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In this paper the stability of traffic equilibrium is analysed by using a framework where advanced traveller information systems (ATIS) are explicitly modelled. The role played by information in traffic networks is discussed, with particular reference to the day-to-day dynamics of the traffic network and to system stability at equilibrium. The perspective adopted is that of transportation planning under recurrent network conditions. The network is considered to be in equilibrium, viewed as a fixed-point state of a day-to-day deterministic process, here modelled as a time-discrete non-linear Markovian dynamic system. In discussing the effects generated by the introduction of ATIS, the paper examines: changes in the fixed point(s) with respect to the absence of ATIS, how the theoretical conditions for fixed-point existence and uniqueness are affected, and the impact on the stability properties and the stability region at equilibrium. Most of the analyses are carried out with explicit theoretical considerations. Moreover, a toy network is also employed to explore numerically the effects of removing some assumptions concerning the accuracy of ATIS.

This paper addresses the problem of traffic signal setting with demand assignment. Approaches to this in the literature and in practice are based on equilibrium assignment. However, it is widely acknowledged that there are some relevant issues that may not be effectively addressed under the equilibrium approach - mainly uniqueness and stability, sensitivity to parameters and/or starting state. These issues should be better dealt with a day-to-day dynamic approach, through deterministic (or stochastic) process models. The issue seems relevant because optimization of signal timings under equilibrium assumptions may not guarantee that an effective solution is obtained, as it may well not be an attractor of the evolution over time. This paper presents a simple but effective deterministic process model based on exponential smoothing filters, which also include effects of signal setting. This model allows to state local stability of fixed-point states (consistent with equilibrium patterns) through the spectral analysis of the Jacobian matrix of the recursive equations modelling the evolution over time of the system. The paper also presents an expression of equilibrium stability conditions that can be included as constraints within global optimization models for signal setting. Such models guarantee that stability conditions are satisfied by the solution. Results from an application to a toy network, supporting major theoretical findings, are also reported. The very simple example allows for graphical representation to develop a general method useful to address implementation at real scale.

In the Mediterranean flatfish are valuable fishery resources, with potential for aquaculture production. The assessment and monitoring of the stocks status are crucial to achieve environment-friendly management. However, the coexistence of two cryptic Solea species, S. solea and S. aegyptiaca, might lead to misidentification of specimens during the collection of fishery data, especially in areas where they live in sympatry. Using recently developed molecular markers, which have enabled their reliable identification, we provide new insights on the evolutionary history of the Mediterranean soles by analyzing species distribution, population structure, demography and inter-specific reproductive interactions with multiple molecular datasets. The analyses reveal a wider distribution of S. aegyptiaca in the Mediterranean Sea than previously described, hence pointing to a possible range expansion. In both species all markers consistently revealed significant population structuring according to a longitudinal gradient and demographic expansion. Despite their sympatric distribution in various regions, nuclear data confirmed the lack of inter-specific hybridization or introgression. Further multidisciplinarity in research (combining morphology, reproductive biology, life history traits analysis with genetics) are needed to unravel the possible range expansion of S. aegyptiaca according to a general hypothesis of Mediterranean tropicalization and its ecological interactions with the sympatric S. solea.

Raja asterias and Raja polystigma are two skates considered endemic of the Mediterranean sea; both species are present along the coasts of the basin, except in the Levantine sea where the occurrence of R. polystigma is not confirmed. Our purpose is to assess their populations connectivity and their historical demographic trends for future conservation plans. We have sequenced the mitochondrial coxI gene in 125 specimens in R. asterias and in 103 specimens in R. polystigma from 7 sampling points, producing two different alignments of 603 bp and 616 bp respectively. The populations connectivity and the demographic histories were investigated by haplotype networks and Bayesian Skyline Plot analyses. The networks showed different patterns in the two species: while in R. asterias three main haplogroups were detected (Algerian, Adriatic and Sardo-Tyrrhenian ones), in R. polystigma the four most frequent haplotypes were detected in at least four populations each, with the exception of the Adriatic sample which showed only one private haplotype. Differences were also observed in the corresponding demographic histories: R. polystigma showed a constant demography in the last 100,000 years, while R. asterias exhibited a sudden expansion dated 70,000 years ago. Our results suggest a good populations connectivity in the R. polystigma species showing, during its evolution, a stable demographic size, while for R. asterias a deep population structuring and a fluctuating demography were detected. On the basis of the distinct present day status and evolutionary histories, our results suggest species-specific conservation plans for these two rajid species.

Geographical distribution of Norwegian skate Dipturus nidarosiensis is known to occur along the Atlantic coasts, from Iceland, Faroe and northern Norway to Madeira and northern Marocco. Recently however this species was recorded in western Mediterranean sea, along southern Sardinia coasts . In this study we report for the first time the records of the catch of 6 specimens in Southern Adriatic and Ionian Sea, providing morphological (total length; total weight; length at first dorsal fin; disc length and width) and biological (sex and maturity) measures. These specimens were collected during several biological samplings (DCF landing and discard surveys, MEDITS trawl survey) from 2008 to 2011. The classification obtained from morphological characteristic has been confirmed by molecular analysis, sequencing a 601 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene. The depth of capture ranged from 600 to 1144m with a total length and weight included respectively from 70.5 to 123.5 cm and from 1137 to 10043 g. Only one specimen was female, the other 5 were males. The occurrence among the few caught individuals of different stages (adults, matures, juveniles) and of both sexes would suggest the presence of a local population that lives in deep waters (slope and bathyal bottoms) only partially visited or completely unexplored by commercial vessels. Moreover, the presence of this species in the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea would corroborate the hypothesis of the ancient occurrence of the Norwegian skate in the Mediterranean Sea, but unnoticed or misclassified with others species of Dipturus.

The brown skate Raja miraletus is distributed from Mediterranean and North Eastern Atlantic to South Western Indian. A significant variation in mitochondrial DNA led to recognize at least three parapatric clades in the Mediterranean, West and South Africa. Upwelling areas at Cape Blanco (21° N) and at Cape Frio (18° S) were considered as the main geographical barriers. With respect to previous analyses we have currently increased our dataset both in terms of specimens and molecular markers. Specimens were collected from Portugal, Mediterranean, Senegal, Angola and South Africa coasts. We sequenced the mitochondrial coxI gene in 219 individuals and genotyped 8 microsatellite loci in 245 individuals. Parsimony haplotype network and Bayesian clustering analyses were performed. The mitochondrial haplotype analysis clearly showed three clades associated to the main geographical areas: the Portugal-Mediterranean, the Senegal and the Angola-South Africa ones. Moreover within the first clade a separation can be detected between Eastern and Western Mediterranean sub-basins, and within the third clade, Angola and South Africa samples showed both private and shared haplotypes. The Bayesian clustering analysis produced two main groups of Portugal-Mediterranean and African samples. In the first, a further subdivision can be detected between Portugal-Western Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean. In the second Senegal and South Africa are clearly assigned to different clusters with specimens from Angola showing admixed genotypes. Results of nuclear data confirm the mitochondrial ones highlighting three parapatric cryptic species, but while Cape Blanco upwelling act as gene flow barrier, Cape Frio is less relevant as previously supposed.

To compare the efficacy and safety of olanzapine and haloperidol in partial-responder paranoid schizophrenic patients.In this multi-centre, double-blind study, 28 patients with DSM-IV paranoid schizophrenia were randomized to receive 14 weeks treatment with either olanzapine or haloperidol at flexible doses. The pre- and post-treatment assessment included the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), the CGI, the Simpson-Angus Rating Scale, and the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale.The two treatment groups showed similar improvement on the BPRS positive symptoms subscale, while the improvement of BPRS negative symptoms subscale was significant only in the olanzapine group (ANOVA with repeated measures, group effect: F=5.89, P =0.023). Only the olanzapine-treated patients experienced a significant improvement of negative symptoms as rated by the SANS (ANOVA with repeated measures, group effect: F=6.81, P =0.016). No significant differences were found between the two groups on the Simpson and Angus Rating Scale scores, but a significant difference was found in the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale scores: no patient in the olanzapine-treated group experienced akathisia, while a few patients in the haloperidol-treated group showed this side-effect, thus resulting in a significant group effect detected by the ANOVA (F=4.23, P =0.05).These preliminary results suggest that olanzapine is superior to haloperidol in the treatment of partial-responder paranoid schizophrenic patients, and also shows a better tolerability profile. Further investigations, including different diagnostic subgroups, are still needed to further clarify the clinical profile of olanzapine. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 107-111).

Purpose: We determined the incidence of erectile dysfunction in Italian men with diabetes.Materials and Methods: We estimated the incidence of erectile dysfunction, defined as failure to achieve and maintain erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance, after 2.8 years of followup in 1,010 men enrolled for a prevalence study of erectile dysfunction in diabetes.Results: Of the 1,010 men 192 (19%) complained of erectile dysfunction. The crude incidence rate of erectile dysfunction was 68 cases per 1,000 person-years (95% confidence interval 59 to 77). The incidence of erectile dysfunction increased with increasing age (10-fold higher for ages 70 to 79 than for 19 to 29 years), duration of diabetes (1.6-fold higher a history of 11 years or greater than for less than 5) and deteriorating metabolic control (1.7-fold higher for hemoglobin A1c greater than 9% than less than 7.5%). Moreover, it was higher in type 2 than in type 1 diabetes (74 versus 45 cases per 1,000 person-years). The relative risk w...

Background It is generally believed that the elimination of certain foods from the diet of mothers during the lactation period produces a significant improvement in breast-fed children who develop allergic symptoms. Several studies have shown the presence of food proteins in human milk; on the other hand, no study has been able to correlate unequivocally the presence of these allergens in human milk with newborn sensitization. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of bovine proteins in breast milk. Methods Milk samples were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). To detect bovine proteins in human milk, immunoblotting was performed by using monoclonal antibodies (MA) specific for β-lactoglobulin and bovine caseins. Results The results of this study do not confirm the presence of bovine proteins in breast milk suggested by other authors and shows unequivocally that the conflicting results reported in the literature about the presence of β-lactoglobulin in human milk are due to cross-reactivity between bovine milk proteins and human proteins. Conclusions Components other than bovine β-lactoglobulin or caseins could be involved in the induction of allergic symptoms in exclusively breast-fed children.