Explore the vast range of titles available.

Wild boar ( Sus scrofa L.) is one of the large mammals most spread worldwide, highly adaptable, and its population rapidly increased in many areas in Europe, including Italy, where Tuscany is considered particularly suitable for wild boar. Wild boars are potential hosts for different etiological agents, such as Brucella spp., Leptospira spp. and Pseudorabies virus and they can contribute to maintain and/or to disseminate some bacterial or viral pathogens to humans and domestic animals, above all-in free-range farms. In order to identify hypothetical genomic regions associated with these infection diseases, 96 samples of wild boars hunted in Tuscany during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 hunting seasons were considered. Diagnosis was achieved by serological tests and 42 Pseudorabies, 31 Leptospira and 15 Brucella positive animals were identified. All animals were genotyped with Geneseek Genomic Profiler Porcine HD (70 k) and a genome-wide scan was then performed. Significant markers were highlighted for Pseudorabies (two SNPs), Brucella (seven SNPs), and Leptospira (four SNPs) and they were located within, or nearby, 29 annotated genes on chromosome 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 18. Eight genes are implicated in viral (SEC14L1, JMJD6, SRSF2, TMPRSS2, MX1, MX2) or bacterial (COL8A1, SPIRE1) infections, seven genes (MFSD11, METTL23, CTTNBP2, BACE2, IMPA2, MPPE1 and GNAL) are involved in mental disorders and one gene (MGAT5B) is related to the Golgi complex. Results presented here provide interesting starting points for future research, validation studies and fine mapping of candidate genes involved in bacterial and viral infections in wild boar.

This study examines the recycling of industrial waste into fired bricks for use in building rehabilitation, inspired by research that reports benefits to masonry quality and the environment. To this end, bricks from the old town of Skikda (Algeria), were analysed from a mineralogical, physical and mechanical point of view and compared with new bricks realized with clay from Mila (Algeria) mixed with different industrial wastes. Namely the clay mixtures were prepared with 10% sand and optimal amounts of sawdust (WS), steel filings (SF), fine marble powder (FMP) and very fine marble powder (VFMP), with substitution rates of 5%, 20%, 20% and 20%, respectively. Except for bricks with WS, which showed reduced resistance (-46.95%), the FMP, SF and VFMP bricks showed satisfactory mechanical performance with compressive strengths of 9.7, 9.8 and 11.1 MPa respectively. Moreover, the leaching analysis indicates that they are environmentally friendly.

In the present work, two kinds of hybrid polymeric–inorganic coatings containing TiO 2 or SiO 2 particles and prepared starting from two commercial resins (Alpha®SI30 and Bluesil®BP9710) were developed and applied to two kinds of mortars (an air-hardening calcic lime mortar [ALM] and a natural hydraulic lime mortar [HLM]) to achieve better performances in terms of water repellence and consequently damage resistance. The two pure commercial resins were also applied for comparison purposes. Properties of the coated materials and their performance were studied using different techniques such as contact angle measurements, capillary absorption test, mercury intrusion porosimetry, surface free energy, colorimetric measurements and water vapour permeability tests. Tests were also performed to determine the weathering effects on both the commercial and the hybrid coatings in order to study their durability. Thus, exposures to UV radiation, to UV radiation/condensed water cycles and to a real polluted atmospheric environment have been performed. The effectiveness of the hybrid SiO 2 based coating was demonstrated, especially in the case of the HLM mortar.

The architecture is the result of the men’s work, whose actions do not end with its construction, but are inevitably destined to follow one another over time, responding to the various natural and/or anthropic solicitations to which it is subjected. The progressive change in social and economic needs, together with the lack of recognition of the value of the inherited architectural heritage, causes an increasing pressure both on individual historic buildings and on ancient sites. Considered as obsolete and incapable of responding to current performance and functional requirements, the architectural heritage is often abandoned or subjected to radical transformations, causing the irremediable loss of valuable cultural resources. The examination of the current state of conservation of the Magnano hamlet is interesting for the purposes of ‘Risk in architectural heritage’. It is a defensive settlement built at the beginning of the XIIIth century and characterized by the presence of building cells lying on the crest of a hill and surrounded by walls. Some of these cells are today totally abandoned and, therefore, affected by decay phenomena due to the aggressive action exerted by environmental agents; others have undergone interventions that, although aimed at allowing their possible re-use, have led to the partial or total loss of the identity features of this heritage. This paper intends to focus on the analysis of the interventions carried out, examining the methodologies adopted and some critical issues in the belief that only by searching for compatible solutions in terms of materials, structures and functionality, it is possible to become promoters of an effective conservation of the architectural heritage.

Swine can act as asymptomatic carriers of some Leptospira serovars. In this study, 1194 sera from 61 farms located in five different Regions of North-West Italy were collected from slaughtered healthy pigs. Presence of antibody against four Leptospira serovars was evaluated. Overall, 52.5% of analysed farms presented at least one positive animal and 34.4% presented at least one positive swine with titre ⩾1:400. A percentage of 16.6% sera was positive and 5.9% samples presented a positive titre ⩾1:400. Tuscany and Lombardy showed the highest percentage of positive farms (64.3% and 54.6%, respectively) and sera (28.5% and 13.3%, respectively), probably due to environmental conditions and potential risk factors, which promote maintenance and spreading of Leptospira in these areas. The main represented serogroups were Australis (21.3% positive farms, 8.2% positive sera) and Pomona (18.0% positive farms, 8.1% positive sera). In swine, these serogroups are the most detected worldwide; however, our results seem to highlight a reemerging of serogroup Pomona in pigs in investigated areas. A low percentage of sera (0.6%) scored positive to Canicola, leaving an open question on the role of pigs in the epidemiology of this serovar. Higher antibody titres were detected for serogroups Australis and Pomona. Swine leptospirosis is probably underestimated in Italy and could represent a potential risk for animal and human health.

The vernacular architecture of the Souf region in Algeria, a desert environment where wood is rare, presents multiple heritage values due to the way in which local materials (especially the desert rose stone) are exploited to build houses and erect distinctive domes. Unfortunately, extensive damage and abandonment compromise the stability of these buildings and accelerate their disappearance, which would negatively affect the urban landscape and the identity of the region. In order to safeguard this unique vernacular heritage, the study focuses on the definition of the typical typology of building, its structural and geometric characteristics, explaining the constructive technique used. Recurrent damage and pathologies that threaten this building culture are also highlighted. Then, estimation of mechanical parameters of the desert rose stone masonry is carried out defining typical characteristics according to the evaluation of the respect of “the rule of the art”. Results are then used to perform numerical simulations of the structural behaviour of a typical building, through the finite element method with linear and nonlinear approaches. In particular, the structural behaviour of the dome has been investigated, being the most vulnerable element of the system.

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is emerging in Denmark. This interdisciplinary desk study investigated the options for WSUD retrofitting in a 15 km2 combined sewer catchment area in Copenhagen. The study was developed in collaboration with the City of Copenhagen and its water utility, and involved researchers representing hydrogeology, sewer hydraulics, environmental chemistry/economics/engineering, landscape architecture and urban planning. The resulting catchment strategy suggests the implementation of five sub-strategies. First, disconnection is focused within sites that are relatively easy to disconnect, due to stormwater quality, soil conditions, stakeholder issues, and the provision of unbuilt sites. Second, stormwater runoff is infiltrated in areas with relatively deep groundwater levels at a ratio that doesn't create a critical rise in the groundwater table to the surface. Third, neighbourhoods located near low-lying streams and public parks are disconnected from the sewer system and the sloping terrain is utilised to convey runoff. Fourth, the promotion of coherent blue and green wedges in the city is linked with WSUD retrofits and urban climate-proofing. Fifth, WSUD is implemented with delayed and regulated overflows to the sewer system. The results are partially adopted by the City of Copenhagen and currently under pilot testing.

In order to avoid both natural and artificial stone decay, mainly due to the interaction with atmospheric pollutants (both gases such as NOₓ and SO₂ and particulate matter), polymeric materials have been widely studied as protective coatings enable to limit the penetration of fluids into the bulk material. In the current work, an air hardening calcic lime mortar (ALM) and a natural hydraulic lime mortar (HLM) were used as substrates, and commercially available Si-based resins (Alpha®SI30 and Silres®BS16) were adopted as protective agents to give hydrophobicity features to the artificial stones. Surface properties of coatings and their performance as hydrophobic agents were studied using different techniques such as contact angle measurements, capillary absorption test, mercury intrusion porosimetry, surface free energy, colorimetric measurements and water vapour permeability tests. Finally, some exposure tests to UV radiation and to real polluted atmospheric environments (a city centre and an urban background site) were carried out during a wintertime period (when the concentrations of the main atmospheric pollutants are higher) in order to study the durability of the coating systems applied. The effectiveness of the two commercial resins in reducing salt formation (sulphate and nitrate), induced by the interaction of the mortars with the atmospheric pollutants, was demonstrated in the case of the HLM mortar.

Johne’s disease (JD) is an economically important infectious disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). This study evaluated the differences in various hematological and biochemical parameters between healthy goats and goats with JD. Forty goats were chosen randomly from a herd endemic for JD. A complete physical examination was performed. Blood and fresh fecal samples were collected from each goat. A complete blood cell (CBC) count and a protein electrophoresis were performed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on fecal samples was performed in order to divide goats into two groups: group A “positive PCR on feces”; and group B “control (negative).” A Student’s t test was performed for each parameter to verify differences between groups A vs B. Twenty goats were included in each group. Clinical signs likely related to JD were found in the history of 4/40 (10%) goats, while 36/40 (90%) goats were reported to be asymptomatic. CBC and electrophoresis values were within reference intervals in both groups. No differences were found for CBC parameters between the two groups. Values for alpha 1, beta, gamma globulins, and total protein (TP) were statistically higher in group A vs those in group B, while those for albumin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio were lower. An increase in TP, hypoalbuminemia, and hypergammaglobulinemia has been reported in group A, while no abnormalities were found concerning CBC. JD-positive goats seem to show earlier clinical pathological alternations than clinical signs. Protein electrophoresis may help the diagnosis of JD in asymptomatic goat herds, acting as an economical screening method.

Preventive archaeology aims at assessing the archaeological interest of a given area, as well as discovering, interpreting, documenting, and protecting archaeological remains that might otherwise be destroyed by land development works. On request of private stakeholders or institutional bodies, archaeologists intervene on a given construction yard (of infrastructure or urbanisation works) in order to investigate the possible archaeological significance of zones subjected to excavation works. In many cases archaeological assays are carried out, which are associated with thorough stratigraphic documentations and definition of the final preservation conditions. The latter can involve suitable re-burying or musealization of some of the archaeological remains recovered. During these activities, the construction works are slowed down or completely interrupted up until the conclusion of the mentioned archaeological research, which can generate possible delays with respect to the planned time schedule and increase of the costs. Improvements are needed in order to minimise the duration of the archaeological assessment and, simultaneously, to guarantee quality standards even higher than tose stated by the competent superintendences. Within this framework, the project ARCHEO 3.0 \"Integration of Key Enabling Technologies for rising the efficiency and quality of preventive archaeological excavations\" (co-funded by Tuscany Region, POR-CReO 2014-2020) aims at speeding up the archaeological excavation and at improving its documentation. It foresees the development of a set of characterisation tools, their integration and validation in archaeological yards. Thanks to ICT solution such a multidisciplinary integration will be made possible by a dedicated web-based platform that will allow to manage 2D and 3D photogrammetry along with the data provided by electromagnetic, and acoustic sensors. The project aim at promoting a substantial step ahead of the preventive archaeology in order to overcome the traditional empiric approach. In this respect, data exchange and the ICT solutions for direct collection of information on archaeological evidences represent the major challenge. Here, we preliminarily focus on the general features of management protocols of the archaeometrical data, as well as on their suitable integration within the operative phases of the archaeological excavation.