Testing, Validation and Dissemination of an Innovative Biotechnology for Air and Water Treatment.

The present study is aimed to follow the start-up in the Italian and European framework of an American biotechnology for environmental decontamination and it focused on field testing stage for air treatment application, in parallel with a bench/pilot scale application on industrial wastewater treatment. The biotechnology applied is based on immobilized cell bioreactors, where air is ventilated and water is recirculated to provide the optimal conditions for the development of a mixed bacteria consortium, growing on contaminants captured from contaminated media (i.e. air or wastewater). The technology proposed has been studied from different perspectives, i.e. emission risk, overall sustainability and remediation performance. Several pilot installations have been accomplished for air treatment application, in different areas of interest. In particular, in the healthcare sector (hemodialysis unit, operatory room, intensive care unit and anatomo-pathological laboratory), where the protection against microbial and chemical agents is perceived as a necessity, both for operators and patients, the biotechnology displayed remarkable results, particularly on VOCs and bacterial count. In order to try and address one of the most challenging issue for air treatment, i.e. odor containment, two major pilot applications have been performed, on waste and wastewater treatment plant, with promising, but still unsteady results. A new opportunity for application was envisaged in radioactivity contaminated indoor environments and a preliminary impact assessment has been outlined, based on results obtained in different fields. For wastewater treatment, a single pilot scale plant was implemented and silk manufacturing effluent was object of the experimental remediation attempted. In a cost-effective perspective, the implementation of this system appears to be suitable for several solutions, i.e. within the framework of a multi-stage treatment process or as independent and easily implementable wastewater technology for cottage-scale manufacturing or small communities

Circular economy in Italian SMEs: A multi-method study

Abstract Climate change, population growth, and current rate of consumption at global scale have prompted academic and business communities to challenge the current models of production towards more circular approaches. This study aims at understanding what actions small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are taking to meet the challenges and opportunities of the circular economy (CE), analysing actions, barriers, enablers and the connection between CE, business strategy and performance. This research involved 254 Italian SMEs through a multi-method approach, including interviews, surveys, and focus groups. Twenty different CE practices related to waste management, packaging, supply chain and product/process design have been explored. The results show that several CE practices are simultaneously implemented by SMEs, thus supporting the notion that CE implies a systemic approach to company's value creation. In particular, waste management was widely applied (e.g. separated waste collection was carried out by 84% of the companies surveyed), while resource saving practices were implemented by only 14% of the sample. Higher costs are the main barrier to CE for early adopters (5.13 on a 7-point Likert-type scale). However, companies implementing CE practices perceive them as a business opportunity rather than a cost, thus showing that CE may represent a source of value creation for companies, particularly SMEs

D ’Aquilée (Italie) à Singidunum (Belgrade) : la route et le flfleuve

Il progetto « RecRoad – From Aquileia to Singidunum, reconstructing the paths of the Roman travelers » si pone come obiettivo la ricostruzione e mappatura dell’itinerario romano da Aquileia a Singidunum (Belgrado, Serbia) e lo studio del rapporto che univa la viabilità antica al paesaggio naturale e culturale. In questo contesto, un ruolo fondamentale è giocato dall’acqua e dai fiumi, che rendono prospere le città, ma mettono a rischio la sicurezza delle vie di terra. Questo contributo vuole esplorare, attraverso l’analisi del complesso rapporto fra viabilità terrestre e idrografia, tre casi esemplari di questa problematica : il territorio di Aquileia, nella Regio x, e i casi di Neviodunum e di Marsonia in Pannonia Superior. Integrando le fonti disponibili, sarà possibile meglio comprendere i problemi posti dalle diverse situazioni territoriali e ricostruire le scelte attuate dagli ingegneri romani nella costruzione delle strade

Exploring socio-economic externalities of development scenarios. An analysis of EU regions from 2008 to 2016

A great debate around development scenarios has come to define conversations around the economy and the environment, two dimensions that struggle to find a proper balance. In this paper we apply unconditional growth model analyses to a new and unique dataset of European regions between 2008 and 2016 and identify four development scenarios – green growth, green de-growth, black growth and black de-growth – characterized by different relationships between CO2 emissions and economic growth. We then map European regions across these four scenarios and describe the differences that occurred among regions in terms of socio-economic externalities, mainly competences, investments and well-being. Drawing on our analyses, we contribute to the debate on development scenarios and ecological macro-economics, as well as discuss implications for sustainability policy and research

Combination of metabolomic and proteomic analysis revealed different features among Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus and lactis strains while in vivo testing in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans highlighted probiotic properties

Lactobacillus delbrueckii represents a technologically relevant member of lactic acid bacteria, since the two subspecies bulgaricus and lactis are widely associated with fermented dairy products. In the present work, we report the characterization of two commercial strains belonging to L. delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus, lactis and a novel strain previously isolated from a traditional fermented fresh cheese. A phenomic approach was performed by combining metabolomic and proteomic analysis of the three strains, which were subsequently supplemented as food source to the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, with the final aim to evaluate their possible probiotic effects. Restriction analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA revealed that the novel foodborne strain belonged to L. delbrueckii subspecies lactis. Proteomic and metabolomic approaches showed differences in folate, aminoacid and sugar metabolic pathways among the three strains. Moreover, evaluation of C. elegans lifespan, larval development, brood size, and bacterial colonization capacity demonstrated that L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus diet exerted beneficial effects on nematodes. On the other hand, both L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis strains affected lifespan and larval development. We have characterized three strains belonging to L. delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus and lactis highlighting their divergent origin. In particular, the two closely related isolates L. delbrueckii subspecies lactis display different galactose metabolic capabilities. Moreover, the L. delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus strain demonstrated potential probiotic features. Combination of omic platforms coupled with in vivo screening in the simple model organism C. elegans is a powerful tool to characterize industrially relevant bacterial isolates

Indoor air quality monitoring and management in hospitality: an overarching framework

Purpose This study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the study of indoor air quality (IAQ) in hospitality premises. The goal is to identify the drivers of air pollution, both at the exogenous and endogenous level, to generate insights for facility managers. Design/methodology/approach The complexity of hospitality premises requires an integrated approach to properly investigate IAQ. The authors develop an overarching framework encompassing a monitoring method, based on real-time sensors, a technological standard and a set of statistical analyses for the assessment of both IAQ performance and drivers, based on correlation analyses, analysis of variance and multivariate regressions. Findings The findings suggest that the main drivers of IAQ differ depending on the area monitored: areas in contact with the outdoors or with high ventilation rates, such as halls, are affected by outdoor air quality more than guestrooms or fitness areas, where human activities are the main sources of contamination. Research limitations/implications The results suggest that the integration of IAQ indicators into control dashboards would support management decisions, both in defining protocols to support resilience of the sector in a postpandemic world and in directing investments on the premises. This would also address guests’ pressing demands for a broader approach to cleanliness and safety and support their satisfaction and intention to return. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study developing a comprehensive framework to systematically address IAQ and its drivers, based on a standard and real-time monitoring. The framework has been applied across the longest period of monitoring for a hospitality premise thus far and over an entire hotel facility

Multilevel-growth modeling for the study of sustainability transitions.

Sustainability Transitions (ST) is a complex phenomenon, encompassing environmental, societal and economic aspects. Its study requires a proper investigation, with the identification of a robust indicator and the definition of a suitable method of analysis. To identify the most informative geographical boundaries for analysing ST pathways, we consider the Carbon Emission Intensity (CEI) and estimate a four-level growth model to study its pattern over time for all the EU regions. We apply this model to a novel longitudinal dataset that covers CEI data of European regions at four different geographical scales (state, areas, regions, and provinces) over a nine-year timespan. This approach aims at supporting the decision-makers in developing more effective sustainability transitions policies across Europe, especially focusing on regions and overcoming the well-known “one-size fits all” approach. • The unconditional growth model has been applied to a multi-level structure considering four levels, defined by three geographical scales and time. • The ideal structure of the model would have required five levels, but the sample size of the dataset made the application computationally unfeasible; • The application of the model allowed to identify patterns of stability and change over time of the variable amongst different geographical units

Industrial carbon emission intensity: a comprehensive dataset of European regions.

The dataset has been developed within the framework of the EU EIT-Climate Kic Flagship Project “Re-Industrialise” and it includes data of Carbon Emission Intensity (CEI) from industrial sources for the European Regions. CEI is considered as a proxy for analysing the Industrial Sustainability Transition pathways and is calculated as the ratio between CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the industrial sector over a nine-year timespan, i.e. from 2008 to 2016. CO2e data at plant level have been retrieved from EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS) register and aggregated at different geographical scales, corresponding to the nested structure of NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics), proposed by EUROSTAT. Industrial GDP data have been selected from EUROSTAT database to match the industrial sectors covered by EU ETS

The Virtual Museum of the Tiber Valley Project

[EN] The aim of the Virtual Museum of the Tiber Valley project is the creation of an integrated digital system for the knowledge, valorisation and communication of the cultural landscape, archaeological and naturalistic sites along the Tiber Valley, in the Sabina area between Monte Soratte and the ancient city of Lucus Feroniae (Capena). Virtual reality applications, multimedia contents, together with a web site, are under construction and they will be accessed inside the museums of the territory and in a central museum in Rome. The different stages of work will cover the building of a geo-spatial archaeological database, the reconstruction of the ancient potential landscape and the creation of virtual models of the major archaeological sites. This paper will focus on the methodologies used and on present and future results.[ES] El objetivo del proyecto del Museo Virtual del Valle del Tiber es la creación de un sistema digital integrado para el conocimiento, la valorización y la comunicación del paisaje cultural, arqueológico y natural a lo largo del valle del Tíber, en la zona Sabina entre Monte Soratte y la antigua ciudad de Lucus Feroniae (Capena). Actualmente están en proceso de construcción varias aplicaciones de realidad virtual, contenidos multimedia, junto con un sitio web, a los que se tendrá acceso en diversos museos de la zona así como en un museo central ubicado en Roma. Las diferentes fases de trabajo se centrarán en la construcción de una base de datos arqueológicos geo-espacial, en la reconstrucción del paisaje antiguo y en la creación de los modelos virtuales de los sitios arqueológicos más importantes. Este documento se centra en la metodología utilizada, desgranado los resultados presentes y futuros esperados.Arnoldus Huyzendveld, A.; Di Ioia, M.; Ferdani, D.; Palombini, A.; Sanna, V.; Zanni, S.; Pietroni, E. (2012). The Virtual Museum of the Tiber Valley Project. Virtual Archaeology Review. 3(7):97-101. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2012.4396OJS9710137ADAM, J.P. (1988): L'arte di costruire presso i romani, Longanesi, Milano.CAMBI, F. (2004): "Le campagne di Falerii e di Capena dopo la romanizzazione", in Bridging the Tiber, London, pp. 75-102.COARELLI, F. (2009): "La romanizzazione della Sabina", in F. Coarelli et alii, "Falacrinae. Le origini di Vespasiano", Roma, pp. 11-17.DI GIUSEPPE, H. (2005): "Villae, villulae e fattorie nella Media Valle del Tevere, in Roman Villas around the Urbs: interaction with landscape and environment", in the Proceedings of a conference held at the Swedish Institute in Rome (September, 17-18, 2004), Roma.GROS, P. & TORELLI, M. (2007): Storia dell'urbanistica. Il mondo romano, Laterza, Roma.MORACHIELLO, P. & FONTANA, V. (2009): L'architettura del mondo romano, Laterza, Roma.PAROTTO, M. (2008): "Evoluzione paleogeografica dell'area romana: una breve sintesi", in Funiciello R., Praturlon A. & Giordano G. (ed) La Geologia di Roma dal centro storico alla periferia. Memorie Descrittive della Carta Geologica d'Italia, LXXX, pp. 25-39.SANTORO, P. (2006): "L'Etruria e i Sabini del Tevere: influenze culturali e commerciali", in Archeologia in Etruria meridionale, atti delle giornate di studio in ricordo di Mario Moretti (Civita Castellana, 14-15 novembre 2003), Roma, pp. 49-64.STERNINI, M. (2004): La Romanizzazione della Sabina Tiberina, Bari.TARQUINI, S., ISOLA, I., FAVALLI, M., MAZZARINI, F., BISSON, M., PARESCHI, M.T., BOSCHI, E. (2007): "TINITALY/01: a new Triangular Irregular Network of Italy", in Annals of Geophysics, nº 50, pp. 407-425.TARQUINI, S., VINCI, S., FAVALLI, M., DOUMAZ, F., FORNACIAI, A., NANNIPIERI, L. (2012): "Release of a 10-m-resolution DEM for the Italian territory: Comparison with global-coverage DEMs and anaglyph-mode exploration via the web", in Computers & Geosciences 38, 168-170. doi: doi:10.1016/j.cageo.2011.04.018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2011.04.018VITRUVIO, De Architectura

An exploration of content and drivers of online sustainability disclosure: a study of Italian organisations

Organisations have been disclosing environmental and social information through different tools, including their websites. However, the type of environmental and social information that organisations disclose online, and what are the characteristics of those organisations is still not fully understood. This research aims to (a) identify which environmental and social information organisations disclose online; and (ii) explore drivers of the specific information disclosed. We collected data on sustainability disclosures from 2008 Italian organisations. Results show that overall the amount of environmental and social information disclosed online is low. However, organisational characteristics explain different contents of disclosure. Bigger organisations (in terms of revenues and number of employees), and with environmental and social certifications in place tend to disclose more environmental and social information. Also, consumer goods’ organisations disclose mostly information related to the supply chain; whilst resource-intensive industries disclose mostly information on corporate social responsibility. This research shows that overall there is still a reserved attitude towards disclosing environmental and social information in Italian organisations, providing little information to stakeholders about environmental and social policies, strategies and practices. This study provides researchers and practitioners information on the content of sustainability information disclosed and possible drivers for their disclosure; this supports their understanding of the conditions where voluntary sustainability disclosure is more expected