Reply to AlQasimi, E.; Mahdi, T.-F. Comment on “Aureli et al. Review of Historical Dam-Break Events and Laboratory Tests on Real Topography for the Validation of Numerical Models. Water 2021, 13, 1968”

This is the reply to the comments by Mahdi (2021) on the classification attributed to the Lake Ha! Ha! real-field test case by Aureli et al. (2021) in their review of historical dam-break events useful for the validation of dam-break numerical models. While admitting that this test case is affected by the data shortcomings reported by the Discusser, in the authors’ opinion, it should remain included in the group of well-documented test cases due to the large and complete dataset available in digital format. This conclusion is also supported by the fact that the Lake Ha! Ha! case was chosen as a benchmark in the framework of the 2001–2004 IMPACT (Investigation of Extreme Flood Processes and Uncertainty) European project and was then widely used in the literature for the validation of one-dimensional and two-dimensional geomorphic flood models

Review of Historical Dam-Break Events and Laboratory Tests on Real Topography for the Validation of Numerical Models

Dam break inundation mapping is essential for risk management and mitigation, emergency action planning, and potential consequences assessment. To quantify flood hazard associated with dam failures, flooding variables must be predicted by efficient and robust numerical models capable to effectively cope with the computational difficulties posed by complex flows on real topographies. Validation against real-field data of historical dam-breaks is extremely useful to verify models’ capabilities and accuracy. However, such catastrophic events are rather infrequent, and available data on the breaching mechanism and downstream flooding are usually inaccurate and incomplete. Nevertheless, in some cases, real-field data collected after the event (mainly breach size, maximum water depths and flood wave arrival times at selected locations, water marks, and extent of flooded areas) are adequate to set up valuable and significant test cases, provided that all other data required to perform numerical simulations are available (mainly topographic data of the floodable area and input parameters defining the dam-break scenario). This paper provides a review of the historical dam-break events for which real-field datasets useful for validation purposes can be retrieved in the literature. The resulting real-field test cases are divided into well-documented test cases, for which extensive and complete data are already available, and cases with partial or inaccurate datasets. Type and quality of the available data are specified for each case. Finally, validation data provided by dam-break studies on physical models reproducing real topographies are presented and discussed. This review aims at helping dam-break modelers: (a) to select the most suitable real-field test cases for validating their numerical models, (b) to facilitate data access by indicating relevant bibliographic references, and (c) to identify test cases of potential interest worthy of further research

Climate, soil management, and cultivar affect Fusarium head blight incidence and deoxynivalenol accumulation in durum wheat of Southern Italy

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a multifaceted disease caused by some species of Fusarium spp. A huge production of mycotoxins, mostly trichothecenes, often accompanied this disease. Amongst these toxic compounds, deoxynivalenol (DON) and its derivatives represent a major issue for human as well as for animal health and farming. Common and durum wheat are amongst the hosts of trichothecene-producing Fusaria. Differences in susceptibility to fungal infection and toxin accumulation occur in wheat cultivars. Recently, increasing incidence and severity of Fusarium infection and a higher DON accumulation in durum wheat were observed in Italy, especially in Northern regions. In this study, we analyzed wheat yield, technological parameters, the incidence of Fusarium infection and DON content in kernel samples of durum wheat coming from three locations of Southern Italy with different climatic conditions and grown during two seasons, with two methods of cultivation. Four different durum wheat cultivars prevalently cultivated in Southern Italian areas were chosen for this study. Our analysis showed the effects of environment and cultivar types on wheat productivity and key technological parameters for the quality level of the end-product, namely pasta. Notably, although a low rate of mycotoxin contamination in all study sites was assessed, an inverse relation emerged between fungal infection/DON production and durum wheat yield. Further, our study pinpoints the importance of environment conditions on several quality traits of durum wheat grown under Mediterranean climate. The environmental conditions at local level (microscale) and soil management practices may drive FHB outbreak and mycotoxin contamination even in growing area suitable for cropping this wheat species

Grain Yield, Quality and Deoxynivalenol (DON) Contamination of Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum Desf.): Results of National Networks in Organic and Conventional Cropping Systems

This work shows the results of trials carried out over three years (2006-2008) within the national networks of durum wheat grown under conventional and organic cropping systems in six representative locations of the main cultivation areas of Italy. The main aspects of grain yield and grain quality were analyzed, particularly assessing the hygienic health status of the grain in relation to the possible presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination. DON is considered the most common trichothecene mycotoxin found in the wheat grain, causing significant reductions in grain yield and adverse effects for human or animal consumption. In the studied period the average grain yields were quite interesting both in conventional samples (5.85 t ha-1) and in organic ones (4.91 t ha-1). As expected, the organic yields were significantly different(-16%). However, in the southern locations the same differences were lower (-5%), thus emphasizing the limited impact of the higher inputs of the conventional cropping in these environments. The reduced nitrogen input is notoriously the most critical point of organic wheat, because the protein content is the most sensitive parameter of grain quality. The protein content was significantly different among year, fields location and cropping system, but not among their interactions. Grain protein content in organic wheat was lower than in conventional one all over the three years; anyway, differences were somewhat limited (only about 1% in the southern locations and 0.5% in central Italy). Among cultivars no significant differences in the protein content were recorded. Mean levels of DON contamination during the study period were generally lower, with only a sample exceeding the legal limit of 1750 ppb. Among the main factors, year and location (and their interaction) had a strong influence on DON contamination, accounting for 75% of the observed variability. DON levels in 2008 at Papiano-PG were dramatically high; the strong influence of the year-location interaction may be due to this fact. Cropping system and cultivar, although significant, had a low influence; however, their interaction accounted for 13% of total variance. Cropping system – location interaction accounted for 5% of the total variability. Very low levels of DON were detected in the southern locations with both cropping systems; the lower levels were recorded in organic wheat samples. In the central Italy areas DON could represent a potential hazard, but even in these organically cropped environments wheat gave the best results. Lower concentrations of DON were detected in organic wheat samples, either in less favourable years for the occurrence of Fusarium (2006 and 2007) and in the more favourable one (2008). Regarding the role of the varietal choice, Creso revealed to be the less susceptible to DON contamination, probably as it is the best adapted to the areas of the Central Italy, where Fusarium is more widespread

Bran-Enriched Milled Durum Wheat Fractions Obtained Using Innovative Micronization and Air-Classification Pilot Plants

Dietary guidelines recommend the consumption of unprocessed, or minimally processed, wheat foods because they are richer in health-promoting components (i.e., minerals, vitamins, lignans, phytoestrogens, and phenolic compounds) compared to traditionally refined products. The design and implementation of technological solutions applied to the milling process are becoming a key requirement to obtain less refined mill products characterized by healthier nutritional profiles. This study presents the development of an upgraded micronization plant and of a modified air-classification plant to produce several novel types of durum wheat milling fractions, each enriched in bran particles of different sizes (from 425 µm > Ø to Ø < 180 µm) and percentage ratios. A preliminary quality assessment of the milling fractions was carried out by measuring yield percentages and ash content, the latter being related to detect the presence of bran particles. A wide array of milling fractions with different original particle size compositions was provided through the study of the process. Results indicate the ability of the novel pilot plants to produce several types of less refined milling fractions of potential interest for manufacturing durum wheat end-products beneficial for human health.n

Corporate Social Responsibility in Italy

The chapter aims to provide a picture of the most relevant developments regarding CSR that have occurred in the last decade in Italy from a theoretical, institutional and practical perspective. It includes a preliminary analysis of latest Italian academic studies that have investigated the CSR concept and CSR practices among Italian companies, while also pointing out the institutional and political conditions that favoured the development of CSR at the national and local level. In this regard, both national and regional laws and norms are considered. Subsequently, the chapter addresses the most important initiatives on CSR, both at a private and public level, involving both large companies and SMEs. This work contributes to the description of the position of CSR in Italy, where several private and public approaches coexist and frequently take the form of Territorial Social Responsibility. Finally, it critically discusses the \u2018Italian model of CSR\u2019 in the current scenario and provides insights on Italy\u2019s future path toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals