciculture farms are susceptible to significant biotic issues that can impact snail breeding, among them, the entomofauna predation of snails. Predatory insects can cause damage to snail shells during predation, and sometimes, the specific type of damage may be characteristic of certain insect families or species. Under laboratory conditions, we analysed the predatory activity of the species Silpha tristis Illiger, 1798 (Coleoptera: Silphidae), Ocypus olens (Müller, 1764) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Carabus (Macrothorax) morbillosus constantinus Kraatz, 1899 (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and Lampyris sardiniae Geisthardt, 1987 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) against the gastropod Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) reared on snail farms located in the Sardinian region. The adult and larval stages of each species were tested, except for L. sardiniae, as only the larval stage preys upon snails. This study showed that among all of the species considered, only two insects were able to damage the shell of C. aspersum: C. morbillosus constantinus and O.olens. This may prove valuable in C. aspersum breeding for the recognition of specific lesions, even in the absence of the predator.

Threshold-based Naïve Bayes classifier

The Threshold-based Naïve Bayes (Tb-NB) classifier is introduced as a (simple) improved version of the original Naïve Bayes classifier. Tb-NB extracts the sentiment from a Natural Language text corpus and allows the user not only to predict how much a sentence is positive (negative) but also to quantify a sentiment with a numeric value. It is based on the estimation of a single threshold value that concurs to define a decision rule that classifies a text into a positive (negative) opinion based on its content. One of the main advantage deriving from Tb-NB is the possibility to utilize its results as the input of post-hoc analysis aimed at observing how the quality associated to the different dimensions of a product or a service or, in a mirrored fashion, the different dimensions of customer satisfaction evolve in time or change with respect to different locations. The effectiveness of Tb-NB is evaluated analyzing data concerning the tourism industry and, specifically, hotel guests’ reviews from all hotels located in the Sardinian region and available on Booking.com. Moreover, Tb-NB is compared with other popular classifiers used in sentiment analysis in terms of model accuracy, resistance to noise and computational efficiency.

Hospital differences in rates of cesarean deliveries in the Sardinian region: An observational study

Background: The rates of cesarean deliveries have been increasing steadily in several European countries in recent decades, with Italy having the second-highest rate (38% in 2010), causing concern and debate about the appropriateness of many interventions. Moreover, some recent studies suggest that rates of common obstetric interventions are not homogeneous across hospitals, maybe not only because of patient case mix but also possibly because of different hospital practices and cultures. Thus, it is important to investigate whether the variation in rates of cesarean sections can be traced back to patient characteristics or whether it depends upon context variables at the hospital level.
 Objective and method: Using official hospital abstracts on deliveries that occurred in Sardinia over a two-year period, we implement multilevel logistic regression models in order to assess whether the observed differences in cesarean rates across hospitals can be justified by case-mix differences across hospitals.
 Results: The between-hospital variation in rates of cesarean delivery is estimated to be 0.388 in the model with only the intercept and 0.382 in the model controlling for the mother’s clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.
 Conclusions: The results show that taking into account the individual characteristics of delivered mothers is not enough to justify the observed variation across hospital rates, suggesting the important role of unobserved variables at the hospital level in determining cesarean section rates.

Mapping of Ecological Corridors as Connections between Protected Areas: A Study Concerning Sardinia, Italy

According to the European Commission, green infrastructure and spatial connectivity concerning the provision of ecosystem services are strictly related to the conceptual category of ecological networks. In particular, regional and urban planning processes should adequately manage, improve and monitor the effectiveness of green infrastructures as ecological networks which provide ecosystem services and the spatial connectivity of such systems. Building on a methodological approach defined in previous studies, this article aims at identifying ecological corridors through a least-cost path model with reference to the spatial layout of a set of protected areas. Moreover, such a methodological approach is implemented in the context of the Sardinian region to map ecological corridors, which form, together with protected areas, a network representing the spatial framework of regional green infrastructure. Finally, the study discusses the relation between ecological corridors and the spatial taxonomy of the landscape components featured by environmental relevance, identified by the Regional Landscape Plan, through multiple linear regression analysis, in order to assess if, and to what extent, the present regional spatial zoning code can be used as a basis to implement regulations aimed at protecting ecological corridors. This methodological approach is relevant to defining planning policies and measures to strengthen the operational capacity and effectiveness of regional networks of protected areas through the protection and the improvement of the spatial framework of ecological corridors.

The role of risk communication in radon mapping, risk assessment and mitigation activities in Sardinia (Italy)

Abstract. In 2014, the Sardinian Regional Department of Hygiene, Health and Social Security promoted the Regional Prevention Plan, which embraced the protection of the population from exposure to indoor pollutants, including radon gas. The programme foresaw: the drafting of “Guidance for the construction/renovation of buildings”; radon monitoring and mapping activities during a dedicated campaign based on geological surveying; a radon health impact assessment; community involvement and a radon risks communication campaign. The objectives of the programme were focused to protect Sardinian population from radon risk, with special reference to vulnerable and susceptible subjects, spread knowledge about risks and the opportunities to reduce them. Using a Health Impact Assessment procedure, the number of attributable deaths was estimated based on radon exposure levels, also visible as preventable events by implementing preventive actions. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the activities carried out, with specific reference to the use of communication to develop each action, to understand strengths and weaknesses and the lessons to be applied in Sardinia and other areas. Monitoring and evaluation results indicate that the health of populations living in radon-exposed areas can be significantly improved by reducing exposure to radon and synergistic risk factors. It is essential to strengthen awareness-raising events using historical and acquired knowledge, and to monitor progress in order to reinforce further actions, as these schemes should be planned for the long term, with central coordination and continuous evaluation. The case of radon risk management and communication in Sardinia offers a number of suggestions and lessons learned, both for the continuation of the work that is expected to be very intense in the coming years, and for the problems that may arise in other regions and countries affected by radon risk.

The regional cycle network of Sardinia: upgrading the accessibility of rural areas through a comprehensive island-wide cycle network

ContextCycling is a climate-friendly means of transport that enables people to reduce their use of motorized transport and makes human settlements more inclusive and resilient. In Italy, the development of cycling has recently been boosted by the approval of Law no. 2/2018, which makes it compulsory for all Italian regions to draw up a regional cycling mobility plan.ObjectiveTo meet this regulatory provision, the Region of Sardinia approved the Regional Plan for Cycling Mobility in December 2018. Drawn up by the Sardinian Regional Transport Agency and the transportation research group of the University of Cagliari, the plan aims to lay out a regional cycle network to promote the use of the bicycle as a means of transport for both every day and tourist–recreational needs. One of the main objectives of the plan is to make the inland areas of the island more accessible, as the development of such areas tends to have been neglected compared to the coastal areas linked to seaside tourism. Hence, the plan intends to contribute to the increase of tourist flows into rural areas, which can be a strategic segment of local development.ResultsBy analysing the methodology adopted to lay out Sardinia’s regional cycle network, the aim of the current paper is to show how the planning of an integrated cycle network in an island context can improve sustainable mobility and accessibility in the rural areas through which it passes. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that many rural settlements along the routes of the planned cycle network are sufficiently near each other for people to travel between them by bicycle.ConclusionsTherefore, the cycling infrastructure could prompt a sustainable increase in the accessibility and connectivity of inland areas and stimulate the formation of clusters of small, interconnected towns and villages.

2019 Major trauma case studies of a hub in the Sardinian region: a comparison with national data

2019 Major trauma case studies of a hub in the Sardinian region: a comparison with national data

Planning of a Smart Local Energy Community: The Case of Berchidda Municipality (Italy)

Recent strategic policies and regulations dealing with market liberalization and decarbonization plans, such as the European directives contained in the recent EU Clean Energy for All Europeans Package, are seeking to promote new roles for citizens in the management of the self-produced renewable energy and the development of local energy markets. In this context, this paper aims at presenting the planning actions for the transition of the current passive distribution system of the Municipality of Berchidda (Italy) towards a smart local energy community. This planning study represents the first stage of a development action financed by the Sardinian Region, whose Regional Energetic and Environmental Plan identifies the Municipality of Berchidda as a priority area to focus the experimental actions for innovative smart grids and intelligent energy management. The project, named “Berchidda Energy 4.0”, focuses on increasing the energy efficiency of the community by boosting local renewable generation production and maximizing its self-consumption, also with the support of storage systems, as well as increasing the active involvement of the consumers that will be equipped with a smart home automation system for demand response applications.

Combining water supply and flood control purposes in the Coghinas Basin (Sardinia, Italy)

ABSTRACTThe increased level of impact on life and infrastructure and the environment caused by flooding in Sardinia (Italy) has resulted in the need for the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP). The FRMP has been developed by Sardinian Region Administration that selected the Coghinas Basin (North Sardinia) as a pilot basin in according with the EU and National legislation. Recently, the European Flood Directive 2007/60/CE has stated that the flood-risk evaluation should include a cost–benefit analysis and an integrated decision-making tool should help optimize operating rules for multipurpose reservoirs, primarily with regard to the mitigation of flood risks and high priority demand supplies, and selected flood control works. The main purpose of this study was to develop an integrated flood management model to predict flood inundation in the flood-prone areas for various probabilities of occurrence, identify the flood operating rules in a multipurpose reservoir which accomplish a reduction in flood risk, and assess the total damage due to flooding. The FRMP is currently assessing the impacts of new reservoir operating rules reservoir and new works for flood damage mitigation. Based on a calibrated benefit–cost analysis, the proposed model suggested the best scenario of reservoir operating rules and flood control works with a significant saving of money compared to the actual scenario in the FRMP.

A Blockchain Approach Applied to a Teledermatology Platform in the Sardinian Region (Italy)

The use of teledermatology in primary care has been shown to be reliable, offering the possibility of improving access to dermatological care by using telecommunication technologies to connect several medical centers and enable the exchange of information about skin conditions over long distances. This paper describes the main points of a teledermatology project that we have implemented to promote and facilitate the diagnosis of skin diseases and improve the quality of care for rural and remote areas. Moreover, we present a blockchain-based approach which aims to add new functionalities to an innovative teledermatology platform which we developed and tested in the Sardinian Region (Italy). These functionalities include giving the patient complete access to his/her medical records while maintaining security. Finally, the advantages that this new decentralized system can provide for patients and specialists are presented.

Assessing background values of chloride, sulfate and fluoride in groundwater: A geochemical-statistical approach at a regional scale

The Sardinia island (Italy) is one of the European areas least affected by potentially anthropogenic impacts, such as spreading urbanization, intensive agriculture and regional atmospheric contamination. Such characteristics allow to consider Sardinia a good site for testing an approach that integrates geochemical tools, hierarchical cluster and geographical information system, aimed at estimating background concentrations of chloride, sulfate and fluoride at the regional scale.Analytical data were obtained from several hydrogeochemical surveys and from the groundwater-monitoring program established by the Sardinian Regional Government. Groundwater samples were grouped according to their circulation in the predominant hydrogeologic complex: Quaternary sediments, Quaternary basalts, Tertiary sediments, Tertiary volcanic rocks, Mesozoic carbonatic rocks, Paleozoic carbonatic rocks, granitic rocks and metamorphic rocks.Samples surely affected by anthropogenic inputs, thermal waters, waters collected at wells with unknown construction details and poor quality analyses were excluded. The resulting dataset included 1414 groundwater sampling sites distributed over an area of 24,090km2 (All data). Another dataset comprised of 641 sampling sites (Selected data) was derived by All data excluding the groundwater with NO3−>10mg/L. Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed on both datasets considering Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, HCO3−, SO42−, NO3− and F−. The values of total dissolved solids (TDS) were a major distinguishing factor among clusters, but distinct signatures related to the median nitrate and fluoride concentrations were also recognized. The geographic distribution of clusters reflected the role of geological and geographic characteristics on the geochemistry of groundwater.Background ranges of the regulated parameters chloride, sulfate and fluoride in each cluster, identified either using All data or Selected data, were calculated using the median±2MAD. Although results were found in general agreement, the threshold using the median+2MAD was calculated using the Selected data only, because the Selected data better represents near pristine conditions. Chloride threshold values above the drinking water limit were mainly observed in groundwater located in western Sardinia, where sediments and volcanic rocks prevalently outcrop, and also in some coastal areas. Threshold values of sulfate and fluoride above the limit were related to local conditions. Specifically, high threshold values of sulfate were observed in groundwater interacting with the Tertiary volcanic rocks that host known sulfide mineralization and at sites where evaporitic deposits occur. Threshold values of fluoride above the limit were often observed in the areas where fluoride mineralization occurs. High fluoride values may also result from cation exchange and/or supersaturation with respect to calcite.The results of this study indicate that the integration of hierarchical clustering analysis with the geochemical characteristics of groundwater, also taking into account the geological context, allow the repartition of groundwater samples in distinct hydrogeochemical groups, which in turn allow to calculate the background ranges and reliable threshold values in groundwater. This approach can be applied to assess the background concentrations of chemical parameters at a regional scale when a large dataset is available.

Towards a regional urban agenda: approaches and tools

During the 2014–20 programming period concerning European structural and investment (ESI) funds, the urban dimension has assumed considerable importance within European Union Cohesion Policy. This shift aims at guaranteeing more coherence between European challenges and urban planning, and at using European funding in a more efficient way. The definition and implementation of an urban agenda has become a prerequisite to meet the objectives of sustainable economic development based on an integrated approach to urban policy. From this conceptual perspective, the collaboration and coordination efforts between different levels of government represents a key element. Therefore, the implementation of models of multilevel governance could promote sustainable and socially inclusive growth of European cities, and greater involvement and coordination of urban areas within decision-making processes. This paper addresses the integrated approach to sustainable urban development through a critical analysis of the implementation of integrated territorial investments (ITIs) in the case study of the Sardinian region of Italy to investigate whether ITI could serve as a tool for pursuing/implementing the urban agenda.

The crisis of the landscape, the crisis of the norms for the landscape, the planning of the landscape between uncertainty and second thoughts. A few basic issues

Landscape planning is the result of a complex and coordinated effort. The interpretation of the idea of Landscape by the Urban Planning discipline is clearly facing some hardship. In Italy, the tools of the Landscape planning currently in effect (Landscape and Cultural Heritage Code  L.D.42/2004 and subsequent revisions) include a not flexible and straightforward series of rules.At present the landscape planning discipline is facing a rethinking of its models due to the inadequacy of its founding standpoints and of some ideologically manufactured claims based in turn on a specious conception of identity. This is proven by the fact that several regional plans are having a very hard time to apply basic rules and regulations to the practicality of the planning at a local level.In order to better explain the above mentioned points, we are going to present the case of the Sardinian Regional Landscape Plan (SRLP) in which several critical issues reveal themselves and converge as they stem from the uncertainly of the rules and are consequently accompanied by seriously negative outcomes.

Spatial distribution and multiannual trends of potentially toxic microalgae in shellfish farms along the Sardinian coast (NW Mediterranean Sea).

In this study, the geographical distribution and multiannual trends of potentially toxic harmful algal species (HAS)were analysed at 18 mussel farms in Sardinia (Italy, North-Western Mediterranean Sea) using data derived from the Sardinian Regional Monitoring Programme (1988-2012). The results showed an increasing number of potentially toxic microalgae over the study period. Alexandrium catenella and Alexandrium minutum were the most harmful species detected. From 2002 to 2009, these species caused eight paralytic shellfish poisoning-positive events which temporarily stopped commercial trade of mussels. The statistical analysis indicated that some taxa exhibited temporal increasing trends in their abundance (e.g. Pseudo-nitzschia spp.), significant decrements (e.g. Dinophysis sp.), or both increasing and decreasing significant trends (e.g. A. minutum) at different sites, indicating the necessity of further in-depth studies, especially on certain taxa. Overall, the statistical elaboration of the long-term data provided useful signals for early detection of shellfish contamination by different potentially toxic HAS in defined sites. These signals can be used to develop best management practices.

Environmental monitoring of a Sardinian earthen dwelling during the summer season

Increasing interest in earth architecture has led to the development of new international norms regarding these structures. Although Italy has no specific legislation for this building type, both national laws for the safeguard of rural architecture and regional norms regarding the conservation of historical centers have considerably slowed down the pace of their destruction. This is particularly true for Sardinia, which maintains a conspicuous heritage of "raw earth" architecture, mostly in the old town centers of the Campidano plain and in its adjacent valley. Due to the current legislation on energy efficiency in buildings, it has become essential – particularly for the Sardinian region – to define guidelines for the improvement of energy efficiency for this existing building heritage and identify the best parameters for their energetic classification. Currently, these constructions are heavily penalized by the gap that persists between the requirements of current energy balance evaluations, calculated upon heating and domestic hot water energy demands, and the actual year-round energy performance, which also includes the summer season. Moreover, this building type has a low lifecycle environmental impact, but this aspect is not properly "rewarded" by Italian regulations. The study proposed herein firstly took into account the simulation of the thermal transient characteristics of the adobe wall (brick made of clay, earth and straw, forged with wooden molds and sun dried). Analytical calculations were performed using a transient model, assuming sinusoidal behavior of all the parameters acting on the system. The results showed a high thermal inertia of the material and a good ability in dampening the external thermal wave. Next, we conducted an internal and external environmental monitoring of an existing earthen residential building in Sardinia ("Casa Mancosu", Serramanna, VS), which provided the experimental data for the evaluation of the whole building thermo-physical behavior. The measurements were taken during the 2010 summer season; the dwelling was not cooled by an air conditioning system. Thermal comfort analyses based on these experimental data indicate that the roof is the "weak" component, creating local discomfort due to radiant asymmetry. The described methodology is expected to be applicable also to the many buildings of this geographical area similar to the examined one.

An Ontology of Implementation Plans of Historic Centers: A Case Study Concerning Sardinia, Italy

This paper discusses some key points related to the ontology of implementation plans of historic centers (IPHCs). We study this ontology by discussing its implementation in the context of the provisions of the Sardinian Regional Landscape Plan (RLP), and put in evidence some important general observations, coming from the case study, concerning the utility and effectiveness of the ontological conceptual framework in order to help planners and decision makers understand and structure the assessment process of implementation plans.

Strategic Planning of Municipal Historic Centers. A Case Study Concerning Sardinia, Italy

The conceptual horizon of this essay is related, on the one hand, to the adjustment process of the implementation plans of the historic centers of the municipalities of the Sardinian region to the Regional Landscape Plan (RLP), and, on the other hand, to strategic planning as an important tool to guide land transformations in order to implement effective local development processes. We address these issues through a critical analysis of a set of implementation plans of the historic centers (IPHCs) of Sardinian municipalities adjusted to comply with the rules of the RLP, in the frame work of strategic plans (SPs), in order to assess if, and to what extent, IPHCs are consistent with the strategic planning approach.

Empirical Evidence on Agricultural Land-Use Change in Sardinia, Italy, from GIS-Based Analysis and a Tobit Model

An important part of the Sardinian Regional Operational Programme (ROP) 2000–2006 is represented by the policies funded by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), aimed at maintaining agricultural land uses and improving the quality of agricultural land. Such investments, spread over almost all Sardinian cities, attempted to support local development based on the traditional primary sector of production. This article analyses the investment policies implemented by the Sardinian Region through the 2000–2006 EAGGF-based part of the ROP (2000–2006 ROP-EAGGF), in order to assess their effectiveness. This assessment of effectiveness, implemented in the context of other signals concerning local development such as income and urbanization, is very important to address the ongoing policies of the 2007–2013 Rural Development Programme and the question of geographic concentration of investments. The article analyses the results of the 2000–2006 ROP-EAGGF through a geographic information system, by means of a Tobit model, and proposes an analytical and interpretive approach that can be easily exported to other public planning processes in order to implement investment in agriculture.

Differentials in the regional operational program expenditure for public services and infrastructure in the coastal cities of Sardinia (Italy) analyzed in the ruling context of the Regional Landscape Plan

The planning activity of the Regional Administration of Sardinia (Italy) has undergone a deep change after the approval of the Regional Landscape Plan (RLP), which establishes the directions for nearly any future planning activity in Sardinia, and requires that actual sectoral and local plans, as well as plans for protected areas, be changed to comply with its directions. This mandatory adjustment process can be conflictual, if the administrations responsible for these plans disagree with the rules established by the RLP. With regards to Sardinian coastal cities, this paper analyzes the investment policies for public services and infrastructure implemented by the Sardinian Region through the 2000–2006 Regional Operational Program (2000–2006 ROP-ERDF), in order to assess whether the RLP exerts a negative impact.

Urban development and expenditure efficiency in the 2000–2006 regional operational program of Sardinia

The Sardinian regional operational program 2007–2013 concerning the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (2007–2013 ROP-ERDF) respects the rules of the ERDF on the investments for territorial cohesion since it promotes their regional geographic concentration. These investments are evenly shared between large- and medium-sized urban areas, and disadvantaged zones. This paper analyzes the investment policies implemented by the Sardinian Region through the 2000–2006 ERDF based part of the Regional Operational Program (2000–2006 ROP-ERDF), in order to assess their effectiveness, in terms of expense efficiency, for urban areas and disadvantaged zones. The assessment of the expenditure efficiency of the 2000–2006 ROP-ERDF is very important to address the policies of the 2007–2013 ROP-ERDF in terms of geographic concentration. The essay analyzes the results of the 2000–2006 ROP-ERDF, with reference to the expenditure efficiency of Sardinian cities, represented through a geographic information system, by means of a multinomial logit model. The essay proposes an analytical and interpretive approach which could be easily exported to other public planning processes, in order to define policies for territorial cohesion.