Local and territorial determinants in the realization of public–private–partnerships: an empirical analysis for Italian provinces

ABSTRACT Relational networks and intangible factors are crucial elements for the competitiveness of a territory. Public–Private–Partnerships (PPPs), in particular, allow for the provision of goods and services that favour the exploitation of complementarities between public and private resources. They aim at promoting an increase in the overall efficiency of investment projects through a complex mechanism that distributes risk and revenues among stakeholders. This paper examines the local and territorial determinants of PPPs through an econometric analysis based upon Italian municipal data, grouped at the provincial level. Using a tobit model, we analyse the relationship between the realization of successful PPP initiatives and different sets of factors, including less analysed local and territorial determinants. We stress the role of the local management of infrastructure assets, the administrative efficiency of local authorities and the diffusion of previous local development initiatives. Local management and territorial context factors explain most of the occurrence of successful PPP initiatives in the pre-crisis period while usual determinants (infrastructure endowment and financial distress) display a weaker effect

Territorial Capital and the Great Recession: a Nuts-3 Analysis for Central and Southern Italy

The analyses on the effects of the actual crisis have been mainly concentrated on a national and international dimension, leaving aside the differential effects of the crisis on regions and sub-regional areas. Notwithstanding the international character of the Great Recession, it has to be stressed that the different structural features of regions and urban areas might influence the economic and social impact of the crisis. They also might have an important effect on the resilience and recover chance. In the present paper, we focus on territorial capital, a concept that takes into account of the different features of goods and services in terms of their degree of appropriability and rivalry and, also, of their material-immaterial content. The aim is to identify the strategic territorial elements which help in the evaluation of the absorption capacity of the recession at regional and sub-regional levels. For that purpose, we use a wide dataset for Central and Southern Italian provinces in order to measure the empirical relations between the territorial capital and the change in the provincial performance. The intent is to measure how the territorial capital endowment might have determined different reactions on a sub-regional scale and, conversely, how the crisis might influence the territorial capital in different areas. If, on one hand, we expect that the “soft” dimensions of the territorial capital (relations among firms, cooperation networks, public-private partnership, territorial governance, innovation linkages, and so on) have some relevance in shaping the growth process of less developed and peripheral areas, the role of these dimensions in the reaction to crisis is still to be debated. The paper examines the relation between territorial capital and performance at NUTS-3 (provincial) level. during the period 1999-2011 and on the basis of exports and employment dynamics

Local and territorial determinants in the realization of public-private-partnerships: an empirical analysis for Italian provinces

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Taylor and Francis in European Planning Studies on 17/07/2019, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2019.1640187 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Relational networks and intangible factors are crucial elements for the competitiveness of a territory. Public–Private–Partnerships (PPPs), in particular, allow for the provision of goods and services that favour the exploitation of complementarities between public and private resources. They aim at promoting an increase in the overall efficiency of investment projects through a complex mechanism that distributes risk and revenues among stakeholders. This paper examines the local and territorial determinants of PPPs through an econometric analysis based upon Italian municipal data, grouped at the provincial level. Using a tobit model, we analyse the relationship between the realization of successful PPP initiatives and different sets of factors, including less analysed local and territorial determinants. We stress the role of the local management of infrastructure assets, the administrative efficiency of local authorities and the diffusion of previous local development initiatives. Local management and territorial context factors explain most of the occurrence of successful PPP initiatives in the pre-crisis period while usual determinants (infrastructure endowment and financial distress) display a weaker effect.This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) through the Fund for Research Projects of National Interest (PRIN) [Grant Project Number 2008PP5E98].Published versio

Diversity of human rotaviruses detected in Sicily, Italy, over a 5-years period (2001-2005).

It is well known that the death of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common and disabling condition in the expanding elderly population. Nevertheless, the intracellular cascade of events leading to dopamine cell death is still unknown and, consequently, treatment is largely symptomatic rather than preventive. Moreover, the mechanisms whereby nigral dopaminergic neurons may degenerate still remain controversial. Hitherto, several data have shown that the earlier cellular disturbances occurring in dopaminergic neurons include oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and altered proteolysis. These alterations, rather than killing neurons, trigger subsequent death-related molecular pathways, including elements of apoptosis. In rare incidences, PD may be inherited; this evidence has opened a new and exciting area of research, attempting to shed light on the nature of the more common idiopathic PD form. In this review, the characteristics of the SNc dopaminergic neurons and their lifecycle from birth to death are reviewed. In addition, of the mechanisms by which the aforementioned alterations cause neuronal dopaminergic death, particular emphasis will be given to the role played by inflammation, and the relevance of the possible use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of PD. Finally, new evidence of a possible de novo neurogenesis in the SNc of adult animals and in PD patients will also be examined

Variability of water mass properties in the Strait of Sicily in summer period of 1998–2013

The Strait of Sicily plays a crucial role in determining the water-mass exchanges and related properties between the western and eastern Mediterranean. Hydrographic measurements carried out from 1998 to 2013 allowed the identification of the main water masses present in the Strait of Sicily: a surface layer composed of Atlantic water (AW) flowing eastward, intermediate and deep layers mainly composed of Levantine intermediate water (LIW), and transitional eastern Mediterranean deep water (tEMDW) flowing in the opposite direction. Furthermore, for the first time, the signature of intermittent presence of western intermediate water (WIW) is also highlighted in the northwestern part of the study area (12.235◦ E, 37.705◦ N). The excellent area coverage allowed to highlight the high horizontal and vertical inter-annual variability affecting the study area and also to recognize the permanent character of the main mesoscale phenomena present in the surface water layer. Moreover, strong temperature-salinity correlations in the intermediate layer, for specific time intervals, seem to be linked to the reversal of surface circulation in the central Ionian Sea. The analysis of CTD data in deeper water layer indicates the presence of a large volume of tEMDW in the Strait of Sicily during the summers of 2006 and 2009.peer-reviewe

Relazione tecnica sulle attività della campagna oceanografica “Ancheva 2015”

Nelle acque Italiane dello Stretto di Sicilia sin dal 1998 vengono effettuate ogni anno campagne di valutazione dell’abbondanza e distribuzione della biomassa pelagica con l’impiego di strumentazione elettroacustica. Dal 2009 lo svolgimento dei survey acustici è parte integrante del Progetto MEDIAS (MEDiterranean International Acoustic Survey), inserito dagli Stati Membri partecipanti al Progetto all'interno del Programma Nazionale 2014-2016. Il Progetto prevede lo svolgimento di survey acustici annuali con lo scopo di valutare la biomassa e la distribuzione spaziale dei piccoli pelagici in aree del Mediterraneo, appartenenti all’Unione Europea. Le specie target sono le principali specie commerciali di piccoli pelagici in Mediterraneo, ovvero l’acciuga (Engraulis encrasicolus) e la sardina (Sardina pilchardus). Si tratta di specie a ciclo di vita breve caratterizzate da ampie oscillazioni interannuali nella biomassa. Negli anni in cui i livelli di biomassa sono particolarmente bassi l’effetto di un elevato sforzo di pesca porterebbe ad un collasso di tali risorse anche da un anno all’altro. Il collasso di tali specie è stato ben documentato in letteratura mostrando che i tempi di recupero sono molto lunghi e hanno effetti socio-economici catastrofici anche sulle comunità marinare che vivono grazie agli introiti derivanti dalla pesca e commercializzazione di prodotti in scatola. La presente relazione mostra le attività svolte a seguito del survey condotto a bordo della N/O Dallaporta nello Stretto di Sicilia (GSA 16) nell’estate del 2015. Oltre all’acquisizione dei dati acustici, sono state eseguite stazioni di pesca sui piccoli pelagici con rete da traino pelagica sperimentale (volante monobarca), accessoriata con sensori per il controllo dell’apertura e della posizione della rete nella colonna d’acqua. Nell’area di studio sono stati inoltre acquisiti i profili delle principali variabili oceanografiche con sonda multiparametrica CTD. Il rapporto descrive le diverse procedure adottate per l’analisi dei dati acquisiti ed il trattamento dei campioni biologici raccolti. Per le due specie target viene quindi fornita la distribuzione spaziale e la stima della biomassa, complessiva ma anche suddivisa per classi di taglia e classi di età

Relazione tecnica sulle attività della Campagna oceanografica "Ancheva 2008"

La presente relazione riporta le attività di ricerca svolte nella Campagna oceanografica "Ancheva 2008", nel periodo dal 4 al 14 Agosto 2008 a bordo della N/O "G. Dallaporta". Le suddette attività sono state parte integrante del Progetto "lAboratori di testing per dispositivi eLettroacustici, sensorI oceanograFici e metodologie finalizzati al monitoraggio dello stato delle risorse biologiche del mare" (ALIF), finanziato dal CIPE attraverso l’Assessorato Industria della Regione Sicilia. Alla Campagna oceanografica hanno partecipato i seguenti Enti: 1. Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC), CNR, U.O. (TP); 2. Istituto Scienze Marine (ISMAR–CNR), Sezione Pesca Marittima, CNR, Ancona; 3. FAO - MedSudMed Project; 4. Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences (MCFS), Fort S. Lucjan, MarsaXlokk, Malta. L'obiettivo della Campagna oceanografica è stato quello di valutare la distribuzione e l’abbondanza di piccoli pelagici, prevalentemente sardina (Sardina pilchardus) e acciuga (Engraulis encrasicolus), con l’impiego di strumentazione elettroacustica. Nella prima parte, l’area di lavoro è stata delimitata dalla piattaforma meridionale della Sicilia (da Marsala a oltre Capo Passero), nella seconda parte è stata poi studiata la piattaforma continentale di Malta. Le attività svolte sono di seguito descritte sinteticamente: - Rilevazioni acustiche degli stock di piccoli pelagici con echosounder scientifico “Simrad EK60”, con trasduttori split beam a scafo; - Campionamenti biologici di piccoli pelagici con rete pelagica dotata di sistema acustico “Simrad ITI” per il controllo della geometria della rete durante le attività di campionamento; - Campionamento acqua per la misurazione dei parametri fisico-chimici della colonna d’acqua con la sonda multiparametrica “Seabird 9/11”

Reproduction and Sexual Maturity of European Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Central Mediterranean Sea

Understanding drivers of fish maturity is essential to predict the productivity, stability, and resiliency of exploited populations. Size at maturity for European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Central Mediterranean Sea has never been published within rigorous peer review process. In the past, stock assessment working groups in the Mediterranean requested such information; however, the size at which 50% of the fish population reaches the sexual maturity (L50) often received weak estimates based on a single or few years of observation, which do not necessarily reflect the whole stock. To address this data gap for the Central Mediterranean Sea, the present research estimated size at maturity of European sardine in the Strait of Sicily. In the study period (2009–2017), sampled individuals exhibited significant differences in size range as well as in body condition and reproductive effort. Data also permitted a clear identification of the spawning season, starting in September–October and ending in March–April the following year. Along the analyzed period, the size at first maturity ranged from 108 to 124 mm (total length) for females and from 102 to 122 mm for males. Significant differences were recorded among genders and years. Moreover, a goodness-of-fit measure was proposed to assess the robustness and reliability of L50 estimates, and thus selecting those that minimize the fitting-associated errors. Finally, results suggested that the low proportion of immature individuals in the samples represents the main source of bias in L50 estimation and possible solution was also proposed

European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) age structure and growth rate in two contrasted areas of the Mediterranean Sea: the paradox of faster growth in oligotrophic seas

Fishery production is highly dependent on fish growth and environmental factors; primary production and temperature are the two most important variables affecting almost all biological rates, especially individual growth or population production rate. The growth of European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, was compared between two populations inhabiting different ecosystems: the Tyrrhenian Sea, characterized by riverine inputs and the Strait of Sicily, an oligotrophic area. The effects of habitat conditions on growth was also evaluated using literature data on other of European anchovy populations. Water temperature was confirmed to be a determinant factor for anchovy growth at the species level positively affecting the length at age-1. On the contrary, a negative relationship was found between chlorophyll-a and the length at age-1. These findings suggested that size at age-1 is strongly dependent on habitat conditions. The age structure differed significantly between the two populations, with the Tyrrhenian stock dominated by age-1 fish

Relazione tecnica sulle attività della campagna oceanografica “Evatir 2011”

La campagna oceanografica “Evatir 2011”, condotta a bordo della N/O “G. Dallaporta”, è stata la seconda campagna di valutazione acustica della biomassa pelagica nelle acque del Tirreno condotta grazie alla collaborazione tra i ricercatori dell’IAMC-CNR e del VNIRO di Mosca. Le ricerche condotte in tale periodo sono state finalizzate principalmente alla valutazione della biomassa e della distribuzione spaziale delle popolazioni di piccoli pelagici. Le specie target sono le principali specie commerciali di piccoli pelagici in Mediterraneo, ovvero l’acciuga (Engraulis encrasicolus) e la sardina (Sardina pilchardus). Si tratta di specie a ciclo di vita breve caratterizzate da ampie oscillazioni interannuali nella biomassa. Negli anni in cui i livelli di biomassa sono particolarmente bassi l’effetto di un elevato sforzo di pesca porterebbe ad un collasso di tali risorse anche da un anno all’altro. Il collasso di tali specie è stato ben documentato in letteratura mostrando che i tempi di recupero sono molto lunghi e hanno effetti socio-economici catastrofici anche sulle comunità marinare che vivono grazie agli introiti derivanti dalla pesca e commercializzazione di prodotti in scatola. Sono stati nel contempo acquisiti dati CTD al fine di studiare possibili influenze delle variabili ambientali sulla distribuzione spaziale delle specie oggetto di studio