The Carabattola—Vibroacoustical Analysis and Intensity of Acoustic Radiation (IAR)

Among the studies of musical instruments, one important, sometime underestimated discipline, is represented by ethnomusicology. The acoustic analyses on ethnic musical instruments (M.I.) are much more infrequent if compared to those on classical M.I. This article deals with the vibro-acoustic analysis on one of the most unknown ethnic, Italian M.I., i.e., the carabattola (also called battola), which used to be played in Italy until the late 1960s during the Holy Thursday before Easter. The study includes modal analysis and Intensity of Acoustic Radiation measured on an original carabattola, which was played in the Romagna area until the early twentieth century. After a brief overview about the theory of acoustic and vibrational analysis on musical instruments, the Intensity of acoustic radiation and its correlation with modal analysis are recalled, based on previous studies. In the experimental part of the article, the measurements conducted on the carabattola are described. Afterwards, the results obtained both from modal analysis and IAR measurements are analyzed and compared with other measurements previously conducted on musical (particularly percussion) instruments and commented.

Epidemiology of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women living in the Greater Romagna Area, Italy

<em>Background</em>. Aim of this study was to assess the incidence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnant women living in Romagna area, in North East Italy to implement the best management of this infection. <br /><em>Materials</em> <em>and</em> <em>Methods</em>. In 2012, 23,727 serological tests for CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were performed in the Microbiology Unit, the Hub Laboratory of the Greater Romagna Area: 6931 were pregnant women. <br /><em>Results</em> <em>and</em> <em>Conclusions</em>. 179 subjects were positive for CMV IgM antibodies: 82 were not pregnant; 97 were IgM positive during pregnancy or in the course of a pre-conception evaluation. The detected incidence of the CMV infection in pregnancy (calculated at 1.40%) actually validates the literature data. This study’s findings clearly underline the usefulness of testing the CMV specific immune response in the pre-conception period or as early as possible during pregnancy.

Oncology Pharmacies Network in the Vasta Romagna Area: the case of Ausl-Ravenna and IRST concerning maintaining service continuity

At the end of 2010, due to a contingent critical situation in terms of shortage of pharmacists, affecting the oncology pharmacy of Ravenna, an effective system of network integration among the Ausl pharmacy in Ravenna and that of IRST came into place allowing for the continuance of therapies' preparation and supply. This result was possible thanks to the utilization by both pharmacies of one software, developed in Forlě by IRST through a previous professional integration study based on an uniform organizational model of oncology drugs preparation and control. In this experience the role of IRST and that of the regional network was essential.

Effects on the groundwater levels of the May-June 2012 Emilia seismic sequence

<p>A variety of phenomena were observed in the groundwaters in concomitance with the May-June 2012 seismic sequence that occurred in the Emilia Romagna area. In particular, phreatic wells close to the epicentral area were affected by a sudden increase in water level of up to 4 m. In some cases, the sands of aquifers were ejected outside wells, and &gt;700 liquefaction phenomena were recorded [Bertolini and Fioroni 2012, this volume]. Some automatic stations of the regional well network recorded variations in well levels. These data can be considered useful to understand the relationships between seismic events and the local groundwaters [see also Italiano et al. 2012, this volume]. […] In 1976, a regional network composed of 330 wells was set up with the purpose of monitoring the groundwater levels using manual techniques. These data have been used for environmental purposes and for water management. In recent years, the monitoring network managed by Agenzia Regionale Prevenzione e Ambiente (ARPA) has increased the number of wells (to about 600), and chemical analyses are also periodically carried out for environmental monitoring activities. In the past three years, an automatic monitoring network composed of 40 stations was set up and this has allowed the monitoring of the water levels and the temperatures, at a rate of one measure per hour, and to broadcast the data to the host center located in Bologna. […]</p>