Pisa Progetto Suburbio: paesaggi fluviali di età romana La campagna di scavo 2021 all’Area Scheibler

Since the 20th century ‘80s the Area Scheibler, located in the Western outskirts of Pisa, has been the place of findings and rescue excavations. Such discoveries testify the long-lasting history of this sector of the ancient suburb from the Iron Age to the Early Middle Age, with a consistent Roman phase. Core reading performed and geoelectrical investigation outlined that the area was crossed by a large fluvial channel, the disappeared Auser river. Investigated areas are located to the East (Area 4) and the West (Area 5) of the water course, of- fering a wide picture of the ancient landscape. From our investigation a complex stratigraphic sequence emerged: it was possible to recognise a fluvial landscape consist- ing of river bank protection structures, piers, navalia, and the probable remains of a via helciaria. Such evidence are signifi- cantly related to the close site of the Roman shipwrecks of Pisa San Rossore, dating from the second century BC. to the 5th century AD

Finalised dependability framework and evaluation results

The ambitious aim of CONNECT is to achieve universal interoperability between heterogeneous Networked Systems by means of on-the-fly synthesis of the CONNECTors through which they communicate. The goal of WP5 within CONNECT is to ensure that the non-functional properties required at each side of the connection going to be established are fulfilled, including dependability, performance, security and trust, or, in one overarching term, CONNECTability. To model such properties, we have introduced the CPMM meta-model which establishes the relevant concepts and their relations, and also includes a Complex Event language to express the behaviour associated with the specified properties. Along the four years of project duration, we have developed approaches for assuring CONNECTability both at synthesis time and at run-time. Within CONNECT architecture, these approaches are supported via the following enablers: the Dependability and Performance analysis Enabler, which is implemented in a modular architecture supporting stochastic verification and state-based analysis. Dependability and performance analysis also relies on approaches for incremental verification to adjust CONNECTor parameters at run-time; the Security Enabler, which implements a Security-by-Contract-with-Trust framework to guarantee the expected security policies and enforce them accordingly to the level of trust; the Trust Manager that implements a model-based approach to mediate between different trust models and ensure interoperable trust management. The enablers have been integrated within the CONNECT architecture, and in particular can interact with the CONNECT event-based monitoring enabler (GLIMPSE Enabler released within WP4) for run-time analysis and verification. To support a Model-driven approach in the interaction with the monitor, we have developed a CPMM editor and a translator from CPMM to the GLIMPSE native language (Drools). In this document that is the final deliverable from WP5 we first present the latest advances in the fourth year concerning CPMM, Dependability&Performance Analysis, Incremental Verification and Security. Then, we make an overall summary of main achievements for the whole project lifecycle. In appendix we also include some relevant articles specifically focussing on CONNECTability that have been prepared in the last period

Logistic regression versus artificial neural networks: landslide susceptibility evaluation in a sample area of the Serchio River valley, Italy

This article presents a multidisciplinary approach to landslide susceptibility mapping by means of logistic regression, artificial neural network, and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. The methodology applied in ranking slope instability developed through statistical models (conditional analysis and logistic regression), and neural network application, in order to better understand the relationship between the geological/geomorphological landforms and processes and landslide occurrence, and to increase the performance of landslide susceptibility models. The proposed experimental study concerns with a wide research project, promoted by the Tuscany Region Administration and APAT-Italian Geological Survey, aimed at defining the landslide hazard in the area of the Sheet 250 ‘‘Castelnuovo di Garfagnana’’ (1:50,000 scale). The study area is located in the middle part of the Serchio River basin and is characterized by high landslide susceptibility due to its geological, geomorphological, and climatic features, among the most severe in Italy. Terrain susceptibility to slope failure has been approached by means of indirect-quantitative statistical methods and neural network software application. Experimental results from different methods and the potentials and pitfalls of this methodological approach have been presented and discussed. Applying multivariate statistical analyses made it possible a better understanding of the phenomena and quantification of the relationship between the instability factors and landslide occurrence. In particular, the application of a multilayer neural network, equipped for supervised learning and error control, has improved the performance of the model. Finally, a first attempt to evaluate the classification efficiency of the multivariate models has been performed by means of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis approach

Zoning and mapping landslide hazard in the Castelnuovo di Garfagnana region (Tuscany, Italy)

ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) and Tuscany Region Administration recently promoted a research project, aimed at assessing and zoning landslide hazard. The project considered the region of the map n. 250 «Castelnuovo di Garfagnana» (Geological Map of Italy at 1:50,000 scale), mainly including the middle and upper Serchio River basin (Italy). The selected area, about 630 km2 wide, exhibits peculiar geological and geomorphological features, severe climatic conditions (1500-2000 mm of rainfall/year, on average) and high seismicity, which cause widespread landslide hazard for population and facilities. Following a multidisciplinary approach, the data coming from geological, geomorphological and geo-engineering characterization were transformed into GIS-oriented layers and matched with the actual landslide distribution, which was mainly concerned with the most representative landslide types (slide and complex slide-flow movements). Conditional analysis was firstly applied, aiming at evaluating the importance of the considered instability factors. Then an advanced statistical method (Logistic Regression) was applied, to evaluate the effectiveness of the predisposing factors and to provide the hazard ranking of the mapping units. So, the methodology proceeded step by step, as follows: - on site, 1:10,000 scale geomorphological survey, aerial view interpretation and performing of the landslide inventory map; - geo-engineering investigation and in situ and laboratory tests, to analyse physical and mechanical properties of rocks (discontinuity characterization, compression strength, rock mass classification) and soils (grain size, consistency); - organization of the spatial distribution of the considered factors in different layers, each related to a specific factor. The spatial overlay of the layers and their matching with the landslide distribution lead to connections between different instability factors and landslide occurrence; - GIS supported statistical analysis (spatial analysis, conditional and multivariate analyses, neural network technique), so allowing to supply hypothetical connections with an objective and quantitative response; - construction of a final landslide hazard map at 1:50,000 scale. In this map, basing on the stability probability, the landslide hazard is ranked into five classes (very low, low, middle, high and very high hazard). At present, the final map depicts spatially defined landslide susceptibility areas, and no estimate is given about the time of occurrence. The next steps of the research will confront these results with the critical rainfall thresholds for triggering landslides and with the rainfall infiltration models, in order to realise early warning systems and protect population, villages and activities

Zoning and mapping landslide hazard in the Castelnuovo di Garfagnana region (Tuscany, Italy)

ISPRA and Tuscany Region Administration recently funded a project aimed at assessing and mapping landslide hazard of the area of the n. 250 «Castelnuovo di Garfagnana» map (1:50,000 scale). The area includes the upper Serchio River basin (Tuscany, Italy) and exhibits peculiar geological and geomorphological features and severe climatic conditions, which cause high landslide hazard. The project proceeded as follows: 1:10,000 geomorphological survey and landslide inventory map; physical and mechanical properties of rocks (discontinuities, strength, rock mass classification) and soils (grain size, consistency); GIS oriented organization of the spatial distribution of the considered factors; GIS supported statistical analysis (spatial analysis, conditional and multivariate analyses, neural network technique); landslide hazard map, where landslide hazard is subdivided into five classes based on instability probability; final products: landslide hazard map at 1:50,000 scale, together with other related maps (landslide map, structural sketch, geotechnical sketch, isohyet map, etc.); explaining booklet; database

Multidisciplinary investigations in evaluating landslide susceptibility. An example in the Serchio River valley (Italy)

The proposed experimental study is aimed at contributing to the landslide susceptibility evaluation using a multidisciplinary approach: geological, geomorphological and geo-engineering survey, together with multivariate statistical analysis and GIS technique. It is included in a wider research project, aimed at defining the landslide hazard in the area of the map no. 250 ‘‘Castelnuovo di Garfagnana’’ (1:50 000 scale). This study is based on the realization of a landslides inventory map and statistical data analysis using probabilistic methods. The methodology applied in ranking slope instability proceeded step by step. At first, geomorphologic investigation was performed in order to realize a landslide inventory map. A GIS database was created to collect the characteristics related to landslides geometry, type of movement and state of activity. Geo-engineering survey and characterization with in situ and laboratory tests allowed assessing Rock Mass Classification and geotechnical properties of soils (texture and consistency). The statistical approach for evaluating the landslide susceptibility is based on the assumption that the landslide probability for the currently landslides-free areas could be evaluated studying the conditions which led to past and present instability. A set of environmental factors, thought to be related to landslides, were analysed and their spatial distribution organized in different layers. Then, GIS-supported spatial analysis, conditional and multivariate analysis, allowed to calculate the connections between instability factors and landslide distribution. This step evolved towards two distinct statistical methods, both indirect and quantitative, leading to a classification of the land surface in some different susceptibility domains. Conditional analysis was applied to a particular type of terrain unit named Unique Condition Unit (UCU) that is a unique combination of the instability factors. The computer-aided evaluation of the landslide index within each UCU represents the probability of landslide occurrence, according to Bayes statistical concept. Multivariate analysis was applied to the same set of instability factors, but to a different type of terrain unit, the grid cell. The results showed a quantitative response, more reliable about the effectiveness of each instability factors, with the possibility of verifying their statistical significance

S. Sisto Project 2020. Archeologia dei centri del potere pubblico a Pisa

Nell’articolo sono presentati e discussi i risultati della prima campagna di scavo realizzata nel giardino della chiesa di S. Sisto, nel centro storico di Pisa, nel corso del 2020. La ricerca nasce come attività legata al Progetto di eccellenza “I tempi delle strutture. Resilienze, accelerazioni e percezioni del cambiamento (nello spazio euro-mediterraneo)” del Dipartimento di Civiltà e Forme del sapere dell’Università di Pisa, che, per la linea medievale-archeologica, prevede lo studio delle aree del potere pubblico del territorio toscano (curtes regie, curtes marchionis, domus communis ed episcopia) tra VII e XII secolo. Lo spazio oggi occupato dal giardino era posto in Età medievale tra la chiesa di S. Sisto, fondata nel 1087 dai “gloriosi pisani” che avevano partecipato alla spedizione contro i saraceni Al Mahdiya, presso Tunisi, e quella di S. Pietro, che nel 1027 viene ricordata come posta in “corte Vecchia”. Quest’ultima è stata tradizionalmente identificata dagli studiosi con la sede del potere pubblico in uso tra l’Età longobarda e l’inizio dell’XI secolo. Sarebbe stata poi abbandonata, divenendo appunto “vecchia”, con la scomparsa dei conti, poco dopo il 1000, per poi tornare ad avere una funzione pubblica con la fondazione di S. Sisto, destinata a divenire una sorta di Staatskirche per il popolo pisano nel corso del XII secolo, quando lo spazio adiacente all’edificio ospitò una fiera annuale e un embolo, una struttura porticata su cui si affacciavano delle botteghe. Lo scavo ha consentito di raggiungere le stratigrafie di XII secolo periodo al quale si data la realizzazione di un muro, parallelo alla chiesa di S. Sisto, che verosimilmente doveva costituire il perimetrale meridionale di un braccio del chiostro attestato alla fine del XIII secolo, pavimentato con le lastre di copertura di grandi tombe in muratura. L’edificio viene distrutto all’inizio del XV secolo, verosimilmente in coincidenza con la conquista fiorentina della città. I materiali rinvenuti mostrano comunque una lunga e ininterrotta frequentazione dell’area dalla seconda metà del VII secolo a.C. fino ad oggi. In particolare, l’ipotetica presenza al di sotto delle stratigrafie di XII secolo di strutture riferibili alla corte vecchia citata nel 1027 sembra suggerita dai reperti residui: sigillata africana e anfore di VI-VII secolo, vetrina pesante di IX secolo, oltre ad un architrave in marmo decorato con motivi che si datano sempre al IX secolo