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In a young super-high-density (SHD) olive orchard located in Aidone (EN), in the Sicily Region, Italy, the architectural features of five olive cultivars were studied, specifically Arbequina, Arbosana, Oliana®, Giulia®, and FS-17®. Surveys were conducted in November 2019 considering biometric measurements for the whole tree, the canopy, and the primary and secondary branches. The "total branching frequency", the "sectorial branching frequency", the "total branching efficiency", the "sectorial branching efficiency", and the "total relative vigour" indexes were also calculated from the previous measurements. In addition, olive yield recorded for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 (respectively, the third, fourth, and fifth years from planting) are shown in order to provide a more exhaustive description of the features of the cultivars. Giulia® and Oliana® resulted in being more similar to Arbequina and Arbosana, presenting a compact shape of the canopy and high and regular ramification of primary and secondary branches. FS-17® showed a higher expansion in canopy volume and higher vigour than the other cultivars, features that suggest it can be more susceptible to damage during mechanical harvest. Regarding the elaborated indexes, "total branching frequency" resulted in being not statistically different among the cultivars. "Sectorial branching frequency" resulted in being higher in the middle sector of the trunk height (51–100 cm) for all the tested cultivars. This study supplies helpful information about the different canopy and branch architectural characteristics of the five studied olive cultivars with respect to their suitability to high-density plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal management is shaped by its environmental and landscape context, but these factors are rarely investigated quantitatively in zooarchaeological studies. Here we aim to examine the relationship between trends in zooarchaeological data and environmental and climatic dynamics between the Middle Bronze Age and Late Antiquity in lowland northern Italy (Po–Friulian Plain). This region provides an ideal test case to investigate the impact of landscape variables (precipitation, solar irradiance, elevation, soil characteristics) and climate evolution due to the area's relatively homogenous topography and climatic conditions. This study presents a new elaboration and visualisation of zooarchaeological data from northern Italy, investigates correlations between these data and landscape variables, and contextualises trends in relation to regional environmental and climate proxies at two scales. This analysis reveals a shift towards more heterogeneous livestock on a regional level during the Late Iron Age and Roman period, and strong evidence for a correlation between cattle representation and local soil characteristics at a site-level during the Bronze Age. Consideration of climate data shows little relationship between species representation, livestock body size, and climate proxies, indicating that human social dynamics rather than climate change were the primary driver to changes in animal management on the regional macro-scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horseradish is a crop grown for its edible underground parts. The development of new cultivars is hindered by the species' predominant vegetative reproduction, making it essential to evaluate locally cultivated accessions to identify new types suitable for cultivation. To this end, 11 horseradish accessions from family vegetable gardens in Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy were examined using 26 qualitative and six quantitative morphological descriptors and characterized by the five major glucosinolates (GSLs) present in the rhizome compared to a reference cultivar. A wide range of variability was observed for the considered qualitative morphological traits. The rhizome's top and basal diameters were 9.9 and 6.2 cm, respectively, with an average fresh weight of 521 g. Total GSL content ranged between 79.5 and 133.5 μmol/g dry weight (DW), with sinigrin (SIN) being the primary component at an average content of 110.0 μmol/g DW. Differences among the investigated accessions were noted for quantitative traits describing their productive features and for GSL content. A positive correlation was discovered between the biometric traits of the plant's underground parts and the SIN and total GSL content, suggesting a link between the quality and yield of the edible product. According to the multivariate analysis, accessions were grouped into three main clusters: the largest of the reference cultivar and the majority of accessions with similar productive and qualitative traits; another featuring two with good qualitative and productive characteristics. The investigated accessions proved to be a valuable germplasm source for cultivating the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus pubescens on its only stand in Poland, in the Bielinek Reserve, was for years treated as atypical, being an effect of hybridizing with co-occurring Q. petraea and Q. robur. In the study, the leaves of these three species and their hybrids in Bielinek were characterized with 20 macro-morphological and eight micro-morphological traits, and statistically compared with Q. pubescens from Italy. Genetic assignments revealed a low number of hybrids. Quercus pubescens leaves from Bielinek and Italy were visually similar, the significant differences between them concerned mainly the size of the leaves. It was accepted that the characteristics of Q. pubescens from Bielinek were within the range of species variability and were similar to the doubtful species Q. virgiliana (Q. pubescens s.l.). Differences between Q. pubescens from Bielinek and Italy could have resulted from the acclimatization to the local conditions, or origination form a different refugium, and long-term isolation. The group of Q. petraea leaves joining morphological features of Q. petraea and Q. pubescens was detected, blurring the morphological differences between species and impeding the recognition of hybrids. This phenomenon is explained by the acclimatization of part of the population to the local micro-climate or by the ancient hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phyletic relationship between Canis lupus and the Early-Middle Pleistocene Canis mosbachensis is widely accepted among scholars, although the taxonomy of several European fossil specimens is still debated. In the last decades, many studies focused on the evolution of Pleistocene wolves have been proposed considering new materials as well as specimens belonging to historical collections. The canid remains recovered during the last century and housed in museums, undoubtedly represent a valuable source of biometric and morphological data which require, in some cases, an updated review of the fossil material. Indeed, cases of stratigraphic and taxonomic misinterpretations represent a potential loss of information for understanding the palaeobiology of these iconic predators. Here we provide the first updated description of the specimen belonging to the collection of the Italian geologist and palaeontologist Alessandro Portis dating back to the early last century. Previously reported as Canis lupus, the cranium from the historical excavation of Ostiense palaeontological site (Rome, Italy) is ascribed to the Early-Middle Pleistocene wolf Canis mosbachensis. Moreover, the reassessment of the stratigraphic and geological data of the Ostiense site led to consider the studied specimen as the last occurrence of the Mosbach wolf in the Italian fossil record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biometric analysis was performed on twelve Nephrolepidina and ten Miogypsina and Miogypsinoides populations, coming from the Tre Valloni section, an Oligo-Miocene calcarenitic toe-of-slope succession outcropping in the southern sector of Gran Sasso (L'Aquila, Central Apennines - Italy). Miogypsina populations are investigated applying two essential parameters, i.e., the number of the nepionic chambers and the protoconch diameter. Previously detected evidences of reworking in the same material suggested to use some cautions to avoid misleading results. A mixed typological-statistical methodology is used, leading from starting "disordered" assemblages to final "virtual but reliable" populations, cleaned up from reworked specimens, in order to implement the accuracy of the biostratigraphic results. This goal is reached for the lower part of the succession only. According to the biometric limits proposed for the various chronospecies in the recent literature, the resulting populations are referred to Miogypsinoides ex. interc. complanatus-formosensis up to Md. bantamensis, and to Miogypsina basraensis up to M. ex. interc. gunteri-tani. This sequence of taxa, in general, is in agreement with the principle of nepionic acceleration, with a progressive reduction in the average number of nepionic chambers (X), arranged in a single spiral, just peculiar in the more primitive populations. Miogypsinoides bantamensis and Miogypsina basraensis are recognized biometrically for the first time in the Central Apennines. Nephrolepidina populations are investigated applying the recently introduced biometry of the fifth stage of the neanic equatorial chamberlets, supplying additional data about parameters and factors that had already demonstrated to have taxonomic-biostratigraphic significance. The biometric analysis of the embryo-nepionic stages was performed as an integration of the data obtained in a previous study, excluding the uppermost samples in which Nephrolepidina is clearly reworked, being characterized by primitive morphology, i.e., almost isolepidine embryo, few adauxiliary chamberlets, and ogival equatorial chamberlets. The neanic data evidence that the "Degree of stolonic distalization" (Factor FD5) and the "Shape Index" (Factor SI5), at the 5th nepionic stage of the population have a very good fitting with the previously evidenced Neanic acceleration, as the overall trend to modify the shape of the equatorial chambers, connected with a gradually more distal position of the radial stolons. Unispiralled Miogypsina, associated with Nephrolepidina at an advanced evolutionary stage, suggest a continuous reworking of primitive miogypsinids, without an involvement of more evolute bispiralled forms. The biostratigraphic assessment of the Venacquaro and Glauconitic Calcarenite formations is improved, assigning the Venacquaro Formation to the Chattian-lowermost Aquitanian (SBZ22B-basal SBZ24) and the base of the Glauconitic Calcatenite to the Aquitanian (SBZ24 p. p.). The investigated sedimentary succession was deposited along a slope to toe of slope characterized by a mixture of taxa displaced from shallow-water environments and reworked primitive specimens eroded along channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Common raven Corvus corax is an holoartic species, divided into 12 subspecies, three of which are present in Italy. Based on the most recent systematics, the sub-specific attribution of the Italian populations has been discussed. In the Arrigoni degli Oddi's bird collection a specimen from Sardinia was attributed to C. c. tingitanus, a subspecies of the North Africa coasts and accidental in Italy. Some biometric parameters have been measured and compared with the literature data. This work allowed to review the attribution of this specimen by Arrigoni degli Oddi and report it to C. c. hispanus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The numerical increase of roe deer has resulted in a noticeable growth of hunting activities allowing to have a great availability of biometrical data from both the hunted samples and the population by describing trends and variations and, then, optimize the consequent wildlife management decisions. Specifically, we analyzed biometric data of a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population at the Macerata Province, in central Italy. We focused on two animal groups: fawns (<11 months old) and adults (>2 years old). We assessed the relationship between body parameters and trophic resources available during the autumn-winter period. In particular, we analyzed live weight, head–trunk length, height at shoulders, chest circumference, length of hock, total length of the cranium, condilo-basal length, mastoid width, zygomatic width, ectorbital width, entorbital width, teeth row length and mandible length. In the context of studying trophic resources, we identified three environmental categories based on their carrying capacity and then assigned a specific environmental category to each sample. Statistical analysis was performed. In fawn, only zygomatic width showed significant differences both between sexes and among the environmental categories. In adult, the analysis showed significant differences between sexes for live weight, head–trunk length, length of hock and zygomatic width, with the highest values for males. Among environmental categories, the analysis showed significant differences for live weight, head–trunk length, length of hock chest circumference, length of hock, ectorbital width and teeth row length. This approach, applied to a broader database could be useful to identify suitable parameters to be used in planning the optimum selective hunting of roe deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Functionally Graded Scaffolds (FGS) are promising dressingsin mimicking the skin environment and enhancing an effective wound healing. Aim of this work was to design a freeze-dried FGS based on k-carrageenan (k-CG), arginine (Arg) and whey proteins (WP) for the chronic wounds management. Method: Three polymeric solutions were prepared at 55°C and poured into a mold to obtain the following layering: i) kCG05 inferior layer (1% kCG + 0.05% CaCl2 (w/v)); ii) kCG05-Arg middle layer (1% kCG + 0.05% CaCl2 + 0.5% Arg (w/v); iii) kCG-WPI superior layer (1% w/v kCG + 5% w/v WPI (w/v)). After freeze-drying, FGS superior surface was functionalized with 50 mM oleic acid (OA). Layer morphological, mechanical, hydration properties and in vivo wound healing potential were investigated. Results / Discussion: k-CG interactions with the other components were responsible for the production of a polymeric matrix characterized by three interconnected layers with a pore size continuous gradient. kCG05, characterized by the maximum pore size, was able to absorb a considerable amount of simulated wound exudate and to enhance fibroblastic migration (in vitro) and re-epithelialization (murine model). kCG05-Arg showed an intermediate pore size and was able to release Arg, modulating inflammatory reactions and supporting tissue remodeling. kCG-WPI mimicked the upper skin layer due to its dense structure, smaller pore size and high mechanical strength. FGS functionalization with OA reproduced the hydrophobicity of the stratum corneum (contact angle values >90°). Conclusion: A multilayer porous FGS, containing biomimetic physicochemical gradients, was able to enhance wound closure in a murine model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is aimed at studying severalAsperula(Rubiaceae) sect.Cynanchicaepopulations in southern Apennines, Italy, with particular reference to those referred toA. calabra, by employing biometrical methods on macromorphological data. Among other historical misapplications,A. cynanchicasubsp.cynanchicaseems to be very rare or missing in southern Italy. The enigmaticAsperula calabra, confirmed to be limited to a single mountain population in Calabria, appears to be strictly related toA. aristatasubsp.scabra, so we suggest to treat it as a further subspecies ofA. aristata. This latter species is otherwise distributed throughout southern Italy with subsp.scabraand subsp.aristata, characterised by slight morphological differences, which are correlated to altitudinal ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of fetal sex on singleton pregnancy growth charts customized for parental characteristics, race, and parity Methods: In a multicentric cross-sectional study, 8070 ultrasonographic examinations from low-risk singleton pregnancies between 16 and 40 weeks of gestation were considered. The fetal measurements obtained were biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL). Quantile regression was used to examine the impact of fetal sex across the biometric percentiles of the fetal measurements considered together with parents' height, weight, parity, and race.Results: Fetal gender resulted to be a significant covariate for BDP, HC, and AC with higher values for male fetuses (p ≤ 0.0009). Minimal differences were found among sexes for FL. Parity, maternal race, paternal height and maternal height, and weight resulted significantly related to the fetal biometric parameters considered independently from fetal gender.Conclusion: In this study, we constructed customized biometric growth charts for fetal sex, parental, and obstetrical characteristics using quantile regression. The use of gender-specific charts offers the advantage to define individualized normal ranges of fetal biometric parameters at each specific centile. This approach may improve the antenatal identification of abnormal fetal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The death certificate is mandated by civil law and serves as a medical-scientific document useful for biostatistics and epidemiological research. For a variety of reasons, death certificates can be misclassified. We reviewed data from self-inflicted deaths collected over an 8-year period by the Forensic Institute of the University Sacro Cuore of Rome ( Italy). Four hundred and thirty-five of 2904 were classified as self-inflicted deaths (15%). The comparison with death certificates processed by the local public health authority ( ASL) and by the Italian National Census Bureau ( Istat) and with the judicial investigation results available in the Italian Penal Court archive shows some discrepancies. One-hundred and twenty-four of 435 deaths were not considered to be self-inflicted but due to a crime (29% overrecording suicide) with a higher reduction for women, suggesting that it is easier to confuse a murder for suicide in female cases. Any discrepancies between the mortality and crime data are discussed in details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research on the biology and ecology of 123 Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, along five localities in northwestern Tuscany, Italy including Lecciona, Cascine Vecchie, and Gombo. The study explores morphological and functional variation of the species such as patterns of body size, sexual dimorphism and presence of external parasites. The study also discusses findings that found association between sex and locality in features such as head width, head height, and body mass.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of PCBs contamination of wild brown trouts (Salmo trutta trutta L) caught in Marche Region rivers and to study the percentage contribution of the sum of the six indicators PCBs with respect to the sum of eighteen congeners in wild brown trouts. The determination of eighteen PCBs was made on the edible portion (fillets) of trouts by GC–ECD analysis. Fish samples were collected from fourteen rivers, selected to represent the fluvial pollution in the Marche Region. The total sum of eighteen congener concentrations was 8.2±0.9ng/g wet weight. All the analysed samples showed a high variability of their congener profile even though the six PCBs indicators stood for 49.8% of the total PCBs. In the muscle of brown trout the Σ eighteen PCB and the Σ six PCB concentrations were not statistically correlated with the length and the body mass of specimens. Total PCB (Σ eighteen PCBs and Σ six PCBs) concentrations measured in the different sampling sites showed significant statistical differences among districts and, in the same district, among rivers (p<0.01). In particular, the lowest PCB levels (p<0.01) were detected in fish caught in Pesaro–Urbino Province rivers with the mean total PCB concentrations of 102.4±6.3ng/g fat weight while the highest PCB levels were measured in specimens coming from Macerata Province rivers (1147.8±456.6ng/g fat weight). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concept of the old-growth forest is highly debated in the literature because of its implications, from close-to-nature forest management to carbon balance. Studies on old-growth forests have multiplied in the last three decades. Most of these studies have focussed on defining the structural features of old-growth forests of non-Mediterranean forest ecosystems or of specific forest types. In Italy, forest structure since Roman times has been greatly influenced by man. For this reason, the concept of old-growth forest in these ecosystems seems more controversial than at the global level. Nonetheless, in the Mediterranean region, there are persistent forest formations that present a certain level of oldgrowthness. These types of forests have been identified mostly in National Parks. The description of forest structure requires a vast amount of information about several biometric attributes. Consequently, the classification of forests as old growth is very time- and resource-consuming. This research aims to describe and test a proposed methodology to classify and determine the relative oldgrowthness of a series of forest inventory plots. Data from 77 beech forest plots located all across Italy were collected and compared with a virtual reference plot. To compare the forest plots, a set of similarity/dissimilarity indexes were tested. The results obtained show that it is possible to accurately rank the oldgrowthness of forest plots and to screen them to exclude non-old-growth forests. The method described was applied for the first time on a set of plots located in the Italian National Parks to determine a priority list of beech forests where further studies need to be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the human-specificity of the orienting system that allows neonates to look preferentially at faces. Three experiments were carried out to determine whether the face-perception system that is present at birth is broad enough to include both human and nonhuman primate faces. The results demonstrate that the newborns did not show any spontaneous visual preference for the human face when presented simultaneously with a monkey face that shared the same features, configuration, and low-level perceptual properties (Experiment 1). The newborns were, however, able to discriminate between the 2 faces belonging to the 2 different species (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, the newborns were found to prefer looking at an upright, compared with an inverted, monkey face, as they do for human faces. Overall, the results demonstrate that newborns perceive monkey and human faces in a similar way. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the system underlying face preference at birth is broad enough to bias newborns' attention toward both human and nonhuman primate faces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we propose criteria for sexing Hooded Crow Corvus cornix, belonging to different age groups, in northwest Italy. Morphometric data were validated by molecular sexing, which offers a valid and reliable method to sex birds. The results suggest that tarsus and head + bill length provide the best biometric criteria for sex determination in the Hooded Crow, because these measurements do not change with age. We propose linear discriminant functions based on the tarsus and head + bill length, or on the head + bill length alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biometrical comparison of nine populations of Juniperus phoenicea from the western part of the species geographic range was the aim of the present study. Seven features of the cones and seeds, two of the shoots and leaves and eight proportions were studied biometrically and analysed using statistical methods. Two of analyzedpopulations, supposedto be representatives of J. phoenicea subsp. phoenicea, are closely related each other. The seven other populations representing J. phoenicea subsp. turbinata, appearedmuch more variable andd ifferedeach other at higher level. The results confirm the biochemical andgenetic differentiation of the species, however, it can partly be an effect of smaller number of comparedpopulations of subsp. phoenicea. The individuals included into each of distinguished subspecies are different and only a few individuals of subsp. turbinata from the Atlantic coast in Portugal were foundto be joinedinto the group of subsp. phoenicea. The differences between populations of subsp. turbinata are higher than between those of subsp. phoenicea. The most distant population of the subsp. turbinata, from Cabo Rizuto in Italy appears also the most different from all the other. It results probably from the isolation for a longer time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our aim was to investigate the respective role of statistical methodology and patients' baseline characteristics in the selection of mutations included in genotypic resistance scores. Methods: As an example, the FORUM database on didanosine including 1453 patients was used. We split this population into four samples based on countries of enrolment (France n = 474, Italy n = 440, USA/Canada n = 219, others n = 320). We used both a continuous outcome measure (the viral load reduction at week 8) and a binary outcome measure (viral load decline at week 8 <0.6 log10 or ≥0.6 log10) and both parametric and non-parametric methods for each outcome. Results: Overall, 61 distinct mutations were selected by at least one method in at least one data set. The variability due to baseline characteristics varies from 79% to 88%, i.e. for a given method applied to the four data sets .80% of the mutations are selected only once. The variability induced by the methodology varies from 49% to 56%, i.e. for a given data set ~50% of the mutations are selected by at least two methods. Conclusions: Baseline patient characteristics contribute more than the choice of statistical method to the variability of the mutations to be included in the genotypic resistance scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating zooarchaeological and ancient textual datasets for cattle provides a more comprehensive picture of breed developments for Roman Italy. Widespread increases in cattle sizes do not occur until Republican and Imperial times, coincident with marked agricultural and demographic changes in the country. Distinct clusters of cattle 'breeds' develop during these periods. The ancient Latin texts describe physical traits for several types of cattle, separated geographically (e.g. Umbrian, Campanian, Ligurian, Latium, Etrurian, Alpine, north-plain and south-mountain and -plain). Available zooarchaeological metric data confirm modifications to cattle breeds that are generally consistent with these recordings. Several factors interplay to cause size and shape changes, including an augmented market and military demand for grain and other foodstuffs, as well as the import and export of cattle brood-stock from other areas of the Empire into and out of Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to: (i) estimate genetic and environmental components of four early respiratory diseases and (ii) test if these components are modified by parental smoking exposure. Study subjects were 2068 Italian twins aged 3-17. We performed biometric modeling under the assumptions of the twin design. For bronchitis and bronchiolitis, variance was mostly explained by shared environment, with no modification effect by parental smoking. For pneumonia and wheezy bronchitis, shared environmental component was larger among passive smokers, while genetic component was predominant among non-smokers. In the etiology of pneumonia and wheezy bronchitis, parental smoking could be a major familial factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large amount of morphological variability within Fritillaria montana Hoppe ex W.D.J. Koch, a southeastern European species described from northeastern Italy, led to the creation of several further taxa: Fritillaria caussolensis Goaty & Pons ex Adoino from southeastern France, Fritillaria orsiniana Parl. from central Italy, Fritillaria intermedia N. Terracc. and Fritillaria pollinensis N. Terracc. from southern Italy. Aiming to test the taxonomic value of these taxa, a biometric study of both herbarium and living specimens of F. montana s.l. is carried out. A total of 22 morphological features were analysed and measured in 417 plants from 46 different localities, including loci classici of all the involved taxa. In addition, typical populations of F. montana, F. caussolensis, F. intermedia, F. orsiniana and F. pollinensis and also several other Italian populations resulted with 2n = 18 chromosomes. We also counted 2n = 27 chromosomes in endotriploid cells of plants from Abruzzo. However, there is no clear-cut correlation between morphology and karyology. The biometric analysis, together with many observations on fresh material in the field, revealed that F. montana is a single polymorphic species with no infraspecific taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of corneal power measurements by the Pentacam Scheimpflug system for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. Setting: Studio Oculistico d''Azeglio, Bologna, Italy. Methods: Consecutive patients having phacoemulsification and in-the-bag IOL implantation were prospectively studied. Intraocular lens power was calculated by entering 3 combinations of data into the Hoffer Q formula: (1) corneal power measurements by corneal topography (simulated keratometry) and axial length (AL) measurements by Ultrascan ultrasound (US) immersion biometry; (2) Scheimpflug corneal power measurements (simulated keratometry) and US AL measurements; (3) corneal power and AL measurements by partial coherence interferometry (PCI) (IOLMaster). The prediction error was calculated as the difference between the predicted and the measured refraction 1 month postoperatively. Results: Forty-one eyes were evaluated. The mean arithmetic error was zero for all combinations of measurements due to constant optimization. The mean absolute error (MAE) of the Scheimpflug–US combination was good (0.44 diopters [D] ± 0.30 [SD]) but significantly higher than the topography–US combination and PCI (0.33 ± 0.29 D and 0.33 ± 0.23 D, respectively) (P = .043). The percentage of eyes with an MAE of 0.75 D or greater was higher with the Scheimpflug–US combination (7 eyes, 17%) than with the corneal topography–US combination (2 eyes, 4.8%) or PCI (3 eyes, 7.3%). Conclusion: Corneal power measurements with the Pentacam Scheimpflug system should be used in IOL power calculation formulas with caution because the accuracy is good but is not as high as with standard measurement methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The throat and belly of both sexes of the common wall lizard Podarcis muralis exhibit a polymorphic coloration with three morphs (white, yellow and red). We documented the occurrence of this polymorphism in 11 populations of northern Italy, and investigated the morphometric features of the three morphs in both sexes. The white morph was more frequent (56.6%), while yellow and red morphs accounted for 28.7 and 14.7% of the lizards, respectively. Moreover, the red morphotype was more frequent among males while the white one was more frequent among females. The occurrence of the three morphs varied microgeographically from populations with a higher proportion of white individuals to those where all morphs were more equally represented. The comparisons of morphometry between morphs did not reveal any significant difference among males, while snout–vent length and head height in females increased from the white-throated to the yellow-throated morph, and from the yellow-throated morph to the red-throated one. Possible functions of this polymorphic coloration are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meadows of the Mediterranean endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica exhibit relatively high variations of structural and biometric features at various spatial scales. An investigation performed in 1992 in the meadow off Lacco Ameno (Island of Ischia, Gulf of Naples, Italy) detected peculiar spatial patterns of plant distribution, characterized by nestlike structures with radially increasing or decreasing shoot densities. Eight years later (2000), geo-referenced collections at selected points were repeated to trace the temporal variations of shoot density and investigate the recurrence of the density cores previously detected. In addition, shoots for molecular analyses were collected to check the hypothesis that nestlike patterns exhibit highest levels of genetic variability, due to the confluence of several genetically distinct stolons. The 2000 survey confirmed the presence of the main density cores detected in 1992, although their spatial distribution was slightly shifted and a general decrease of spatial anisotropy was observed, probably due to an increased disturbance, mainly due to pleasure boat anchoring. Patterns of genetic diversity showed a more complex picture, well related to the shoot density spatial pattern, especially when compared with the previous 1992 survey. Patterns of genetic diversity confirmed our previous hypotheses on the genesis of shoot density cores, suggesting they are produced over long time, due to a slow stolonization process and a convergence of different genotypes. Regression of the meadow and decrease of density may lead, in short periods, to a homogenization of the density patterns, while genetic diversity cores represent a long-term ‘memory’ of their previous distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The model proposed in this paper combines a logistic regression model and a Weibull regression model for the analysis of current-status data. This joint model allows a simultaneous estimation of two sets of effects on the covariates: one on the probability that the event occurs (also known as quantum) and the other on the timing of the event. Thus, the model can be seen either as an extension of a survival-analysis model for use with current-status data where a survival fraction is added in order explicitly to take into account the possibility that the event may never occur, or as an extension of survival analysis with long-term survivors to the analysis of current-status data. As an illustrative application we apply our model to a study of nuptiality in seventeenth-century Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work stems from the results of a recent phylogenetic investigation on the Euscorpius carpathicus species complex from the Italian peninsula (Salomone et al. 2004. Phylogenetic relationships between the sibling species Euscorpius tergestinus and E. sicanus (Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae) as inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data. In: Proceedings of the16th Congress of Arachnology, August 2–7, 2004, Ghent University, Belgium, 268pp.; Salomone et al. in prep.). Molecular investigation produced interesting and unexpected findings on the scorpion Euscorpius tergestinus (C.L. Koch, 1837). Both nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data provided evidence of substantial genetic differentiation in specimens identified as Euscorpius tergestinus according to recent taxonomical changes (Fet and Soleglad 2002. Morphology analysis supports presence of more than one species in the “Euscorpius carpathicus” complex (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae). Euscorpius 3, 51pp.). These specimens clearly belong to two well-differentiated evolutionary lineages. Molecular results highlighted the need for a new morphological investigation. The present study undertook the morphological analysis of specimens belonging to both genotypes with the aim of identifying morphological characteristics able to discriminate between the two taxa. The analysis of trichobothria patterns, morphometric ratios, granulation patterns and the observation of the pectinal sensilla confirm the difficulty in distinguishing these two genotypes and the high polymorphism of the subgenus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876. The length of pedipalp segments and dorsal patellar spurs (DPS), as well as femur leg granulation, are the main diagnostic characters; other ratios together with body color also help to distinguish the different genotypes. This study confirms the presence in Italy of two different cryptic species belonging to the “Euscorpius tergestinus” complex. Euscorpius tergestinus is a reddish, slender euscorpiid with a large dorsal patellar spine (DPS). A darker and generally squat phenotype with a short DPS, which corresponds to Euscorpius carpathicus concinnus sensu Caporiacco (1950), is elevated to the species level: Euscorpius concinnus (C.L. Koch, 1837). These two species are sympatric in several Italian regions, and their distribution pattern is possibly determined by intraguild predaction interaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A group of olive varieties, commonly cultivated in the sub-coastal area of the Emilia-Romagna region, in Italy's northern olive cultivation area limit, were described using both morphological and molecular approaches. The morpho-biological characters of each accession were collected according to the UPOV's descriptor list (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants). Biometric indexes of inflorescence, leaf, fruit, and stone, measured using the Video Image Analysis (VIA), were compared to the molecular data obtained on the same set of cultivars using AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) and SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. The morphological and molecular data led to similar representations of the cultivar relationships. However, only the AFLP and SSR data were able to characterize specific olive varieties and identify erroneous denominations and cases of synonymy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in fingerprint-based biometric systems has constantly grown in recent years and considerable efforts have been focused by both academia and industry on the development of new algorithms for fingerprint recognition. Raffaele Cappelli, Matteo Ferrara, Annalisa Franco and Davide Maltoni of the Biometric System Laboratory at the University of Bologna explain the findings of the Fingerprint Verification Competition 2006. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of the measurements provided by a Scheimpflug camera combined with partial coherence interferometry for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation., Setting: I.R.C.C.S.-G.B. Bietti Foundation, Rome, Italy., Design: Prospective case series., Methods: Consecutive patients scheduled for cataract surgery were enrolled. Preoperative biometry was performed with a Pentacam AXL. All patients received the same IOL (AcrySof SN60WF). Measurements were entered into the following formulas: Barrett Universal II, Emmetropia Verifying Optical 2.0, Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, Holladay 2 with axial length adjustment, Kane, Ladas Super Formula (LSF) 2.0, Næser 2, Pearl-DGS, SRK/T, T2, and VRF. When refraction was measured at 1 month postoperatively, the mean prediction error (PE), the median absolute error (MedAE), and the percentage of eyes with a PE within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.00 diopter (D) were calculated after constant optimization., Results: Ninety-one eyes of 91 patients were analyzed. Comparison of the mean PE and MedAE did not reveal any statistically significant difference. However, the Pearl DGS formula achieved the lowest MedAE (0.19 D), followed by the LSF 2.0 (0.22). Twelve of the 13 formulas obtained a PE within ±0.50 D in at least 80% of eyes (range 80%-87%) and 7 of them in at least 85%. Twelve formulas yielded a PE within ±0.25 D in at least 50% of eyes (range 51%-64%)., Conclusions: All the investigated formulas performed well using the Pentacam AXL measurements. The newest Pearl DGS formula version and LSF 2.0 showed promising results.

Objectives: to describe intentional self-harm related deaths in Piedmont Region (Northern Italy) analysing trends by gender, age, area of residence, socio-economic level., Design: descriptive study of mortality using data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat)., Setting and Participants: resident population in Piedmont Region in the period 2003-2014., Main Outcome Measures: age-standardized suicide (ICD-10: X60-X84) rates, by gender, health district of residence and educational level; frequencies of suicide method and place of occurrence by gender and age., Results: in a context of declining injury related mortality, especially that due to traffic accidents, the regional trend of suicides shows only a slight decrease, becoming the main cause of injury deaths since 2009, equal to 21% of all injury deaths in the studied period. Among the largest Italian Regions, Piedmont is the one with the highest rate of suicide. There are no significant trend variations related to the recent period of economic crisis. The occurrence is higher among men in general and particularly in older people, persons with low educational level and those living in mountain areas. The main suicide method used by women is "jumping from a high place" (36.7%) while the main one for men is "hanging, strangulation and suffocation" (50%). This is globally the most frequent method for all ages. "Self-poisoning" gains importance between 30 and 49 years old. Suicides occur for over half of cases in home, without any difference by gender and age., Conclusion: suicides are a public health and social concern. Yet despite its extent, this problem is still not adequately considered in public health prevention programmes. Important contributions to a deeper understanding of the determinants can be obtained from health information systems, in particular data from emergency care and multiple causes of deaths records.

In the last decades, many studies have focused on the description of fossil badger materials from Eurasia and several evolutionary hypotheses have been proposed. Nevertheless, the debate on taxonomy of the Late Villafranchian-Aurelian European badgers is still far from being solved and several species/subspecies were established over time. Herein, we described for the first time the craniodental and postcranial remains of Meles meles from Grotta Laceduzza (Apulia, Southern Italy), representing the largest sample of this taxon in the European Pleistocene record. Morphological and morphometric comparisons with fossils coming from the European Pleistocene sites were carried out; morphometric data were also compared with those of several extant populations of the European badger. The results of this work suggest that the badger fossil remains from the Mediterranean region can be considered as an ecomorphotype of this highly polymorphic species, showing a great morphological and morphometric variability throughout its wide geographical range. This variability is mainly expressed in some craniodental features and body size and could reflect local ecological adaptations, also linked to glacial/interglacial cycles.

Abstract: The Ge.F.I. (the Italian Speaking Working Group of ISFG) has launched the first DNA Proficiency Test in 2012. The aim is to increase the external quality controls in forensic genetics in Italy and to drive to the standardizations of methods within the laboratories. Reference and mixed stains typing as well as statistical exercises were proposed and 26 laboratories submitted results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A total of fifteen adult specimens of the so-called ‘lessepsian sprinter’ Fistularia commersonii were captured by bottom trawlers and gill-netters operating along the Latium coasts, Italy, in October–November 2007. This non-native species is established in the eastern Mediterranean but it has been sporadically reported beyond the Strait of Sicily. Never before has the species been recorded in such large numbers from a single locality in the western Mediterranean. These records may suggest an incoming establishment of a self-sustained population of the species also in the western Mediterranean and they document for the first time the presence of a lessepsian fish in Latium waters. Biometry and meristics of the available specimens of F. commersonii and data on their diet and reproductive condition are given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Italian Government has set up a new working group that will establish guidelines for the use of biometric technologies in the public sector. In addition a biometric competence centre was set up to assist public bodies, which have shown an increasing interest in the technology in recent months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tree-size distribution is one of the most investigated subjects in plant population biology. The forestry literature reports that tree-size distribution trajectories vary across different stands and/or species, whereas the metabolic scaling theory suggests that the tree number scales universally as -2 power of diameter. Here, we propose a simple functional scaling model in which these two opposing results are reconciled. Basic principles related to crown shape, energy optimization and the finite-size scaling approach were used to define a set of relationships based on a single parameter that allows us to predict the slope of the tree-size distributions in a steady-state condition. We tested the model predictions on four temperate mountain forests. Plots (4 ha each, fully mapped) were selected with different degrees of human disturbance (semi-natural stands versus formerly managed). Results showed that the size distribution range successfully fitted by the model is related to the degree of forest disturbance: in semi-natural forests the range is wide, whereas in formerly managed forests, the agreement with the model is confined to a very restricted range. We argue that simple allometric relationships, at an individual level, shape the structure of the whole forest community.

EpiInfo is a free software developed in 1988 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta to facilitate field epidemiological investigations and statistical analysis. The aim of this study was to assess whether the software represents, in the Italian biomedical field, an effective analytical research tool and a practical and simple epidemiology and biostatistics teaching tool. A questionnaire consisting of 20 multiple-choice and open questions was administered to 300 healthcare workers, including doctors, biologists, nurses, medical students and interns, at the end of a CME course in epidemiology and biostatistics. Sixty-four percent of participants were aged between 26 and 45 years, 52% were women and 73% were unmarried. Results show that women are more likely to utilize EpiInfo in their research activities with respect to men (p = 0.023), as are individuals aged 26-45 years with respect to the older and younger age groups (p = 0.023) and unmarried participants with respect to those married (p = 0.010). Thirty-one percent of respondents consider EpiInfo to be more than adequate for analysis of their research data and 52% consider it to be sufficiently so. The inclusion of an EpiInfo course in statistics and epidemiology modules facilitates the understanding of theoretical concepts and allows researchers to more easily perform some of the clinical/epidemiological research activities.

Disease mapping studies have been widely performed at univariate level, that is considering only one disease in the estimated models. Nonetheless, simultaneous modelling of different diseases can be a valuable tool both from the epidemiological and from the statistical point of view. In this paper we propose a model for multivariate disease mapping that generalizes the univariate conditional auto-regressive distribution. The proposed model is proven to be an effective alternative to existing multivariate models, mainly because it overcome some restrictive hypotheses underlying models previously proposed in this context. Model performances are checked via a simulation study and via application to a case study., ((c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

In environmental epidemiology, long lists of relative risk estimates from exposed populations are compared to a reference to scrutinize the dataset for extremes. Here, inference on disease profiles for given areas, or for fixed disease population signatures, are of interest and summaries can be obtained averaging over areas or diseases. We have developed a multivariate hierarchical Bayesian approach to estimate posterior rank distributions and we show how to produce league tables of ranks with credibility intervals useful to address the above mentioned inferential problems. Applying the procedure to a real dataset from the report "Environment and Health in Sardinia (Italy)" we selected 18 areas characterized by high environmental pressure for industrial, mining or military activities investigated for 29 causes of deaths among male residents. Ranking diseases highlighted the increased burdens of neoplastic (cancerous), and non-neoplastic respiratory diseases in the heavily polluted area of Portoscuso. The averaged ranks by disease over areas showed lung cancer among the three highest positions.

In this article we present an extended framework based on the principal stratification approach (Frangakis and Rubin, 2002, Biometrics 58, 21-29), for the analysis of data from randomized experiments which suffer from treatment noncompliance, missing outcomes following treatment noncompliance, and "truncation by death." We are not aware of any previous work that addresses all these complications jointly. This framework is illustrated in the context of a randomized trial of breast self-examination.

A data set concerning 1,816 subjects entered in the Italian Horse Registry from 1925 to 2002 was analyzed to investigate the morphological evolution of the Murgese horse and to obtain useful elements to enhance breeding practices. Three basic body measurements (height at withers, chest girth, and cannon bone circumference) were considered for each subject. Heritabilities were calculated for each parameter to infer the growth and development traits of this breed. Over the past 20 years the Murgese horse has undergone considerable changes, passing from a typical mesomorphic structure (height at withers: 156.30 and 151.04 cm; chest girth: 185.80 and 176.11 cm; cannon bone: 21.10 and 19.82 cm for males and females, respectively) to a mesodolichomorphic structure (height at withers: 160.31 and 156.44 cm; chest girth: 187.89 and 182.48 cm; cannon bone: 21.07 and 20.37 cm, for males and females, respectively). Due to these changes and to its characteristic strength and power, the Murgese, which was once used in agriculture and for meat production (at the end of its life), is now involved in sports, mainly in trekking and equestrian tourism. The heritability estimates for the three body measurements were found to be 0.24, 0.39 and 0.44.

The experience gained in these last years and the several lesson learned have clearly shown that eHealth is more than just a simple change from paper records to electronic records. It necessitates a change of paradigms, on the one hand and the use of new technologies and introduction of new procedures on the other. Interoperability becomes a crucial issue. Security and confidentiality are vital for the acceptance of the new approaches and for the support of eHealth. Shared care and across-border interactions require a reliable and stable normative framework based on the application of standardized solutions, which are often not yet sufficiently known, diffused and implemented. Feeling this gap, a group of international experts in the medical area proposed to the EC the BioHealth project whose main aim is to create awareness about standardization in eHealth and to facilitate its practical implementation. The project will address all the stakeholders concerning their respective domain. It will evaluate the socio-economic and cultural aspects concerning eHealth with particular reference to the growing introduction of emerging technologies such as health cards, biometrics, RFID (radio-frequency identification) and NFC (Near field communication) tags. By providing information and expert advice on standardization and best practices it will raise the acceptance on standardization. Furthermore, the project will deeply approach the ethical and accessibility issues connected to identity management in eHealth, which -together with privacy- represent probably the most significant obstacles for the wide diffusion of eHealth procedures.

Objective: To describe size charts developed from fetuses of Italian couples., Method: Prospective cross-sectional investigation conducted in three referral centers for prenatal diagnosis. The population of the study included fetuses between the 16th and the 40th week of gestation recruited prospectively and examined only once for the purpose of this study. Exclusion criteria comprised all maternal and/or fetal conditions possibly affecting fetal biometry. The following biometric variables were measured: biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur, tibia, humerus, ulna and radio length. The statistical procedure recommended for analyzing this type of data set was employed to derive normal ranges and percentiles. Birthweight was also recorded. Our centiles were then compared with results from other studies., Results: The best-fitted regression model to describe the relationships between head circumference and abdominal circumference and gestational age was a cubic one, whereas a simple quadratic model fitted BPD, and length of long bones. Models fitting the SD were straight lines or quadratic curves. Neither the use of fractional polynomials (the greatest power of the polynomials being 3) nor the logarithmic transformation improved the fitting of the curves., Conclusion: We have established size charts for fetuses from Italian couples using the recommended statistical approach. Since the mean birthweight in this study is not statistically different from the official birthweight reported for the Italian population, these reference intervals, developed according to the currently approved statistical methodology, can be employed during second- and third-trimester obstetric ultrasound of fetuses from Italian couples.

This study examines the morphology of the face in the fossil macaque Macaca majori from Capo Figari (north-eastern Sardinia, Italy) in a comparative ontogenetic context. Thus, a fairly complete face from an adult representative of this fossil species is compared with 3 extant macaque species: Macaca sylvanus (of which species it is questioned whether it is a subspecies, M. sylvanus majori), Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis. Additional incomplete subadult and adult specimens are also examined in order to compare their facial ontogeny with that of the same living species. The comparisons are based on facial landmark data and are undertaken using geometric morphometric methods. These studies indicate that the adult facial morphology and ontogeny of face size and shape in M. majori share much in common with extant macaque species. However, the adult M. majori face displays some unique morphological features, in particular with regard to lateral flaring and relative size of the zygomatic roots. From the study of a limited sample of fossils there is an indication that this flaring arises during postnatal growth, and in consequence the ontogeny of the face of this fossil species may be different from that of M. sylvanus and the other macaque species included in this analysis. From these studies, we conclude that M. majori shows differences in adult facial morphology and possibly in ontogeny from M. sylvanus compatible with a specific rather than subspecific distinction.

No genes influencing oculometric phenotypes have yet been identified, despite it being well known that eye morphometry is involved in refraction and that genetics may play an important role. We have therefore performed a heritability analysis and genome-wide search (GWS) of biometric ocular traits in an isolated Sardinian population, assessing the genetic contribution and identifying the associated genetic loci. A complete eye examination including refraction and ocular biometry measurements such as axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and corneal curvature (CC), was performed on 789 subjects. Heritability analysis was carried out by means of parent-offspring regression and variance component models. Univariate and bivariate linkage analysis was performed by using 654 microsatellite markers spanning the genome. CC showed a mean heritability of 57%. AL and ACD were found to have significantly different variances (P<0.01) in males and females, so that heritability was calculated separately for each sex. AL had an estimated heritability in females of 31% and in males of 60%, whereas ACD had an estimated heritability of 47% in females and of 44% in males. In the GWS, the most suggestive evidence of linkage was identified on chromosome 2 for AL (LOD 2.64), on chromosome 1 for ACD (LOD 2.32) and on chromosomes 7, 2 and 3 for CC (LOD 2.50, 2.44 and 2.34, respectively). High heritability of eye morphometry traits was thus revealed. The identified loci are the first linkage signals available in ocular biometry. Notably, the observed significant differences in parental transmission deserve further study.

We present a model to estimate the size of an unknown population from a number of lists that applies when the assumptions of (a) homogeneity of capture probabilities of individuals and (b) marginal independence of lists are violated. This situation typically occurs in epidemiological studies, where the heterogeneity of individuals is severe and researchers cannot control the independence between sources of ascertainment. We discuss the situation when categorical covariates are available and the interest is not only in the total undercount, but also in the undercount within each stratum resulting from the cross-classification of the covariates. We also present several techniques for determining confidence intervals of the undercount within each stratum using the profile log likelihood, thereby extending the work of Cormack (1992, Biometrics48, 567-576).

In this article, we show that, if subjects are assumed to be homogeneous within a finite set of latent classes, the basic restrictions of the Rasch model (conditional independence and unidimensionality) can be relaxed in a flexible way by simply adding appropriate columns to a basic design matrix. When discrete covariates are available so that subjects may be classified into strata, we show how a joint modeling approach can achieve greater parsimony. Parameter estimates may be obtained by maximizing the conditional likelihood (given the total number of captures) with a combined use of the EM and Fisher scoring algorithms. We also discuss a technique for obtaining confidence intervals for the size of the population under study based on the profile likelihood.

We determined the applicability of deriving the stature from knee height in an older Italian population, and, in the same population, we assessed longitudinally the change in stature over a 6-year interval. The standing stature and knee height in a supine position were measured in the entire home-dwelling older (65 + years) population of a small Italian town (N = 606). Stature measured in 1989 and in 1995 was used to assess longitudinal changes in 258 subjects of the same population. Stature derived from knee height was greater than measured stature in this population and in the two sexes. This difference disappeared when subjects with evident kyphosis were excluded. From 1989 to 1995, stature decreased by 1.7+/-3.0 cm, with women showing a larger decrement than men. Stature estimated from knee height is more accurate than measured stature in subjects with kyphosis. In accordance with previous studies, stature decreases with aging, and such height loss is greater in women than in men.