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In this paper we describe the macroseismic effects produced by the long and destructive seismic sequence that hit Central Italy from 24 August 2016 to January 2017. Starting from the procedure adopted in the complex field survey, we discuss the characteristics of the building stock and its classification in terms of EMS-98 as well as the issues associated with the intensity assessment due to the evolution of damage caused by multiple shocks. As a result, macroseismic intensity for about 300 localities has been determined; however, most of the intensities assessed for the earthquakes following the first strong shock on 24 August 2016, represent the cumulative effect of damage during the sequence. The earthquake parameters computed from the macroseismic datasets are compared with the instrumental determinations in order to highlight critical issues related to the assessment of macroseismic parameters of strong earthquakes during a seismic sequence. The results also provide indications on how location and magnitude computation can be strongly biased when dealing with historical seismic sequences.

Purpose: A retrospective analysis of real-world data was performed to assess the epidemiology and economic burden of multiple sclerosis (MS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) in Italy. Patients and Methods: An observational study on administrative databases from a sample of Italian entities was carried-out. Between 01/2010-12/2017, patients with [greater than or equal to]1 MS diagnosis code (ICD-9-CM:340 and/or exemption code:046) and/or [greater than or equal to]1 disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) prescription, were included. Among MS-cohort, SPMS patients were identified by [greater than or equal to]2 hospitalizations or by [greater than or equal to]2 drug prescriptions related to MS progression. MS patients not fulflling SPMS criteria were included as RRMS. Mean annual healthcare costs were reported during follow-up and stratified by DMT treatment/untreatment. Results: Overall, 9543 MS patients were included; 8397 with RRMS and 1146 with SPMS. Estimated prevalence of MS was 141.6/100,000 inhabitants (RRMS 124.4/100,000 and SPMS 17.2/100,000). Mean annual cost for untreated and treated patient was respectively: [euro]3638 and [euro]11796 (MS-cohort), [euro]3183 and [euro]11486 (RRMS-cohort), [euro]6317 and [euro]15511 (SPMS-cohort). The first-line DMT treatment duration averaged 27.4 [+ or -] 22.8 months; the mean cost was 19004[euro] for the whole period. The second-line DMT treatment lasted on average 31.1 [+ or -] 24.5 months; the mean cost was 47293[euro] for the whole period. Conclusion: This study provided insights into the MS epidemiology in Italy and its economic burden. Healthcare costs associated with MS management were mainly driven by DMTs expenditure. A trend of higher healthcare-resource consumption was observed among SPMS-cohort. Keywords: real-world evidence, clinical practice, multiple sclerosis, epidemiology, healthcare resource consumption

Seismometer arrays have been widely applied to record collapse by controlled explosion in mines and caves. However, most underground failures are natural events, and because they can occur abruptly, underground failures represent a serious geological hazard. An accelerometric array installed on 4 September 2008 has been used to manage the geological risk of the Peschiera Springs drainage plant of Rome’s aqueduct, which is located in the Central Apennines approximately 80 km from Rome, Italy. The plant occupies a karstified carbonatic slope that is extensively involved in gravitational deformations, which are responsible for underground failures such as cracks and collapses. To distinguish among different types of recorded events, an automated procedure was implemented based on the duration, peak of ground acceleration (PGA) and PGA variation in the recordings of the plant’s accelerometric stations. The frequencies of earthquakes and micro-earthquakes due to underground failures are, in general, well correlated. Nevertheless, many underground failure sequences can be directly associated with the continuous deformations that affect the slope. The cumulative Arias intensity trend derived for the underground failures combined with the failure and earthquake frequencies enabled the definition of a control index (CI) that identifies alarming or emergency conditions. The CI can be used as a tool for managing the geological risk associated with the deformational processes that affect the drainage plant.

The basin-like setting of stiff bedrock combined with pre-existing landslide masses can contribute to seismic amplifications in a wide frequency range (0–10 Hz) and induce a self-excitation process responsible for earthquake-triggered landsliding. Here, the self-excitation process is proposed to justify the far-field seismic trigger of the Cerda landslide (Sicily, Italy) which was reactivated by the 6th September 2002 Palermo earthquake ( M s  = 5.4), about 50 km far from the epicentre. The landslide caused damage to farm houses, roads and aqueducts, close to the village of Cerda, and involved about 40 × 10 6  m 3 of clay shales; the first ground cracks due to the landslide movement formed about 30 min after the main shock. A stress–strain dynamic numerical modelling, performed by FDM code FLAC 5.0, supports the notion that the combination of local geological setting and earthquake frequency content played a fundamental role in the landslide reactivation. Since accelerometric records of the triggering event are not available, dynamic equivalent inputs have been used for the numerical modelling. These inputs can be regarded as representative for the local ground shaking, having a PGA value up to 0.2 m/s 2 , which is the maximum expected in 475 years, according to the Italian seismic hazard maps. A 2D numerical modelling of the seismic wave propagation in the Cerda landslide area was also performed; it pointed out amplification effects due to both the structural setting of the stiff bedrock (at about 1 Hz) and the pre-existing landslide mass (in the range 3–6 Hz). The frequency peaks of the resulting amplification functions ( A ( f )) fit well the H / V spectral ratios from ambient noise and the H / H spectral ratios to a reference station from earthquake records, obtained by in situ velocimetric measurements. Moreover, the Fourier spectra of earthquake accelerometric records, whose source and magnitude are consistent with the triggering event, show a main peak at about 1 Hz. This frequency value well fits the one amplified by the geological setting of the bedrock in correspondence with the landslide area, which is constituted of marly limestones and characterised by a basin-like geometry.

Results of geological, geomechanical and seismometric investigations aiming at the analysis of the seismic response in a carbonate ridge of the Nera River valley (Central Apennines - Italy) are discussed. Geological and geomechanical surveys were aimed at defining the stratigraphic and structural setting of the outcropping formations and the jointing conditions of the rock mass. Velocimetric records of both ambient noise and small-magnitude earthquakes were analysed in order to identify amplification conditions. The analysis was carried out in the time domain, through directional energy evaluation, and in the frequency domain, through H/V spectral ratios and spectral ratios with respect to a reference station. A local amplification factor was estimated from Housner intensity. The study revealed a significant seismic amplification in a fault zone. This effect was observed in intensely jointed and mylonitic rock masses, located inside moderately jointed rock masses, and is the result of specific geometries and significant impedance contrasts. A map of fault zones prone to amplification of ground motion was constructed, taking into account the jointing conditions of the rock masses and the structural setting of the investigated ridge. The study relied on an integrated methodological approach, which combined the available data under union and intersection criteria.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Background In 2008, SIFO, the Italian Hospital Pharmacy Society, has decided to start a project about an on-line drug formulary based on guidelines as a tool of clinical governance. The name of the formulary is ‘IPERPTO’. The introduction of the API in ‘Iperpto’ is only possible if connected to a qualified guideline which determines suitability for use. Purpose To critically evaluate the quality of the guidelines already entered in' Iperpto' using as assessment tool Agree instrument already available in Iperpto site. Materials and methods IperPTO is available at www.laboratoriosifofarmacoeconomia.org/iperpto.htm and the new molecule can be added by logging in to www.laboratoriosifofarmacoeconomia.org/ptolg.htm. The AGREE II consists of 23 key items organised within 6 domains followed by 2 global rating items (‘Overall Assessment’). Overall assessment includes the rating of the overall quality of the guideline and whether the guideline would be recommended for use in practice. Results To date the database contains more than 400 active ingredients and 236 Guidelines. Of these, 34% concerns the ‘field of oncology, 10% cardiovascular diseases, 9% musculoskeletal diseases; 6% metabolic and immune system disease, the other equally distributed in other classes ICD (International Classification of Disease). The sources are international, national and local. Conclusions The ‘iperpto’ is a pilot experience than can be particularly interesting for both regional and local therapeutic committees as a tool for EBM-based evaluation in critical areas such oncology and cardiology. It is essential at this stage to asses the quality of guidelines included in the database and to select the most significant with the active participation by all colleagues.

In 2010, the Latium Regional Administration promoted a systematic study for the seismic microzonation of its Municipalities, according to the official national and regional guidelines. This activity was co-funded by the National Department of Civil Protection (DPC) following the issue of the National rule OPCM 3907/2010. A Working Group including researchers from Latium Regional Administration, ENEA and the Department of Earth Sciences of the 'Sapienza' University of Rome performed the studies in some municipalities characterised by the most severe level of seismic hazard. The activity was carried out on the basis of both archive geotechnical data and original geophysical surveys. The whole municipal territory was divided in stable areas, where no further analysis is required, and areas prone to stratigraphic or topographic amplification, as well as to earthquake-induced phenomena such as landslides, sinkholes, liquefaction and seiche. The experienced approach highlighted some critical features in the microzonation methodology that encourage the refinement of the operative procedures.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a virus that spreads through contact with the respiratory droplets of infected persons, so quarantine is mandatory to break the infection chain. This paper proposes a wearable device with the Internet of Things (IoT) integration for real-time monitoring of body temperature the indoor condition via an alert system to the person in quarantine. The alert is transferred when the body thermal exceeds the allowed threshold temperature. Moreover, an algorithm Repetition Spikes Counter (RSC) based on an accelerometer is employed in the role of human activity recognition to realize whether the quarantined person is doing physical exercise or not, for auto-adjustment of threshold temperature. The real-time warning and stored data analysis support the family members/doctors in following and updating the quarantined people’s body temperature behavior in the tele-distance. The experiment includes an M5stickC wearable device, a Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer, an infrared thermometer, and a digital temperature sensor equipped with the user’s wrist. The indoor temperature and humidity are measured to restrict the virus spread and supervise the room condition of the person in quarantine. The information is transferred to the cloud via Wi-Fi with Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) broker. The Bluetooth is integrated as an option for the data transfer from the self-isolated person to the electronic device of a family member in the case of Wi-Fi failed connection. The tested result was obtained from a student in quarantine for 14 days. The designed system successfully monitored the body temperature, exercise activity, and indoor condition of the quarantined person that handy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories related to COVID‐19 has represented one of the several undesirable effects of the current pandemic. In understanding why people can be more or less at risk to believe in misinformation, emotional distress and education could play a crucial role. The present study aims to analyze the relationship among depressive symptoms, education, and beliefs in misinformation about COVID-19 during the early phase of the pandemic. We do this through a cross-sectional study carried out on a random and representative sample of the Italian population that allows us to go and verify the co-evolution of many factors: i.e., beliefs in misinformation, symptoms of depression, perceptions about COVID-19, ways in which citizens got informed about the pandemic, and sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education). The results show that the relationship between depression and beliefs in misinformation exists and is more complex than hypothesized because it is mediated by individual perceptions. In particular, the most at-risk people to believe in misinformation show higher bias perceptions, higher depression, and lower education. Practical implications are discussed suggesting a supportive intervention at both individual and social levels.

This article studies optimal monetary policy when decision-makers in firms choose how much attention they devote to aggregate conditions. When the amount of attention that decision-makers in firms devote to aggregate conditions is exogenous, complete price stabilization is optimal only in response to shocks that cause efficient fluctuations under perfect information. When decision-makers in firms choose how much attention they devote to aggregate conditions, complete price stabilization is optimal also in response to shocks that cause inefficient fluctuations under perfect information. Hence, recognizing that decision-makers in firms can choose how much attention they devote to aggregate conditions has major implications for optimal policy.