Is the Combination of the Nationalities of the Couple Affecting Women’s Fertility Intentions? Insights from Italy

Recently, there has been a rising interest on migrants’ fertility intentions (FIs). However, to the best of our knowledge, none of these studies have investigated the role played by the combination of the nationalities of the couple on women’s short-term intentions of having a(nother) child. This article is aimed at contributing to the existing literature on the subject by filling this gap, testing whether and how women’s FIs differ according to the type of couple (native, mixed and migrant couples) while disentangling the influence of the selection and socialization or adaptation hypotheses. Data drawn from two ISTAT surveys were harmonized and merged for multivariate analyses. Results shown that both individual and couples’ characteristics matter in shaping differences in FIs between foreign women partnered to Italian men and foreign women partnered to foreign men. Simultaneously, the FIs gap between foreign women partnered to Italian men and Italian women partnered to Italian men also decreased, giving support to the adaptation theory. Finally, findings point out to the presence of gradients in the explanatory power of the adaptation hypothesis to differences in FIs across groups of migrant women according to their area of nationality

Employment insecurity and mental health during the economic recession : an analysis of the young adult labour force in Italy

Background and objective. A growing body of scientific literature highlights the negative consequences of employment insecurity on several life domains. This study focuses on the young adult labour force in Italy, investigating the relationship between employment insecurity and mental health and whether this has changed after years of economic downturn. It enhances understanding by addressing differences in mental health according to several employment characteristics; and by exploring the role of respondents’ economic situation and educational level. Data and Methods. Data from a large-scale, nationally representative health survey are used to estimate the relationship between employment insecurity and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI), by means of multiple linear regressions. Results and Conclusions. The study demonstrates that employment insecurity is associated with poorer mental health. Moreover, neither temporary workers nor unemployed individuals are a homogeneous group. Previous job experience is important in differentiating the mental health risks of unemployed individuals; and the effects on mental health vary according to occupational status and to the amount of time spent in a condition of insecurity. Further, the experience of financial difficulties partly explains the relationship between employment insecurity and mental health; and different mental health outcomes depend on respondents’ educational level. Lastly, the risks of reporting poorer mental health were higher in 2013 than in 2005.PostprintPeer reviewe

Rockfall hazard mitigation in coastal environments using dune protection: A nature-based solution case on Barinatxe beach (Basque Coast, northern Spain)

Across the world, coastal environments of great landscape, recreational and environmental value are coming under increasing pressure. Within such environments, cliffs are particularly characteristic and unique elements, in which processes of instability develop. Their management requires a transdisciplinary approach ensuring protection of the natural condition of the environment, while at the same time allowing for their continued use and enjoyment. In the case of Barinatxe (Basque Coast), the beach has evolved into a system of foredunes, flanked by cliffs with frequent rockfall processes. This research analyzes the effect of coastal dunes as an element of natural protection. To this end, based on a Digital Terrain Model developed by Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and in situ geological characterization, 3D modeling has been used to analyze rockfall trajectories and evaluate their runout and energy. These models confirm the protective role of coastal dunes, which act as efficient natural barriers against rock blocks that become detached from cliffs. This is particularly important in areas where the use of tools based on Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) guidelines is recommended.This study has been carried out by the UPV/EHU Research Group IT1678-22 (Government of the Basque Country) in the framework of the strategic project “Analysis of instabilities in coastal environments of the Basque Country” PES-18/97 (University of the Basque Country)

High-Resolution 3D FEM Stability Analysis of the Sabereebi Cave Monastery, Georgia

This study assesses the static stability of the artificial Sabereebi Cave Monastery southeast of Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. The cliff into which these Georgian-Orthodox caverns, chapels, and churches were carved consists of a five-layered sequence of weak sedimentary rock—all of which bear a considerable failure potential and, consequently, pose the challenge of preservation to geologists, engineers, and archaeologists. In the first part of this study, we present a strategy to process point cloud data from drone photogrammetry as well as from laser scanners acquired in- and outside the caves into high-resolution CAD objects that can be used for numerical modeling ranging from macro- to micro-scale. In the second part, we explore four distinct series of static elasto-plastic finite element stability models featuring different levels of detail, each of which focuses on specific geomechanical scenarios such as classic landsliding due to overburden, deformation of architectural features as a result of stress concentration, material response to weathering, and pillar failure due to vertical load. With this bipartite approach, the study serves as a comprehensive 3D stability assessment of the Sabereebi Cave Monastery on the one hand; on the other hand, the established procedure should serve as a pilot scheme, which could be adapted to different sites in the future combining non-invasive and relatively cost-efficient assessment methods, data processing and hazard estimation

Rockfall susceptibility analysis through 3D simulations in marine protected areas of the Portofino coastline: case studies of San Fruttuoso and Paraggi bays

The research focuses on the assessment of the potential geomorphological hazards affecting the stability of the Promontory of Portofino (Regional Natural Park of Portofino, Northern Italy), mainly on the bays of San Fruttuoso and Paraggi. The study area constitutes one of the most representative and most populated environments, both by locals and tourists, of the entire Liguria area. For this reason, there is a growing need for investigation on the natural dynamics of these landscapes, based on detailed topographic information. The research starts from a regional geological and geomorphological analysis specific to the study area, combined with a multi-model comparison algorithm (M3C2), which allows comparing two LiDAR datasets acquired in 2008 and 2020, respectively, to assess the overall dynamics of the promontory development. Then, a detailed study of San Fruttuoso and Paraggi bays, two key points for visitors and therefore for management, is performed. Three-dimensional modeling of rockfalls is carried out, which allows the development of a specific management oriented to the use of nature-based solutions (NBSs) strategies, respecting the environment and increasing safety against instability processes in these areas.This study has been carried out in the framework of a collaboration among ISPRA, GISIG, Universita di Genova, and Universidad del Pais Vasco (UPV/EHU, IT1678-22 Research Group, PES-18/92 Project) within the RECONECT Project (Regenerating ECOsystems with Nature-based solutions for hydro-meteorological risk rEduCTion)

Multiscale Analysis of Geo-Hazards Affecting the Alhambra Cultural Heritage

[EN] This paper presents a multiscale methodology to perform successful geo-hazards assessment in the context of Cultural Heritage. The methodology, defined in the European PROTHEGO project, has been applied to the Alhambra case study. Alhambra is an important Word Heritage site located in Andalusia, Spain. The site is prone to suffer flood, earthquake and landslide phenomena. The proposed multiscale methodology leans on new remote monitoring and modelling technics that not entail aesthetic and functional impacts on the site. For large-scale monitoring, satellite remote sensing technology enables to detect and characterize spatiotemporal ground and structure deformation as a whole, with up to millimeter precision. For very local phenomena analysis, small-scale monitoring based on Terrestrial Laser Scanner and airborne drone digital photogrammetry surveys enables to detect erosion processes that affect the slopes of the citadel. Furthermore, numerical modelling enables geo-mechanical instabilities to be quantified at different scales. Large-scale modelling shows that the most dangerous slope is located at the San Pedro cliff site. Small-scale stability analysis in the San Pedro cliff shows that a slope failure, triggered by a possible earthquake scenario, could reach the wall foundations of the Alhambra citadel located 22 m behind it. Finally, very detailed small-scale modelling, using very precise digital elevation models, enables to track local instabilities and erosion phenomena. Such a multiscale, interdisciplinary approach is the most effective way to identify, assess and monitor risks, strengthening disaster preparedness at heritage property.The research leading to these results has been supported by the PROTHEGO Project (Protection of European Cultural Heritage from Geo-hazards), funded through the framework of the Joint Programming Initiative on Cultural Heritage and Global Change (JPICH), and under ERA-NET Plus and the Seventh Framework Program (FP7) of the European CommissionPeer reviewe

Risk factors of one year increment of coronary calcifications and survival in hemodialysis patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heart and coronary calcifications in hemodialysis patients are of very common occurrence and linked to cardiovascular events and mortality. Several studies have been published with similar results. Most of them were mainly cross-sectional and some of the prospective protocols were aimed to evaluate the results of the control of altered biochemical parameters of mineral disturbances with special regard to serum calcium, phosphate and CaxP with the use of calcium containing and calcium free phosphate chelating agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in hemodialysis patients classic and some non classic risk factors as predictors of calcification changes after one year and to evaluate the impact of progression on survival.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>81 patients on hemodialysis were studied, with a wide age range and HD vintage. Several classic parameters and some less classic risk factors were studied like fetuin-A, CRP, 25-OHD and leptin. Calcifications, as Agatston scores, were evaluated with Multislice CT basally and after 12-18 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Coronary artery calcifications were observed in 71 of 81 patients. Non parametric correlations between Agatston scores and Age, HD Age, PTH and CRP were significant. Delta increments of Agatston scores correlated also with serum calcium, CaxP, Fetuin-A, triglycerides and serum albumin. Logistic regression analysis showed Age, PTH and serum calcium as important predictors of Delta Agatston scores. LN transformation of the not normally distributed variables restricted the significant correlations to Age, BMI and CRP. Considering the Delta Agatston scores as dependent, significant predictors were Age, PTH and HDL. A strong association was found between basal calcification scores and Delta increment at one year. By logistic analysis, the one year increments in Agatston scores were found to be predictors of mortality. Diabetic and hypertensive patients have significantly higher Delta scores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Progression of calcification is of common occurrence, with special regard to elevated basal scores, and is predictive of survival. Higher predictive value of survival is linked to the one year increment of calcification scores. Some classic and non classic risk factors play an important role in progression. Some of them could be controlled with appropriate management with possible improvement of mortality.</p

Life expectancy: complex measures of the length and the health related quality of life

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;: Life expectancy is one of the most frequently used indicators to assess mortality and the health of a population. It is a synthetic measure of mortality, which has the advantage of allowing for comparisons over time and between different groups, while eliminating the influence of the age structure of the population. Life expectancy has the advantage of being very easy to understand, although it needs to be interpreted within the context of the complex system of hypothesis that generates it. This is even more important for health expectancies and health gap measures, which are synthetic indicators that take into account both survival and health condition of a population.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods&lt;/strong&gt;: It is given a description of the most frequently used methods to calculate life expectancy, health expectancies and health gap measures. Measures of health expectancy are disability free life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. As health gap measures, frequently are used DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Discussion&lt;/strong&gt;: There are various bodies and central government agencies that either have management data or carry out statistical systematic surveys and disability surveys. Statistically speaking, the worst aspect of this scenario is that it creates confusion and uncertainty among the end users of this data, namely the policy makers. At an international level the statistical data on disability is scarcely comparable among countries, despite huge efforts on the part of international organisations to harmonize classifications and definitions of disability.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results and Conclusions&lt;/strong&gt;: There are several methods to compute life expectancy, each of these has some advantages and some disadvantages. Usually life expectancy is used also to account for the health status of population. Actually with the growing role of chronic and degenerative diseases, the increased number of years lived are potentially independent from increase in health status of the population. Quantity and quality of live are not anymore strictly related, then a higher quantity of life does not equate to a better quality of life. For this reason are used health expectancies measures that are very useful morbidity-mortality indicators able to summarize information on quantity and quality of the years lived.&lt;/p&gt