Tuscany Italy Research Articles

Media and Natural Disasters: Organising Storytelling in the Age of Climate Change

Starting on 2 November 2023, some territories in the Region of Tuscany in Italy were hit by exceptionally intense meteorological and calamitous events. The Region of Tuscany’s government was immediately at the forefront of relief, assisting the population, and aiding restoration. On 3 November, a national state of emergency was declared due to flooding. Journalistic communication is an essential aspect of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. In terms of protecting people and reducing damage, journalists and the media have an important role to play. This article reports an Italian case study analysing the behaviour of local media in cases of natural disaster. Nine focus groups were conducted with local journalists covering the flood emergency. The results highlight the role of social and institutional mediation, rather than mere dissemination, played by the local press in emergency situations, a central element in the construction of a community bond, precisely in moments of insecurity and disorientation. The narration of a disaster from the inside seems to have allowed the emergence and representation of hitherto unknown social realities in Tuscany. The goal of the news coverage was widened, making it possible to respond better to the diverse interests of the reading public and to satisfy in a short time and exhaustively the information needs of individual communities in difficulty.

Superimposed structures, incremental strain and deformation path from field data to modelling: A case study from the Alpi Apuane metamorphic core complex (NW Tuscany, Italy).

In this study, superimposed folds and antitaxial strain fringes are investigated to unravel the deformation path of the core zones of the Alpi Apuane metamorphic complex (northwest Tuscany Italy). Detailed field mapping combined with microstructural analyses is used together with computer-modelling of a complex strain fringe system to disclose the main steps of the Alpi Apuane syn-metamorphic deformation history. A comparison between natural investigated fibres and those produced by paraffine wax experiments provides details of the relative core-object-fringe rotation allowing new insight on the growth kinematics of strain fringes. The results of our analyses show that our composite fringe system is characterized by a first set of fibres to be related with the main composite axial planar foliation of regional scale isoclinal non-cylindric folds. This first set of fibre fringes records a local non-coaxial strain with an absolute core-object rotation (relative to an external reference frame represented by the main foliation) of 140° and a calculated shear strain (γ) of about 4. The second set of fringes, developed after the tilting of the main foliation and the first fringe-set in a sub-vertical orientation, records a lower absolute rotation of the core-object (25°), a lower shear strain (γ) of about 1.4 and a coaxial strain associated with the vertical shortening. This part of the composite fringe system and the related structures may relate to the switch from the crustal scale contractional regime to the extensional one, which characterized the development of the inner northern Apennines orogen.

A Data-driven approach to renewable energy source planning at regional level

ABSTRACT A correlation analysis based on Markowitz Portfolio Theory and data from meteorological station are used to develop a decision-making tool for the optimal spatial installation of renewable energy sources from Wind turbines and PV panels. A case study involving power generation plants and weather stations in the region of Tuscany in Italy is developed. The results show that temporal correlations of solar and wind generation profiles are characterized by correlation and anticorrelation. This feature is used for supporting decision-making on investments in renewable energy at the territorial level.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION AS A PREREQUISITE FOR THE GROWTH OF REGIONAL LABOR MARKETS: ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN EXPERIENCE

Abstract. The aim of the article is to study the best foreign practices and models of public-private partnership in the field of vocational and higher education, identify opportunities for their adaptation to Ukrainian realities and develop recommendations for productive use of foreign experience in this area. The theoretical significance of the article is that it is analyzed the semantic content of the basic concepts related to public-private partnership in the foreign scientific space; it is identified the prerequisites for the development of public-private partnership in vocational education abroad (at the national, institutional (vocational education institution), production (enterprise) levels; it is analyzed the challenges to vocational education and training in foreign countries which the public-private partnership is aimed to solve; criteria for typification of partnerships (number of participants, areas of partnership, integrated criterion «project financing — provision of educational services», integrated criterion «breadth of partnership and depth of interaction between partners», integrated criterion «degree of coordination of interaction — volume of investment») are identified; the author’s typology of partnerships in the field of education in foreign countries is substantiated.The practical significance of the article is that the authors developed recommendations for deepening public-private partnership in vocational and higher education institutions of Ukraine based on the study of foreign experience, suggested directions for its further development in Ukraine. It is determined that in the foreign conceptual and terminological field, in addition to the concept of «public-private partnership» uses a number of concepts (Private Finance Initiative, PFI) (UK), Service Provision Project (SPP) (Mexico), Alternative Financing and Procurement (Canada), Private Sector Participation (PSP) (World Bank). The common essential features of these concepts are singled out: cooperation of different stakeholders, complexity of the purpose, focus on the result, parity of responsibility, long-term nature of interaction, formality of relations. Criteria for distinguishing types of partnerships in foreign practice are proposed: number of participants, areas of partnership, integrated criterion «project financing — provision of educational services», integrated criterion «breadth of partnership and depth of interaction between partners», integrated criterion «degree of coordination of interaction — volume of investment». The peculiarities of the types of partnerships in vocational education, which were singled out on the basis of the criteria proposed by the authors, are characterized: bilateral and multilateral; infrastructure, private management of public institutions, outsourcing of educational services, outsourcing of non-educational services, innovation and research partnerships, vouchers and subsidies; private initiatives, sponsorship, mixed projects, government programs; broad partnership, in-depth partnership; liberal, solidarity, paternalistic, consortium types of partnerships. Based on the analysis of the best practices of public-private partnership, the probable effective directions of public-private partnership in the field of vocational and higher education in Ukraine were singled out: strengthening the participation of companies in the processes of professional training; outlining a clear and concise division of responsibilities in the partnership; development of national standards of vocational education; gradual introduction of elements of dual education; promoting the prestige of vocational education as an attractive alternative to academic education; facilitating the learning trajectory between vocational and higher education; forecasting skills. It was developed recommendations for the development of public-private partnership in the field of vocational and higher education in Ukraine in the context of: formalization of interaction (conclusion of agreements and memorandums of partnership), management of interaction (establishment of qualitative and quantitative indicators for monitoring the activities of private providers and vocational education institutions; periodic reviews of vocational education institutions to bring them in line with the standards set in the contract), development of partnership effectiveness (clear criteria for quality and effectiveness), technologicalization of interaction (in particular, use of algorithm of of interaction between vocational education institutions and partners for public-private interaction initiatives). The need to study such models of partnerships in the field of education as the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany, the Sectoral Council for Industrial Training (Canada), centers of excellence in vocational education (Netherlands), industrial centers or clusters (Tuscany in Italy and Baden-Württemberg in Germany), the National Skill Development Corporation (India) was actualized. Keywords: public-private partnership, vocational education, education, foreign experience, best practices, efficiency, effectiveness. JEL Classification I21, L33 Formulas: 0; fig.: 0; tabl.: 0; bibl.: 18.

Lombard weapons from Fiesole, Tuscany (6th – 7th century C.E.): old archaeological data for new considerations

The article focuses on the analysis of seven Lombard weapons datable between the end of 6th and the 7th century C.E. and present in the Archaeological Museum of Fiesole, in the north-eastern area of Tuscany in Italy. These objects, only partially published, and coming both from the Lombard necropolis of Area Garibaldi and from unknown contexts, have been compared with similar materials on national scale of the 6th-7th century C.E. and represent a relevant term of archaeological analysis for the transition between Late Antiquity Era and Lombard domination in Fiesole.

Ecological Assessment for Spatial Planning: The Case of Southern Tuscany, Italy

ABSTRACT The study concerns a methodology of assessment that aims to detect the prior objectives relative to nature conservation in an extended area.of Tuscany in Italy. In particular, we designed a model to assess ecological value (EV) and ecological sensitivity (ES) that together define the hotspots of ecological attention (HEA) areas; we design a model to assess anthropic pressure (disturbance) (AP), which together with ecological sensitivity define the hotspots of ecological fragility (vulnerability) (HEF) areas. The results of the work confirm the robust-ness of the method and its application in the scope of extended area planning and environmental assessment.

Waste services' performance assessment: The case of Tuscany, Italy

This paper assesses the performance of waste services in the region of Tuscany in Italy. It adopts non-parametric techniques for this purpose. Furthermore, it investigates the influence of the operational environment on the estimated performance by using the robust order-m technique. Meaningful levels of inefficiency were found in the Italian waste services. A specification of the ownership of the operator entrusted with waste management by municipalities and the formal adoption of the zero-waste strategy are included as environmental variables.The study concludes that the influence of the operational environment is a determinant of performance. The income per capita is negatively associated with efficiency, while population density is positively associated. Furthermore, efficiency levels are lower for municipalities with higher mixed waste per capita produced. Improving good pro-environmental behaviours is likely to improve efficiency and, thus, tariffs. The empirical results support the idea that it is necessary to make relevant organizational decisions that imply higher costs to increase the refuse collection rate. An increase in the separate collection rate beyond 50% is associated with the reduction of the efficiency level reached. Efficiency analysis does not consider the additional costs and the opportunities for municipalities to get revenues by selling them as secondary raw materials. Besides, the adoption of a zero-waste strategy is related to higher efficiency in MSW service provision. Finally, results about the ownership issue support the idea that privatization is not necessarily associated with the performance improvement of the waste services.

Mediating the form and direction of regional sustainable development: The role of the state in renewable energy deployment in selected regions

This paper analyses and critically discusses the role of regions in implementing renewable energy (RE) policies, examining the relationship between state policy and RE deployment. Using evidence from four case study regions, Apulia and Tuscany in Italy and Wales and Scotland in the UK, the paper teases out some differences in terms of regional competencies to implement RE policies across the two countries. The national governments in both Italy and the UK have constructed regulatory and governance relationships to orchestrate and reorder economic, social and ecological challenges and devolve responsibilities at the sub-national level. This has offered an opportunity for the peculiarities of regional setups to be taken into account and regions have contributed towards the promotion of green and sustainable path development via the route of promoting RE deployment. The paper argues that the downscaling and distribution of responsibility in the cases investigated reflect the capacity and willingness of nation states to respond to and mediate the strategic goals and outcomes formulated at national and international levels. Nevertheless, while the regions investigated display differences in their incentives, capacities and capabilities to increase RE deployment, their ability to act is very much influenced by nation states, stressing the important role of the state in mediating the form and direction of RE deployment.

Functional Molecules in Locally-Adapted Crops: The Case Study of Tomatoes, Onions, and Sweet Cherry Fruits From Tuscany in Italy.

The human diet is characterized by highly energetic molecules, but it also requires non-energetic compounds that are equally useful for cell functioning and for preserving the organism's health status. These “functional” molecules are represented by a wide variety of plant secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, vitamins and polyphenols with antioxidant power. Widespread commercial crop varieties often contain scarce levels of functional molecules, because they have been mostly selected for productivity, rather than for the content of secondary metabolites. Different scenarios (global economic situation, foreseeable environmental changes) are pushing farmers to review the use of high yield crops and to focus on the valorization of locally-adapted plants. This renewed interest is strengthened by the growing need of consumers for functional foods with beneficial effects on human health and by the willingness to promote sustainable low-input agricultural practices exploiting local climate, soil, water, and (micro)biota. Here, we want to discuss a specific case study concerning locally-adapted crops in Tuscany (Italy). Analyses of nutraceutical molecules in locally-grown crop varieties (namely tomatoes, sweet cherries and onions) have shown that they are characterized by substantially higher functional molecule contents than commercial varieties. Our goal is to promote the high-throughput study of locally-adapted varieties to understand, in a medium-term perspective, whether the cultivation of such plants is a valuable support for the diet and an adequate local economic resource. Such plants can provide a boost to the regional economy, by diversifying the local crop-market landscape. Moreover, the exploitation of locally-grown plants results in the manufacture of fully-traceable products (from the raw bioresource to the finished product) with a “0 km” concept that minimizes the C footprint.

Hormone-immunotherapy in endocrine dependent metastatic breast cancer patients

Insoluble and inactive protein aggregates known Hormone therapy is advised for ER+ metastatic breast cancer patients due to its efficacy concomitant with low toxicity; however, in most patients the occurrence of resistance is a not well yet understood hurdle to overcome. In these patients, during clinical benefit (CB) from conventional anti-estrogens, the addition of cycles of sequential immunotherapy could prolong the benefit and delay the arising of acquired hormone resistance. In order to validate this hypothesis, in 1992 we started an open exploratory clinical trial. Forty-two of these patients in CB during first line anti-estrogen salvage therapy also received beta-interferon (INF-beta) 3,000,000 IU i.m./day 3 days/week for 1-4 weeks and successively recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) 3,000,000 IU s.c./day 3 days/week for 5-8 weeks until progression. The immunotherapy cycle lasted 10 weeks and the patient continued anti-estrogen alone during 9-10 weeks, the 11th week being the first week of the successive cycle. At each control visit, routine laboratory examinations and serum measurement of a CEA, TPA, CA15.3 tumor marker (TM) panel were carried out, and an immunological assessment was made (total lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+, NK cells, T-reg, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNFa, TGFbeta1 and IFNgamma). The addition of INF-beta-IL-2 sequence significantly prolonged clinical benefit and overall survival from conventional antiestrogens. During CB as opposed to progression, a significant immune stimulation was observed. During CB also a significant CEA, TPA, CA15.3 decrease occurred 24–72 h after interleukin-2 administration. At the progression a significant increase for CEA and for all three markers (standardized values) was found 24–72 h after interleukin-2 administration. In patients who survived less than five years, the Treg cell increase occurred at a significantly shorter time interval than in those who survived longer than five years (20 vs. 45.5 months, respectively; P=0.001). To further confirm these promising results, a multicenter prospective phase II trial is going to be launched by the Cancer Center Institute of Tuscany in Italy. Note: This work was presented in Joint Event on 22nd Edition of International Conference on Immunology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases & 12th Edition of International Conference on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine during May 10-11, 2018 Frankfurt, Germany

Combining Multifunctionality and Ecosystem Services into a Win-Win Solution. The Case Study of the Serchio River Basin (Tuscany—Italy)

Post-war development—characterized by intensive processes of urbanization, concentration of agriculture on the most fertile lands, and abandonment of mountainous and marginal areas—brought about negative environmental and socio-economic consequences. They have been particularly severe in terms of increase of hydrogeological risk, which is high in most Italian regions. Over time, there has been an increasing awareness of the multiple functions played by agriculture in terms of provision of Ecosystem Services (ES), which contribute fundamentally to human well-being. In particular, some ES provided by farmers may help to reduce the hydrogeological risk of territories prone to landslides and floods. In this framework, the paper presents as a case study the project “Farmers as Custodians of a Territory.” This project was implemented in the Serchio River basin, Tuscany (Italy), and combines a multifunctional farm strategy of diversification with the provision of Ecosystem Services related to the hydraulic and hydrogeological protection of the river-basin territory. Although this case study should be read within the framework of the theories of agricultural multifunctionality and ES provision, it nevertheless took a very pragmatic and innovative approach, which differentiates it from most of the case studies given in the literature. Results of our analysis show that, by involving farmers as custodians of the territory, it is possible to reach a “win-win” solution characterized, on the one hand, by better services for the community at a lower cost for the Land Reclamation Consortia involved with hydrogeological risk prevention, thus improving the effectiveness and efficiency of ES provision; and on the other hand, by improving the economic situation and survival chances of local farms.

Policy interventions on children and physical activity: Lazio and Tuscany in Italy

Intervention aim The stewardship interventions in Italy were devoted to two local policies. In Lazio Region, Municipaliadi, the intervention was as sports competition for school children, promoted by the Municipality of Rome integrating education and physical activity. A Delphi-like working group on knowledge and research translation into policy making was used by …

Surface-subsurface structural architecture and groundwater flowof the Equi Terme hydrothermal area, northern Tuscany Italy

A multidisciplinary integrated approach was used to study the structural architecture influencing the circulation pattern of geother -mal fluids in the Equi Terme area (NW Alpi Apuane, Tuscany). Geological-structural surveys were carried out to define the structural setting of the area and to characterize geometries and kinematics of fault systems. Chemical (major components) and isotopic analyses (δ18O‰, δ2H‰, 3H, δ13C‰[DIC], δ34S‰[SO4]) were performed on thermal water and cold springs. A geophysical survey was also conducted by means of both Magnetotelluric and Electrical Resistivity Tomography methodologies, in order to gain insight into the resistivity distribution at depth and to indirectly image the subsurface structure. This multidisciplinary approach proved to be a powerful tool, since it unravels the complexity of this natural geothermal system and provides useful suggestion for reconstructing the fluid circulation outflowing at the Equi Terme thermal spring. Results pointed out how the E-W oriented fault system (the Equi Terme Fault) play a key role in controlling the thermal groundwater outflow, and the chemical-physical features of this resource. This structural lineament separates high permeability carbonate complexes (footwall), in which both shallow and deep flow paths develop, from a medium-low permeability succession (hangingwall) that contains evaporitic formations from which thermal water acquires a high salinity and a composition of the Na-Cl (Ca-SO4) type. During the uprising along the fault system, the thermal water is also affected by a mixing with shallow fresh-cold waters that lead to a strong seasonal variation in the chemical-physical properties of the thermal springs.

Contrasted invasion processes imprint the genetic structure of an invasive scale insect across southern Europe.

Deciphering the colonization processes by which introduced pests invade new areas is essential to limit the risk of further expansion and/or multiple introductions. We here studied the invasion history of the maritime pine bast scale Matsucoccus feytaudi. This host-specific insect does not cause any damage in its native area, but it devastated maritime pine forests of South-Eastern France where it was detected in the 1960s, and since then reached Italy and Corsica. We used population genetic approaches to infer the populations' recent evolutionary history from microsatellite markers and Approximate Bayesian Computation. Consistent with previous mitochondrial data, we showed that the native range is geographically strongly structured, which is probably due to the patchy distribution of the obligate host and the limited dispersal capacity of the scale. Our results show that the invasion history can be described in three successive steps involving different colonization and dispersal processes. During the mid-XXth century, massive introductions occurred from the Landes planted forest to South-Eastern France, probably due to transportation of infested wood material after World War II. Stepping-stone expansion, consistent with natural dispersal, then allowed M. feytaudi to reach the maritime pine forests of Liguria and Tuscany in Italy. The island of Corsica was accidentally colonized in the 1990s, and the most plausible scenario involves the introduction of a limited number of migrants from the forests of South-Eastern France and Liguria, which is consistent with an aerial dispersal due to the dominant winds that blow in spring in this region.

Qualitative weather radar mosaic in a multisensor rainfall monitoring approach

A method is presented for integrating the information available in a limited area (corresponding to Tuscany in Italy) coming from satellite sensors, point measurement stations and ground-based radars. The objective is the exploitation of the complementary information provided by the variety of methods and instruments nowadays existing for measuring precipitation or precipitation-related parameters, in order to upgrade the capability of reconstructing weather phenomena of main interest. Ground- and satellite-based measurements, working locally or remotely, are jointly analyzed to evaluate how heterogeneous data can amplify the effectiveness of the measurements, when synergically analyzed, and this holds also when some of the available instruments essentially give just qualitative information. A way to synthesize the different information provided by various instruments is presented, assessing the quality of all the available observations. Namely, steps are described for the achievement of a mosaic of qualitative weather radars, and it is shown how the joint analysis of satellite, rain gauge and lightning observations can support a correct interpretation of precipitation phenomena. Finally, a logical scheme for data integration is presented and discussed.

A Uniform Procedure for Reimbursing the Off-Label Use of Antineoplastic Drugs According to the Value-for-Money Approach

National healthcare systems as well as local institutions generally reimburse numerous off-label uses of anticancer drugs, but an explicit framework for managing these payments is still lacking. As in the case of on-label uses, an optimal management of off-label uses should be aimed at a direct proportionality between cost and clinical benefit. Within this framework, assessing the incremental cost/effectiveness ratio becomes mandatory, and measuring the magnitude of the clinical benefit (e.g. gain in overall survival or progression-free survival) is essential.This paper discusses how the standard principles of cost-effectiveness and value-for-money can be applied to manage the reimbursement of off-label treatments in oncology. It also describes a detailed operational scheme to appropriately implement this aim. Two separate approaches are considered: a) a trial-based approach, which is designed for situations where enough information is available from clinical studies about the expected effectiveness of the off-label treatment; b) an individualized payment-by-results approach, which is designed for situations in which adequate information on effectiveness is lacking; this latter approach requires that each patient receiving off-label treatment is followed-up to determine individual outcomes and tailor the extent of payment to individual results.Some examples of application of both approaches are presented in detail, which have been extracted from a list of 184 off-label indications approved in 2010 by the Region of Tuscany in Italy. These examples support the feasibility of the two methods proposed.In conclusion, the scheme described in this paper represents an operational solution to an unsettled problem in the area of oncology drugs.

Arsenic and polymetallic anomalies in the Neogene-Quaternary sequence of La Botte borehole in the Scarlino Plain (Grosseto) Southern Tuscany Italy

Arsenic and polymetallic anomalies in the Neogene-Quaternary sequence of La Botte borehole in the Scarlino Plain (Grosseto) Southern Tuscany Italy

Nucleotide variability of Toscana virus M segment in strains isolated from clinical cases

Toscana virus (TOSV), a member of the Bunyaviridae family, is an important etiologic agent of neurologic infection transmissible to humans by bites of the Phlebotomus spp. In consideration of the variations in the antigenic properties of Bunyaviruses and their potential genetic variability, we analysed a large region (2500 nt) of the Toscana virus M segment coding for the non-structural protein (NSm) and the G N and G C glycoproteins in several strains isolated from patients with meningitis from 1998 to 2004 in the region of Tuscany in Italy. The sequences were compared with the reference strain of Toscana virus isolated from phlebotomus (ISS Phl. 3) and revealed some changes in amino acids, particularly in the G C protein, that are probably involved in recognition and binding to the cell receptor. The analyses were aimed at identifying the amino acid changes commonly to all of the clinical isolates potentially related to TOSV virulence.

The meteorological conditions associated with extreme fire risk in Italy and Greece: relevance to climate model studies

The meteorological conditions associated with elevated and extreme long- and short-timescale forest fire risk are investigated by validating and diagnosing the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) in the context of Tuscany in Italy, and Thessaloniki, Athens and Heraklion in Greece. The aim is to provide information to assist diagnosing experiments that use output from climate models to calculate FWI values. Links are made from fire risk to the widely used FWI, and then to the underlying meteorology, complementing other more complex fire risk model studies. First, the information about Mediterranean fire risk provided by the FWI is assessed by comparing the observed number of fires per day with FWI values based on the locally observed meteorology. This shows that the FWI provides some relatively consistent information for different locations, and suggests useful FWI thresholds indicating elevated and extreme fire risk. Then, the FWI system is split according to contributions from long- and short-timescale components, in a different way than usually adopted in the literature. Using the FWI thresholds suggested above, the long- and short-timescale meteorological conditions causing elevated and extreme FWI values are diagnosed. The results may help studies that investigate what aspects of projected climate change drive changes in fire weather risk, compare fire risk calculations from different climate models, or assess how climate models can be improved to provide better fire risk projections.

The contribution of networks to immigrant insertion into the informal economy

PurposeThis article seeks to explain the role of networks in facilitating immigrant insertion into the labour market.Design/methodology/approachParticipant observation and semi‐structured interviews were conducted in Tuscany in Italy with immigrants working in the agricultural, building and family care sectors.FindingsNetworks have been discovered to play some role in providing information on vacancies but a less important role in providing guarantees to employers. Unlike much previous research, therefore, this study does not find that co‐ethnic networks enable new immigrants to find jobs in the informal economy.Originality/valueThis is one of the few contemporary empirical studies on immigrants in the informal economy in Italy and the role that networks play in gaining entry.