A Step Change in Wild Boar Management in Tuscany Region, Central Italy

In this chapter, reducing the high-density populations of wild boars in an Italian’s Tuscany region is addressed as a measure of controlling crop damage and road accidents. The issue is usually tackled from a technical and rarely sociological point of view, making the proposed and implemented solutions less effective. The results presented in these chapter highlight the importance of awareness of the social context when the technical choices are applied. The management of ungulates creates economic interests that oppose changes that shift the economic balance, even when the actions taken are for the benefit of the entire community’. In the previous decades, the wild boar populations have increased considerably in Italy in the Tuscany region. As a consequence of this phenomenon, damage to crops and road accidents has increased. In 2016, the Tuscany region enacted a law to change the management of ungulates by promoting individualism in unsustainable harvest rate areas, allowing shooting wild boar with stalking and selling the meat and maintaining a corporate approach in sustainable harvest rate areas. In three years of enforcing the law, damage to crops and road accidents have decreased significantly and meet supply chain has started. On the other hand, a strong reaction against this Law by wild boar drive hunters emerged. The region is, consequently, faced with an emblematic case where political intervention in future is inevitable in order to mediate between long-term results and short-term consensus.

Download Full-text

Exceedance of design actions in epicentral areas: insights from the ShakeMap envelopes for the 2016–2017 central Italy sequence

Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering ◽

10.1007/s10518-021-01192-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Iunio Iervolino ◽

Pasquale Cito ◽

Chiara Felicetta ◽

Giovanni Lanzano ◽

Antonio Vitale

Keyword(s):

Earthquake Engineering ◽

Structural Damage ◽

Structural Engineering ◽

Central Italy ◽

Civil Defense ◽

Point Of View ◽

Seismic Sequence ◽

Ground Shaking ◽

Motion Effect ◽

Observed Damage

AbstractShakeMap is the tool to evaluate the ground motion effect of earthquakes in vast areas. It is useful to delimit the zones where the shaking is expected to have been most significant, for civil defense rapid response. From the earthquake engineering point of view, it can be used to infer the seismic actions on the built environment to calibrate vulnerability models or to define the reconstruction policies based on observed damage vs shaking. In the case of long-lasting seismic sequences, it can be useful to develop ShakeMap envelopes, that is, maps of the largest ground intensity among those from the ShakeMap of (selected) events of a seismic sequence, to delimit areas where the effects of the whole sequence have been of structural engineering relevance. This study introduces ShakeMap envelopes and discusses them for the central Italy 2016–2017 seismic sequence. The specific goals of the study are: (i) to compare the envelopes and the ShakeMap of the main events of the sequence to make the case for sequence-based maps; (ii) to quantify the exceedance of design seismic actions based on the envelopes; (iii) to make envelopes available for further studies and the reconstruction planning; (iv) to gather insights on the (repeated) exceedance of design seismic actions at some sites. Results, which include considerations of uncertainty in ShakeMap, show that the sequence caused exceedance of design hazard in thousands of square kilometers. The most relevant effects of the sequence are, as expected, due to the mainshock, yet seismic actions larger than those enforced by the code for structural design are found also around the epicenters of the smaller magnitude events. At some locations, the succession of ground-shaking that has excited structures, provides insights on structural damage accumulation that has likely taken place; something that is not accounted for explicitly in modern seismic design. The envelopes developed are available as supplemental material.

Download Full-text

Sir Lionel Carden's Proposed Agreement on Central America, 1912

The Americas A Quarterly Review of Latin American History ◽

10.2307/978815 ◽

1959 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 291-295

Author(s):

Walter V. Scholes

Keyword(s):

Twentieth Century ◽

Central America ◽

Point Of View ◽

Central American ◽

Economic Interests ◽

Department Of State ◽

Secretary Of State ◽

Early Twentieth Century ◽

Foreign Office

As American economic interests expanded in Central America in the early twentieth century, many British representatives concluded that the Foreign Office would have to devise some method to protect existing British investments against American encroachment. When Secretary of State Knox visited Central America in 1912, he and Sir Lionel E. G. Carden, the British Minister to Central America, discussed Central American affairs when they met in Guatemala on March 16. Knox could scarcely have been very sympathetic as Carden expounded the British point of view, for the Department of State believed that the greatest obstacle to the success of its policy in Central America was none other than the British Minister. As early as April, 1910, Knox had unsuccessfully tried to have Carden transferred from his post; the attempt failed because Sir Edward Grey backed up his Minister.

Download Full-text

Geosystemics and Earthquakes

10.5194/se-2017-120 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Angelo De Santis ◽

Gianfranco Cianchini ◽

Rita Di Giovambattista ◽

Cristoforo Abbattista ◽

Lucilla Alfonsi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dynamical System ◽

Solid Earth ◽

Case Studies ◽

Central Italy ◽

Point Of View ◽

Earth System ◽

Complex Dynamical System ◽

The Earth ◽

Earth’S Interior

Abstract. Geosystemics (De Santis 2009, 2014) studies the Earth system as a whole focusing on the possible coupling among the Earth layers (the so called geo-layers), and using universal tools to integrate different methods that can be applied to multi-parameter data, often taken on different platforms. Its main objective is to understand the particular phenomenon of interest from a holistic point of view. In this paper we will deal with earthquakes, considered as a long term chain of processes involving, not only the interaction between different components of the Earth’s interior, but also the coupling of the solid earth with the above neutral and ionized atmosphere, and finally culminating with the main rupture along the fault of concern (De Santis et al., 2015a). Some case studies (particular emphasis is given to recent central Italy earthquakes) will be discussed in the frame of the geosystemic approach for better understanding the physics of the underlying complex dynamical system.

Download Full-text

Penile fracture: Retrospective analysis of our case history with long-term assessment of the erectile and sexological outcome

Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia ◽

10.4081/aiua.2014.4.359 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 86 (4) ◽

pp. 359 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Nicola Pavan ◽

Giorgia Tezzot ◽

Giovanni Liguori ◽

Renata Napoli ◽

Paolo Umari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Erectile Function ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Point Of View ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Penile Curvature ◽

Penile Fracture ◽

Radiological Investigation ◽

Urinary Disorders ◽

Patient Reported

Objectives: To review the cases of patients with suspected penile fracture and asses erectile and sexological outcomes. Materials and methods: from 1987 to 2013 presented to the Urology Clinic of Trieste and at the AIED of Pordenone a total of 41 cases that were divided into two groups according to the timing of treatment: 18 patients with anamnestic diagnosis of penile fracture treated nonimmediately and 23 patients treated immediately after the trauma. For all patients we evaluated the type of treatment adopted, the occurrence of complications and reoperations and the follow-up. The erectile function was also evaluated through the IIEF, as well as the psychological impact of the trauma on social and sex life, using a psycho- sexological questionnaire. Results: Among patients treated immediately after the trauma 14 were subjected to surgery. About a year after surgery, penile curvature was reported in 1 patient, pain in 3 patients, urinary disorders in 1 patient, while none reported erectile dysfunction (ED). Out of these, only 3 patients underwent reoperation. Among those treated conservatively 1 patient reported curvature, 1 patient reported pain and none reported ED. Among patients who were admitted at a later date, 14 reported curvature and 4 reported pain whereas urinary disorders were reported in 1 and ED in 4 patients. From a psychological point of view, the trauma caused in most cases a fear of new trauma and of repercussions on erectile function and sensitivity. Conclusions: The diagnosis is mainly clinical; however, radiological investigation is essential to confirm the diagnosis, assess the site and extent of the trauma and possible urethral involvement, so as to plan the most appropriate treatment. In addition, immediate treatment leads to better long-term results, with a lower incidence of ED and penile curvature. Psychologically, penile trauma intensifies the fear of reoccurrence; it decreases, however, with the passage of time.

Download Full-text

Leptospira Survey in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Hunted in Tuscany, Central Italy

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9050377 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 377 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Giovanni Cilia ◽

Fabrizio Bertelloni ◽

Marta Angelini ◽

Domenico Cerri ◽

Filippo Fratini

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

Wild Boar ◽

Sus Scrofa ◽

Central Italy ◽

23S Rrna ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Pathogenic Leptospira ◽

Molecular Assays ◽

Realtime Pcr ◽

23S Rrna Gene

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging, worldwide zoonosis, and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are involved in its epidemiology as the reservoir. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Leptospira with serological, bacteriological, and molecular assays in wild boar hunted in Tuscany (Italy) during two hunting seasons. In total, 287 specimens of sera, kidneys, and liver were collected to perform microscopic agglutination tests (MATs), isolation, and RealTime PCR to detect pathogenic (lipL32 gene), intermediate (16S rRNA gene), and saprophytic (23S rRNA gene) Leptospira. Within sera, 39 (13.59%) were positive to the MAT, and Australis was the most represented serogroup (4.88%), followed by Pomona (4.18%), and Tarassovi (3.14%). Moreover, four Leptospira cultures were positive, and once isolates were identified, one was identified as L. borgpetersenii serovar Tarassovi, and three as L. interrogans serovar Bratislava. Pathogenic Leptospira DNA were detected in 32 wild boar kidneys (11.15%). The characterization through the amplification of the rrs2 gene highlighted their belonging to L. interrogans (23 kidneys), L. borgpetersenii (four), and L. kirschneri (one), while nine kidneys (3.14%) were positive for intermediate Leptospira, all belonging to L. fainei. The results of this study confirmed the importance of wild boar in the epidemiology of leptospirosis among wildlife in Central Italy.

Download Full-text

PHOTOGRAMMETRY AS A PARTICIPATORY RECOVERY TOOL AFTER DISASTERS: A GROUNDED FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE GUIDELINES

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences ◽

10.5194/isprs-archives-xlii-2-w15-921-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol XLII-2/W15 ◽

pp. 921-928

Author(s):

C. Pezzica ◽

A. Piemonte ◽

C. Bleil de Souza ◽

V. Cutini

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Central Italy ◽

Semantic Content ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

Point Of View ◽

Humanitarian Response ◽

Central Italy Earthquake ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

Crowdsourced Data ◽

Fit For Purpose

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> This paper identifies the application domain, context of use, processes and goals of low-cost street-level photogrammetry after urban disasters. The proposal seeks a synergy between top-down and bottom-up initiatives carried out by different actors during the humanitarian response phase in data scarce contexts. By focusing on the self-organisation capacities of local people, this paper suggests using collaborative photogrammetry to empower communities hit by disasters and foster their active participation in recovery and reconstruction planning. It shows that this task may prove technically challenging depending on the specifics of the collected imagery and develops a grounded framework to produce user-centred image acquisition guidelines and fit-for-purpose photogrammetric reconstruction workflows, useful in future post-disaster scenarios. To this end, it presents an in-depth analysis of a collaborative photographic mapping initiative undergone by a group of citizen-scientists after the 2016 Central Italy earthquake, followed by the explorative processing of some sample datasets. Specifically, the paper firstly presents a visual ethnographic study of the photographic material uploaded by participants from September 2016 to November 2018 in the two Italian municipalities of Arquata del Tronto and Norcia. Secondly, it illustrates from a technical point of view issues concerning the processing of crowdsourced data (e.g. image filtering, selection, quality, semantic content and 3D model scaling) and discusses the viability of using it to enrich the pool of geo-information available to stakeholders and decision-makers. Final considerations are discussed as part of a grounded framework for future guidelines tailored to multiple goals and data processing scenarios.</p>

Download Full-text

Effect of time and temperature before chilling on the hygiene of carcasses in wild boar hunted in central Italy

Italian Journal of Food Safety ◽

10.4081/ijfs.2021.9959 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Roberto Barbani ◽

Giulia Lalinga ◽

Lia Bardasi ◽

Raffaella Branciari ◽

Dino Miraglia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

Environmental Temperature ◽

Central Italy ◽

Colony Count ◽

Elapse Time ◽

Moderate Correlation ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Wild Boars ◽

The Mean ◽

Mean Time

The interest in certified game meat chains highlights the need for the evaluation and the management of factors affecting carcass hygiene along the peculiar steps of the production. The effects of time and temperature before chilling were specifically evaluated on aerobic colony count and Enterobacteriaceae count in hunted wild boar carcasses. Thirty wild boars were considered in two process steps where the hunted animal are still not chilled: after evisceration and just before chilling. Environmental temperature, carcass temperature and the elapse time between the two-step considered were registered. Furthermore, surface microbial loads were analyzed on the inner part of the carcasses. The mean time between the two sampling steps was 6 hours with an average environmental temperature of 20.49°C. A carcass temperature 9.6°C drop was observed during this period. In this lap of time aerobic colony count and Enterobacteriaceae count increased of 0.68 Log CFU/cm2 and 1.01 Log CFU/cm2 respectively, with a moderate correlation with the time but not with the temperature delta. The results reveal that the temperature conditions in central Italy hunting areas were not able to quickly reduce the carcass temperature and therefore the time between carcass evisceration and chilling should not exceed 6 hours.

Download Full-text

To transport waste or transport recycling plant: Insights from life-cycle analysis

Matériaux & Techniques ◽

10.1051/mattech/2018016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 105 (5-6) ◽

pp. 516

Author(s):

Guilhem Grimaud ◽

Bertrand Laratte ◽

Nicolas Perry

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Life Cycle Analysis ◽

Treatment Cost ◽

Point Of View ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

The Other ◽

Economic Balance ◽

The One ◽

Waste Deposit ◽

Centralized System

The purpose of this study is to determine the environmental and economic balance between a collection of waste requiring the transport to a centralized recycling plant versus the displacement of a recycling plant near the waste production’s location. Two systems are compared in the study with economic and environmental Life cycle analysis (LCC and LCA) tools. The first one considers a centralized recycling plant that gathers batch of cables from different locations in Europe. The second scenario considers a transportable recycling plant, the Cablebox (designed by MTB Manufacturing), which is regularly carried to be close to the waste deposit to recycle waste cables. On the one hand, the study demonstrates huge environmental benefits for transportable recycling plants in comparison with the centralized system. The overall environmental impact is halved on the climate change indicator. On the other hand, the results show the economic advantages of such solution. The treatment cost per ton of recycling is reduced by 5 to 8%. Transportable recycling solutions seem to be a good answer to solve End-of-Life logistic issues, both from an economic and an environmental point of view.

Download Full-text

Economic diplomacy instruments in the field of foreign economic activity of Russia

10.33920/vne-01-2105-07 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrey Aleksandrovich Naryshkin

Keyword(s):

World Trade Organization ◽

Economic Activity ◽

World Trade ◽

Point Of View ◽

International Organization ◽

Economic Interests ◽

Economic Diplomacy ◽

Economic Organizations ◽

Working Groups ◽

Unique Mechanism

Russia has a developed system of various institutions aimed to provide economic interests abroad. Intergovernmental Commissions on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation covering bilateral level of cooperation. They provide a regular platform for dialogue with 104 countries. The actual issues concerning investment and trade cooperation are discussed in this bilateral level. International economic organizations providing the opportunity to work on multilateral level. There are organizations where our country is a member state (for example United Nations, World Trade Organization, etc.) and organizations where Russia acts as observer or as a participant of individual negotiation tracks and working groups (for example, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — OECD). Activities within the framework of the World Trade Organization have a priority character for Russian economic diplomacy. The WTO is the largest international organization that sets itself the task of creating proper conditions for international trade. It is also a unique mechanism for the settlement of various trade and economic disputes. WTO is aimed to flow trade smoothly and provide countries with a constructive and fair outlet for dealing with disputes over trade issue. This article considers two institutions named above from the point of view of Russian economic diplomacy and its foreign economic activity.

Download Full-text

West Nile Virus and Related Flavivirus in European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Latium Region, Italy: A Retrospective Study

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10030494 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 494

Author(s):

Angela Petruccelli ◽

Tiziana Zottola ◽

Gianmarco Ferrara ◽

Valentina Iovane ◽

Cristina Di Russo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Nile Virus ◽

Wild Boar ◽

Specific Antibody ◽

Central Italy ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Serum Samples ◽

West Nile ◽

Wild Boars ◽

European Wild Boar

Background: A retrospective sero-survey for evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in European wild boar (Sus scorfa) was conducted in the Latium region, Italy, on stored serum samples of the period November 2011 to January 2012. Methods: Sera were collected from 168 European wild boars and screened for antibodies to WNV and other Flaviviruses by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). All sera positive for Flavivirus antibodies by cELISA were further examined by virus neutralization test (VNT). To test the presence of Flavivirus RNA in samples, an RT-PCR was performed using a pan-Flavivirus primers pair. Results: Thirteen wild boars (7.73%) were seropositive for Flaviviruses. The hemolysis of serum samples limited the interpretation of the VNT for 7 samples, confirming the presence of specific antibody against WNV in a single European wild boar serum sample. The presence of ELISA positive/VNT negative samples suggests the occurrence of non-neutralizing antibodies against WNV or other antigen-related Flaviviruses. No samples resulted positive for Flavivirus by RT-PCR assay. Conclusion: Although a moderately high percentage of animals with specific antibody for WNV has been detected in wild boar in other surveillance studies in Europe, this has not been reported previously in Italy. Together, these data indicate that European wild boar are exposed to WNV and/or other related-Flavivirus in central Italy and confirm the usefulness of wild ungulates, as suitable Flavivirus sentinels.

Download Full-text