URBAN FLOWS SIMULATOR BASED ON COMPLEX SYSTEM OF QUEUES: PROCEDURES FOR SIMULATOR GENERATION

In a previous work [Pasini L and Feliziani S 2013 TASK Quart. 17 (3) 155], we have defined an object library that allows the building of architectural models of urban traffic systems. In this work we illustrate the procedures that enable us to produce a system simulator starting from the architectural model of an urban vehicular traffic system

SEARCHING FOR NATIVE EGG-PARASITOIDS OF THE INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES HALYOMORPHA HALYS STÅL (HETEROPTERA PENTATOMIDAE) IN SOUTHERN EUROPE

Halyomorpha halys is an invasive species, originating from East Asia, which was accidentally introduced in some areas of North America and Europe, where severe damages to different vegetable crops and fruit plants were recorded. Several studies in different countries focused on the possibility to apply biological control by means of egg- parasitoids. The main egg-parasitoids in the original area are unfortunately non-specific and thus the application of classical biological control is questionable. On the other hand, the possibility of using augmentative biological control by native egg-parasitoids able to exploit the new host is an interesting possibility in both Europe and the USA. In a preliminary assay, frozen egg masses of H. halys were exposed in the field in Central Italy. Results showed that some eggs were exploited by parasitoids belonging to the species Anastatus bifasciatus and Ooencyrtus telenomicida. Therefore, different native egg-parasitoids species widespread in Europe were tested in the laboratory in order to explore their ability to parasitize H. halys eggs. To this end, no-choice tests were carried out in climatic chambers (26°C, 70%RH, 16:8 L:D) in order to evaluate the parasitization potential of females collected in the wild. Conducted tests pointed out that A. bifasciatus and especially O. telenomicida may be potential candidates for the biological control of H. halys. In particular, O. telenomicida was able to parasitize the 35.56% of the exposed host eggs in the lab tests. New adults successfully emerged from the 22.92% of the eggs, and on the whole, this egg-parasitoid caused a significant hatching reduction of the H. halys eggs (more than 70%). Conversely, Telenomus chloropus and Ooencyrtus pityocampae were less promising species as biocontrol agents of this agricultural pest. Preliminary trials in pear orchards consisting of field releases of laboratory-reared specimens of O. telenomicida, one of the potential candidates for biological control, showed that this parasitoid is actually able to discover egg masses of H. halys (sentinel frozen egg masses) and to successfully parasitize them

Stem electrical properties associated with water stress conditions in olive tree

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Immunohistochemical localization of histidine-rich glycoprotein in human skeletal muscle: preferential distribution of the protein at the sarcomeric I-band

Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is a relatively abundant plasma protein that is synthesized by parenchymal liver cells. Using Western blot analysis and immunoperoxidase techniques, we have previously shown the presence of HRG in human skeletal muscle. This paper reports the results of immunofluorescence experiments carried out on sections of human normal skeletal muscle biopsies to investigate the subcellular localization of HRG. The HRG localization was also compared with that of skeletal muscle AMP deaminase (AMPD1), since we have previously described an association of the enzyme with the protein. The obtained results give evidence for a preferential localization of HRG at the I-band level, where it shows the same distribution of actin and where AMPD1 is present in major concentration

Monitoring in real time the changes in VOCS emission in sunflower and extra virgin olive oil upon heating by PTR-TOF-MS

In this work the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) upon the heating process of an extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and a high oleic sunflower oil (SFO) was evaluated in real time by spectrometry. Two tests were carried out, in the first VOCs emitted from both kinds of oil were measured at room temperatures (not heated, NH) and at 180°C; in the second test, VOCs emission for selected masses were monitored under increasing temperatures over time: at room temperature not heated oils (NH), 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180°C, respectively. The spectra were acquired using a Proton Transfer Reaction Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS). The total VOCs emission increased at 180°C, determined both by the rise of the amount of compounds present in the NH samples and by the formation of new masses generated by oxidative chemical reaction from triglycerides and fatty acids. From the set of results it is evident that a good control of the temperatures can be useful in reducing the quantities of masses potentially harmful to health in human food

Eddy covariance raw data processing for CO2 and energy fluxes calculation at ICOS ecosystem stations

The eddy covariance is a powerful technique to estimate the surface-atmosphere exchange of different scalars at the ecosystem scale. The EC method is central to the ecosystem component of the Integrated Carbon Observation System, a monitoring network for greenhouse gases across the European Continent. The data processing sequence applied to the collected raw data is complex, and multiple robust options for the different steps are often available. For Integrated Carbon Observation System and similar networks, the standardisation of methods is essential to avoid methodological biases and improve comparability of the results. We introduce here the steps of the processing chain applied to the eddy covariance data of Integrated Carbon Observation System stations for the estimation of final CO2, water and energy fluxes, including the calculation of their uncertainties. The selected methods are discussed against valid alternative options in tenns of suitability and respective drawbacks and advantages. The main challenge is to warrant standardised processing for all stations in spite of the large differences in e.g. ecosystem traits and site conditions. The main achievement of the Integrated Carbon Observation System eddy covariance data processing is making CO2 and energy flux results as comparable and reliable as possible, given the current micrometeorological understanding and the generally accepted state-of-the-art processing methods.Peer reviewe

Two Asian egg parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) emerge in northern Italy: Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) and Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae)

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) is a severe agricultural pest that is spreading worldwide from its original distribution in Asia. Egg parasitoids from Asia, which play a key role in the population dynamics of H. halys, are following its host along global pathways. We present the first records of Trissolcus mitsukurii in Europe, and of Trissolcus japonicus in Italy. Both discoveries were made in northern Italy, where H. halys is widely present and has reached extremely high population densities in some areas. Given the availability of their host, the distributions and populations of these exotic egg parasitoids are expected to expand, even in the absence of human intervention

The performance of the Italian housing market and its effects on the financial system

Developments in the real-estate sector are of crucial importance for the business cycle and financial stability. This study analyses developments in the Italian housing market on the basis of both real and financial variables. Following the sharp contraction of the market during the financial crisis and the more general fall in economic activity, a few signals suggests that the recession in the housing market is easing somewhat. However, the degree of uncertainty remains considerable. In recent months the ratio between the flow of bad debts to total outstanding loans to households and construction firms has reached the highest levels since the beginning of the decade. The paper also investigates three issues of a more structural nature. First, it examines the performance and the regulatory framework of real-estate investment funds in Italy. Second, it analyses the main characteristics of the taxation of residential housing, with reference to ownership, rentals and transactions. Finally, the paper estimates the impact on residential house prices of the growing demand for housing services by immigrants.housing market cycle, transactions, rentals, residential house prices, mortgages, real-estate investment funds, taxation of residential housing

FIRST RECORD OF RICANIA SPECULUM(WALKER, 1851) (HEMIPTERA RICANIIDAE)FROM VENETO, PIEDMONT AND LATIUM REGIONS AND NEW HOST PLANTS

The distribution of Ricania speculum(Walker, 1851) (Hemiptera Fulgoromorpha Ricaniidae) in Italy was updatedand the species was recorded for the first time in Veneto (2017), Piedmont (2018) and Latium (2018) regions. Theoccurrence of this species in Sardinia, previously recorded, is here excluded. Moreover, 33 new host plants belonging to 29families resulted to be attacked by this alien invasive species confirming its outstanding polyphagy