Suchergebnisse

My contribution consists in some ethnographic notes taken by a freelance cultural anthropologist living in Turin (capital of Piedmont, in the North-West, one of the regions most affected by Covid19) on the situation of the pandemic in Italy as seen with a very informal participant observation. After a very short chronicle of the lockdown, useful to set the different phases of the lockdown in Italy and the timing of the events, I write about the many issues faced by Italian citizens in the period, from inequality in living the pandemic to grassroots initiatives to answers it, from reclusion conditions in a variety of contexts (house, prisons, retirement houses) to strategies to get out anyway (for good reasons), from stereotypes Italian are (sometimes correctly) perceived abroad to the misunderstanding of the instruction of personal distancing, from the concept of family to that of community. All this reporting my same participation to some initiatives and actions, introducing my reflections and moreover witnessing the irony we used to face the fear.

International audience ; Groundwater contamination by chlorinated hydrocarbons is a worldwide problem that poses important challenges in remediation processes. In Italy, the Legislative Decree 152/06 defines the water quality limits to be obtained during the cleanup process. In situ bioremediation techniques are becoming increasingly important due to their affordability and, under the right conditions, because they can be more effective than conventional methodologies. In the initial feasibility study phase, the numerical modeling supports the reliability of each technique. Two different codes, BIOCHLOR and PHREEQC were discussed and compared assuming different field conditions. Isotopic Fractionation-Reactive Transport Models were then developed in one synthetic and one simple field case. From the results, the two codes were in agreement and also able to demonstrate the Monitored Natural Attenuation processes occurring at the dismissed site located in Italy. Finally, the PHREEQC model was used to forecast the remediation time frame by MNA, hypothesizing a complete source cleanup: a remediation time frame of about 10–11 years was achieved by means of natural attenuation processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a widespread state of uncertainty and disorientation regarding daily practices and beliefs, creating multiple sense-making processes. The purpose of the study, which is part of a larger international research endeavour, is to explore the psycho-social perception of the risk associated with the spread of Covid-19 during the lockdown in Italy (March 9th to May 4th, 2020). 2125 online questionnaire were collected in Italy and analysed with a Cluster Analysis procedure by a hierarchical classification method. We explored differences and peculiarities of the perception and appreciation of the pandemic crisis, perceived risks and resources in terms of individual attitudes, communitarian bonds, politics, beliefs and trust. Four profiles have been identified that refer to different models for assessing the situation and perception of risk; these models operate as affective-cognitive systems of sense-making and interpretation of the events occurring during the lockdown. Main psycho-social implications are discussed.

Italy was the first European democracy to be hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The government's response, especially in the first wave, was confused, dilatory and inadequate, and the country found itself in an unprecedented public health crisis, leading to a national lockdown between March and May. The easing of restrictions in May and an improved situation in the summer did not prevent cases rising again from the autumn onwards, and Italy finished the year in a series of mini-lockdowns. The government was confronted with a debate over Italy's high death toll and the role of the executive's own failings in it. Yet, the pandemic did not prompt a political crisis. Rather, it had the effect of blunting the frontal opposition of the League and strengthening the standing of the government with the public. This especially applied to the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, whose personal ratings soared, as the public rallied behind a leader facing the greatest challenge of any peacetime Italian prime minister.

Groundwater contamination by chlorinated hydrocarbons is a worldwide problem that poses important challenges in remediation processes. In Italy, the Legislative Decree 152/06 defines the water quality limits to be obtained during the cleanup process. In situ bioremediation techniques are becoming increasingly important due to their affordability and, under the right conditions, because they can be more effective than conventional methodologies. In the initial feasibility study phase, the numerical modeling supports the reliability of each technique. Two different codes, BIOCHLOR and PHREEQC were discussed and compared assuming different field conditions. Isotopic Fractionation-Reactive Transport Models were then developed in one synthetic and one simple field case. From the results, the two codes were in agreement and also able to demonstrate the Monitored Natural Attenuation processes occurring at the dismissed site located in Italy. Finally, the PHREEQC model was used to forecast the remediation time frame by MNA, hypothesizing a complete source cleanup: a remediation time frame of about 10–11 years was achieved by means of natural attenuation processes.

The Sassi of Matera (Basilicata region, southern Italy) is a peculiar site, but not unique in Italy, from a landscape point of view. Most of the buildings are excavated in rocks of calcarenite origin and used as homes and accommodation facilities. For this reason, the contribution of gamma radiation to the population due to this building material has been investigated for the first time. Even though the type of rock is not mentioned among the construction materials indicated in Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020 to be subjected to radiological characterization, the methodology indicated in the decree was applied, comparing the values with those present in the literature. The content of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was then investigated with gamma spectroscopy, and the gamma index was calculated. The results obtained showed a low level of activity concentration of natural radionuclides in this type of stone, confirming the radiological safety. This result can also support the recovery and restoration initiatives for these buildings to conserve the architectural and landscape heritage of this village.

Sommario: Attraverso una fonte inedita fonte archivistica locale viene analizzato e ricostruito il contesto politico-istituzionale della Cava importante città demaniale del Mezzogiorno d'Italia durante la seconda metà del XV secolo. ; Resumen: Una fuente de archivo local inédita analiza y reconstruye el contexto político e institucional de Quarry, una importante ciudad estatal en el sur de Italia durante la segunda mitad del siglo XV. ; Abstract: In the south of Italy, State cities (città demaniali) were few under the Angevin and Aragon domination (XIII-XV centuries) and departing from the 1394 Cava was one of them although there worked two types of authorities: royal and feudal. The political and institutional organization of Cava, an important city "demaniale" in the south of Italy is studied by an unpublished local archive source. ; Resumo: Através de uma nova fonte de arquivos locais é analisado e reconstruído o contexto político-institucional do Cava importante cidade "demaniale" de Mezzogiorno d'Italia durante a segunda metade do século XV.

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a widespread state of uncertainty and disorientation regarding daily practices and beliefs, creating multiple sense-making processes. The purpose of the study, which is part of a larger international research endeavour, is to explore the psycho-social perception of the risk associated with the spread of Covid-19 during the lockdown in Italy (March 9th to May 4th, 2020). 2125 online questionnaire were collected in Italy and analysed with a Cluster Analysis procedure by a hierarchical classification method. We explored differences and peculiarities of the perception and appreciation of the pandemic crisis, perceived risks and resources in terms of individual attitudes, communitarian bonds, politics, beliefs and trust. Four profiles have been identified that refer to different models for assessing the situation and perception of risk; these models operate as affective-cognitive systems of sense-making and interpretation of the events occurring during the lockdown. Main psycho-social implications are discussed.

International audience ; Groundwater contamination by chlorinated hydrocarbons is a worldwide problem that poses important challenges in remediation processes. In Italy, the Legislative Decree 152/06 defines the water quality limits to be obtained during the cleanup process. In situ bioremediation techniques are becoming increasingly important due to their affordability and, under the right conditions, because they can be more effective than conventional methodologies. In the initial feasibility study phase, the numerical modeling supports the reliability of each technique. Two different codes, BIOCHLOR and PHREEQC were discussed and compared assuming different field conditions. Isotopic Fractionation-Reactive Transport Models were then developed in one synthetic and one simple field case. From the results, the two codes were in agreement and also able to demonstrate the Monitored Natural Attenuation processes occurring at the dismissed site located in Italy. Finally, the PHREEQC model was used to forecast the remediation time frame by MNA, hypothesizing a complete source cleanup: a remediation time frame of about 10–11 years was achieved by means of natural attenuation processes.

Groundwater contamination by chlorinated hydrocarbons is a worldwide problem that poses important challenges in remediation processes. In Italy, the Legislative Decree 152/06 defines the water quality limits to be obtained during the cleanup process. In situ bioremediation techniques are becoming increasingly important due to their affordability and, under the right conditions, because they can be more effective than conventional methodologies. In the initial feasibility study phase, the numerical modeling supports the reliability of each technique. Two different codes, BIOCHLOR and PHREEQC were discussed and compared assuming different field conditions. Isotopic Fractionation-Reactive Transport Models were then developed in one synthetic and one simple field case. From the results, the two codes were in agreement and also able to demonstrate the Monitored Natural Attenuation processes occurring at the dismissed site located in Italy. Finally, the PHREEQC model was used to forecast the remediation time frame by MNA, hypothesizing a complete source cleanup: a remediation time frame of about 10–11 years was achieved by means of natural attenuation processes.

Three key factors contributed Florence's mid-century reign as Italy's premier fashion city. Chief among them was the active championing of Florence by fashion impresario, Giovanni Battista Giorgini (1898–1971) whose bi-annual fashion shows associated Florence with high style and confirmed Italy's reputation as a source for modish, high-quality clothing. Also crucial was the United States Government's support of the Italian fashion industry; in diplomatic circles, encouraging a flourishing fashion sector was part of an American political strategy to deter communism in Italy. Members of the United States Foreign Service advocated on behalf of the Florence fashion events as part of a wider effort to reestablish Italy as an American economic and political ally. A third factor was the seductive beauty and historic charm of Florence, which Giorgini used strategically to entice guests to his shows and further his aims. These three elements combined to make Florence Italy's one-time fashion capital, from Giorgini's first show in 1951 until Milan took center stage in the 1970s.

It is well-known that atmospheric pollution, first and foremost the particulate matter (PM), causes serious diseases in humans. China's metropolises and Italy's Po Valley have in fact achieved a concerning degree of notoriety thanks to runaway air pollution problems. The spread of viral respiratory diseases is facilitated in polluted environments, an example of which is the respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. In this opinion paper, we consider the possible relationship between air pollution, primarily airborne PM10–2.5, and the spread of the novel coronavirus in Northern Italy. If it is true that the novel coronavirus remains active from some hours to several days on various surfaces, it is logical to postulate that the same can occur when it is adsorbed or absorbed by the atmospheric particulate matter, which may also help carry the virus into the human respiratory system. As the Earth presents us with a very high bill to pay, governments and other authorities need to take prompt action to counter excessive pollution levels, both in Italy and in other countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges globally. Countries have adopted different strategies with varying degrees of success. Epidemiologists are studying the impact of government actions using scenario analysis. However, the interactions between the government policy and the disease dynamics are not formally captured. We, for the first time, formally study the interaction between the disease dynamics, which is modelled as a physical process, and the government policy, which is modelled as the adjoining controller. Our approach enables compositionality, where either the plant or the controller could be replaced by an alternative model. Our work is inspired by the engineering approach for the design of Cyber-Physical Systems. Consequently, we term the new framework Compositional Cyber-Physical Epidemiology. We created different classes of controllers and applied these to control the disease in New Zealand and Italy. Our controllers closely follow government decisions based on their published data. We not only reproduce the pandemic progression faithfully in New Zealand and Italy but also show the tradeoffs produced by differing control actions.

It is well-known that atmospheric pollution, first and foremost the particulate matter (PM), causes serious diseases in humans. China's metropolises and Italy's Po Valley have in fact achieved a concerning degree of notoriety thanks to runaway air pollution problems. The spread of viral respiratory diseases is facilitated in polluted environments, an example of which is the respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. In this opinion paper, we consider the possible relationship between air pollution, primarily airborne PM10–2.5, and the spread of the novel coronavirus in Northern Italy. If it is true that the novel coronavirus remains active from some hours to several days on various surfaces, it is logical to postulate that the same can occur when it is adsorbed or absorbed by the atmospheric particulate matter, which may also help carry the virus into the human respiratory system. As the Earth presents us with a very high bill to pay, governments and other authorities need to take prompt action to counter excessive pollution levels, both in Italy and in other countries.

The European Union (EU) has recently adopted a regulation on invasive alien species that foresees the possibility of developing lists of species of National Concern. We developed a prioritisation process for alien mammals already established in Italy, but not yet included in the EU list (n = 6 species) and a systematic horizon-scanning procedure to obtain ranked lists for those species that are already introduced worldwide or traded in Italy (n = 213). Experts were asked to score these species, by evaluating their likelihood of establishment and spread and the magnitude of their potential impacts on biodiversity, economy, human-health and society. The manageability of each species was also evaluated, both for the proritisation and the horizon-scanning processes. We produced five lists that ranked species according to their potential spread and impacts and their manageability. These will allow policy-makers to select outputs according to a balance between risk assessment and risk management, establishing priorities for alien species management at the national level.