the effectiveness of geographical data in multi criteria evaluation of landscape services

The aim of the paper is to map and evaluate the state of the multifunctional landscape of the municipality of Naples (Italy) and its surroundings, through a Spatial Decision-Making support system (SDSS) combining geographic information system (GIS) and a multi-criteria method an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). We conceive a knowledge-mapping-evaluation (KME) framework in order to investigate the landscape as a complex system. The focus of the proposed methodology involving data gathering and processing. Therefore, both the authoritative and the unofficial sources, e.g., volunteered geographical information (VGI), are useful tools to enhance the information flow whenever quality assurance is performed. Thus, the maps of spatial criteria are useful for problem structuring and prioritization by considering the availability of context-aware data. Finally, the identification of landscape services (LS) and ecosystem services (ES) can improve the decision-making processes within a multi-stakeholders perspective involving the evaluation of the trade-off. The results show multi-criteria choropleth maps of the LS and ES with the density of services, the spatial distribution, and the surrounding benefits

A spatial decision support system for multifunctional landscape assessment: a transformative resilience perspective for vulnerable inland areas

The concept of transformative resilience has emerged from the recent literature and represents a way to interpret the potential opportunities for change in vulnerable territories, where a socioeconomic change is required. This article extends the perspective of transformative resilience to an assessment of the landscape multifunctionality of inland areas, exploring the potential of identifying a network of synergies among the different municipalities that is able to trigger a process of territorial resilience. A spatial decision support system (SDSS) for multifunctionality landscape assessment aims to help local actors understand local resources and multifunctional values of the Partenio Regional Park (PRP) and surrounding municipalities, in the South of Italy, stimulating their cooperation in the management of environmental and cultural sites and the codesign of new strategies of enhancement. The elaboration of spatial indicators according to Landscape Services classification and the interaction between the “Analytic Network Process” (ANP) method, spatial weighted overly and geographic information system (GIS) support the identification of a preferable scenario able to activate a transformative resilience strategy in selected vulnerable inland areas, which can be scaled up in other similar contexts

A Hybrid Evaluation framework for Multi-functional Landscapes (HEMuL). Theoretical approaches and operative tools for sustainability science.

L’obiettivo fondamentale di questa ricerca concerne l’individuazione dei caratteri multi-funzionali dei paesaggi e dei valori complessi che ne derivano, al fine di strutturare un modello di valutazione che sia in grado di integrare gli approcci teorici, analitici ed esperienziali, e che migliori il dialogo all’interno dei processi decisionali complessi legati alla pianificazione e alla gestione di Landscape Services (LS) e Ecosystem Services (ES). I risultati attesi sono orientati alla costruzione di un framework ibrido di valutazione che sia utile alla comprensione della struttura spaziale, delle funzioni e dei processi che caratterizzano i paesaggi multi-funzionali. Il principale contributo che intende fornire questa tesi è, infatti, relativo alla costruzione di una metodologia di valutazione ibrida, in grado di supportare ricercatori e professionisti che affrontano questioni multi-dimensionali complesse proprie di un approccio place-based al paesaggio. Lo scopo di operare all’interno di una cornice metodologica integrata e interdisciplinare consente, da un lato, di organizzare la conoscenza delle dinamiche complesse che caratterizzano le varie forme di paesaggio (urbano, agricolo, semi-agricolo, naturale), dall’altro, di orientare i processi di Decision-Making spaziale verso una traiettoria di sostenibilità. La teoria dei LS/ES è, infatti, un tentativo di rendere operativo il concetto di sostenibilità all’interno di una cornice inter-disciplinare e multi-metodologica. Inoltre, l’integrazione di LS/ES nei processi di pianificazione spaziale costituisce un approccio considerevole allo sviluppo sostenibile di piani e programmi dal momento che rende espliciti tali servizi, stimolando il dialogo sui trade-off che sorgono fra la dimensione ecologica e socio-economica della pianificazione. In sintesi, l’indagine alla base di questa tesi sarà incentrata sulle diverse tipologie di sostenibilità che afferiscono all’ambito multidimensionale, procedurale e istituzionale. L’ambito multidimensionale considera le caratteristiche socio-economiche e ambientali del paesaggio in un’ottica integrata, attraverso l’esplorazione dei limiti e delle potenzialità del concetto di LS. L’ambito procedurale riguarda invece le procedure di valutazione orientate alla sostenibilità, fra le quali i metodi multi-criteri giocano un ruolo fondamentale nell’aggregazione e nella comunicazione dei risultati, nonché nel coinvolgimento di diversi attori in diversi contesti decisionali. L’ambito istituzionale, infine, indaga gli strumenti di governance e il loro possibile riassetto secondo logiche adattive che mirino alla sostenibilità

Creative Ecosystem Services for New Urban-Rural Communities: The "VàZapp" Experience

Food cycles, as dynamic and ever-changing systems, need flexible solutions to be co-designed and co-evaluated to generate benefits for people and the environment. Regenerating capital stocks of ecosystem services through urban-rural cooperation requires a “creative capital” which can continuously innovate the use of resources, skills, knowledge, and impact monitoring. Moreover, cultural creative enterprises generate a new value chain in which tangible and intangible assets join the “shared value” perspective to enable a new supply chain as a pillar of the circular economy paradigm. In this perspective, a model for a creative food cycles value chain has been designed, using a Stated Preference (SP) method. A social/ creative enterprise—called “VàZapp’” (Foggia, Apulia region)—has been selected as a case study for the testing of the proposed model. The research results allow preliminary reflections about the definition of “creative ecosystem services” as tools for overcoming some critical issues concerning urban-rural cooperation

VERSO UN MODELLO CITTÀ-PORTO CIRCOLARE: UN SISTEMA DI SUPPORTO ALLA DECISIONE MULTIDIMENSIONALE E MULTISCALARE PER NAPOLI EST

The principles and approaches of the Circular Economy require an appropriate declination and interpretation for their territorial implementation in the City-Port system, taking into account the specific context and highlight how the different “waste resources” can become the input for new regeneration processes. At the same time, it is relevant to understand how it is possible to identify in the urban and territorial regeneration processes a selection of actions, which can activate, promote and consolidate circular, synergic and symbiotic processes. The paper describes a multi-dimensional and multi-scale decision support system that integrates the approaches and techniques of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to analyze two regeneration scenarios for the City-Port of Naples, Italy, and select the actions recognized as priorities for the San Giovanni a Teduccio port area, in order to make operational the Circular Economy principles

Assessing the sustainability of the city-port transformations: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) for alternatives portfolio selection.

In recent years, the EU has sought to define sustainable transition pathways towards more equitable, prosperous, and inclusive urban and territorial models, capable of responding to the rapid degradation of ecosystems, and improving quality of life of citizens. In this context, ports have been recognised as key strategic hubs not only for economic and logistical competitiveness, but also to generate employment and investment opportunities, and to address the challenges of the climate change. The research presents a multi-scale, multi-dimensional and multi- group methodological framework to support decision-making processes related to the development of sustainable transformations of port cities, capturing the complexity of interactions and conflicts. Integrating Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approaches and Problem Structuring Methods (PSM), the proposed methodology aims to address the following gaps identified in the literature: (i) a scattered application of multi-group methods; (ii) the lack of social instances within the decision problem; (iii) a weak sustainability perspective; (iv) the use of one-dimensional scale assessment in sectoral studies. The case study of the city-port of Gela in Sicily (Italy) provided an opportunity to test the proposed methodology and to integrate multi-dimensional sustainability issues into feasibility studies, promoting a more balanced relationship between city and port. The interdependencies between environment, society and economy allowed MCDA to be identified as a suitable approach to address complex decision-making and support the sustainability assessment of port areas transformation. Two multi-criteria and multi-group evaluation methods guided the decision-making process to select a portfolio of preferred alternatives by assessing technical, environmental, and economic impacts and analysing stakeholder conflicts and coalitions. The process was carried out as follows: on the one hand, a multidimensional impact matrix integrating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) divided into technical, financial-economic, and environmental categories through the application of the multi-criteria method EVAMIX; on the other hand, a social assessment with a dendrogram of coalitions derived from the application of the multi-group method NAIADE by modelling stakeholders’ preferences regarding a portfolio of alternatives related to the decision problem

Examining the variability of neurocognitive functioning in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis: a meta-analysis

This study aims to meta-analytically characterize the presence and magnitude of within-group variability across neurocognitive functioning in young people at Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHR-P) and comparison groups. Multistep, PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO-CRD42020192826) of the Web of Science database, Cochrane Central Register of Reviews and Ovid/PsycINFO and trial registries up to July 1, 2020. The risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the NOS for cohort and cross-sectional studies. Original studies reporting neurocognitive functioning in individuals at CHR-P compared to healthy controls (HC) or first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients were included. The primary outcome was the random-effect meta-analytic variability ratios (VR). Secondary outcomes included the coefficient of variation ratios (CVR). Seventy-eight studies were included, relating to 5162 CHR-P individuals, 2865 HC and 486 FEP. The CHR-P group demonstrated higher variability compared to HC (in descending order of magnitude) in visual memory (VR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.02-1.94), executive functioning (VR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.18-1.45), verbal learning (VR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.15-1.45), premorbid IQ (VR: 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.49), processing speed (VR: 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.48), visual learning (VR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.34), and reasoning and problem solving (VR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.34). In the CVR analyses the variability in CHR-P population remains in the previous neurocognitive domains and emerged in attention/vigilance, working memory, social cognition, and visuospatial ability. The CHR-P group transitioning to psychosis showed greater VR in executive functioning compared to those not developing psychosis and compared to FEP groups. Clinical high risk for psychosis subjects shows increased variability in neurocognitive performance compared to HC. The main limitation of this study is the validity of the VR and CVR as an index of variability which has received debate. This finding should be explored by further individual-participant data research and support precision medicine approaches

Neurocognitive Functioning in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis

IMPORTANCE: Neurocognitive functioning is a potential biomarker to advance detection, prognosis, and preventive care for individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P). The current consistency and magnitude of neurocognitive functioning in individuals at CHR-P are undetermined. OBJECTIVE: To provide an updated synthesis of evidence on the consistency and magnitude of neurocognitive functioning in individuals at CHR-P. DATA SOURCES: Web of Science database, Cochrane Central Register of Reviews, and Ovid/PsycINFO and trial registries up to July 1, 2020. STUDY SELECTION: Multistep literature search compliant with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology performed by independent researchers to identify original studies reporting on neurocognitive functioning in individuals at CHR-P. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Independent researchers extracted the data, clustering the neurocognitive tasks according to 7 Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) domains and 8 CHR-P domains. Random-effect model meta-analyses, assessment of publication biases and study quality, and meta-regressions were conducted. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary effect size measure was Hedges g of neurocognitive functioning in individuals at CHR-P (1) compared with healthy control (HC) individuals or (2) compared with individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) or (3) stratified for the longitudinal transition to psychosis. RESULTS: A total of 78 independent studies were included, consisting of 5162 individuals at CHR-P (mean [SD; range] age, 20.2 [3.3; 12.0-29.0] years; 2529 [49.0%] were female), 2865 HC individuals (mean [SD; range] age, 21.1 [3.6; 12.6-29.2] years; 1490 [52.0%] were female), and 486 individuals with FEP (mean [SD; range] age, 23.0 [2.0; 19.1-26.4] years; 267 [55.9%] were female). Compared with HC individuals, individuals at CHR-P showed medium to large deficits on the Stroop color word reading task (g = −1.17; 95% CI, −1.86 to −0.48), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised (g = −0.86; 95% CI, −1.43 to −0.28), digit symbol coding test (g = −0.74; 95% CI, −1.19 to −0.29), Brief Assessment of Cognition Scale Symbol Coding (g = −0.67; 95% CI, −0.95 to −0.39), University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (g = −0.55; 95% CI, −0.97 to −0.12), Hinting Task (g = −0.53; 95% CI, −0.77 to −0.28), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (g = −0.50; 95% CI, −0.78 to −0.21), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) (g = −0.50; 95% CI, −0.64 to −0.36), and National Adult Reading Test (g = −0.52; 95% CI, −1.01 to −0.03). Individuals at CHR-P were less impaired than individuals with FEP. Longitudinal transition to psychosis from a CHR-P state was associated with medium to large deficits in the CVLT task (g = −0.58; 95% CI, −1.12 to −0.05). Meta-regressions found significant effects for age and education on processing speed. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Findings from this meta-analysis support neurocognitive dysfunction as a potential detection and prognostic biomarker in individuals at CHR-P. These findings may advance clinical research and inform preventive approaches

Functional Differences in Visceral and Subcutaneous Fat Pads Originate from Differences in the Adipose Stem Cell

Metabolic pathologies mainly originate from adipose tissue (AT) dysfunctions. AT differences are associated with fat-depot anatomic distribution in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral omental (VAT) pads. We address the question whether the functional differences between the two compartments may be present early in the adipose stem cell (ASC) instead of being restricted to the mature adipocytes. Using a specific human ASC model, we evaluated proliferation/differentiation of ASC from abdominal SAT-(S-ASC) and VAT-(V-ASC) paired biopsies in parallel as well as the electrophysiological properties and functional activity of ASC and their in vitro-derived adipocytes. A dramatic difference in proliferation and adipogenic potential was observed between the two ASC populations, S-ASC having a growth rate and adipogenic potential significantly higher than V-ASC and giving rise to more functional and better organized adipocytes. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive electrophysiological analysis of ASC and derived-adipocytes, showing electrophysiological properties, such as membrane potential, capacitance and K+-current parameters which confirm the better functionality of S-ASC and their derived adipocytes. We document the greater ability of S-ASC-derived adipocytes to secrete adiponectin and their reduced susceptibility to lipolysis. These features may account for the metabolic differences observed between the SAT and VAT. Our findings suggest that VAT and SAT functional differences originate at the level of the adult ASC which maintains a memory of its fat pad of origin. Such stem cell differences may account for differential adipose depot susceptibility to the development of metabolic dysfunction and may represent a suitable target for specific therapeutic approaches