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Polymer composite films containing dyes of different structure characterized by optical responsiveness to external stimuli are studied because they are very promising for the development of smart and intelligent polymer devices for sensing and safety applications. In this context, a computational work was carried out for the screening of UV-Vis absorption and emission spectra of a series of fluorophores containing functionalized thiophene rings with push-pull groups. The theoretical most promising structures, based on new 1,4-bis-(thienylethynyl)benzene derivatives, were synthesized by a two-step sequence involving a Cassar-Heck coupling reaction followed by a Sila-Sonogashira reaction and and their main optical features were characterized in solution by UV-Vis and emission spectroscopies.

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Three stunt nematode species, Tylenchorhynchus leviterminalis, T. dubius and T. claytoni were characterized with segments of small subunit 18S and large subunit 28S rDNA sequence and placed in molecular phylogenetic context with other polyphyletic taxa of Telotylenchidae. Based upon comparably sized phylogenetic breadth of outgroups and ingroups, the 28S rDNA contained three times the number of phylogenetically informative alignment characters relative to the alignment total compared to the larger 18S dataset even though there were fewer than half the number of taxa represented. Tail shapes and hyaline termini were characterized for taxa within these subfamily trees, and variability discussed for some related species. In 18S trees, similar terminal tail thickness was found in a well-supported clade of three Tylenchorhynchus: broad-tailed T. leviterminalis branched outside relatively narrow-tailed T. claytoni and T. nudus. Terminal tail thickness within Merliniinae, Telotylenchinae and related taxa showed a mosaic distribution. Thick-tailed Trophurus, Macrotrophurus and putative Paratrophurus did not group together in the 18S tree. Extremely thickened tail termini arose at least once in Amplimerlinius and Pratylenchoides among ten species of Merliniinae plus three Pratylenchoides, and three times within twelve taxa of Telotylenchinae and Trophurinae. Conflicting generic and family nomenclature based on characters such as pharyngeal overlap are discussed in light of current molecular phylogeny. Contrary to some expectations from current taxonomy, Telotylenchus and Tylenchorhynchus cf. robustus did not cluster with three Tylenchorhynchus spp. Two putative species of Neodolichorhynchus failed to group together, and two populations of Scutylenchus quadrifer demonstrated as much or greater genetic distance between them than among three related species of Merlinius.

Although the ability of plant-parasitic nematodes to survive in a dehydrated or anhydrobiotic state for long periods of time has been well documented, the ability of free-living nematodes has not. Here we report on the survival of a free-living nematode, Panagrolaimus sp., from Armenia in the anhydrobiotic state for 8.7 years. This Panagrolaimus sp. can be cultured and maintained readily and may provide a good system for studying anhydrobiosis in nematodes.

The identity of a newly discovered population of pale potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida associated with potato in eastern Idaho was established by morphological and molecular methods. Morphometrics of cysts and second-stage juveniles were generally within the expected ranges for G. pallida with some variations noted. The Idaho population and paratype material from Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, both showed variations in tail shape, with bluntly rounded to finely pointed tail termini. Compared to literature values for the paratypes, second-stage juveniles of the Idaho population had a somewhat shorter mean body length, and cysts had a slightly higher mean distance from the anus to the nearest edge of the fenestra. PCR-RFLP of the rDNA ITS region, sequence-specific multiplex PCR and DNA sequence comparisons all confirmed the identity of the Idaho population as G. pallida. The ITS rDNA sequence of the Idaho isolate was identical to those from York, England, and the Netherlands. Species-specific primers that can positively identify the tobacco cyst nematode Globodera tabacum were also developed, providing a new assay for distinguishing this species from G. pallida and the golden potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis.

A root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis n. sp., is described and illustrated from peach originally collected from Gainesville, Florida. This new species resembles M. incognita, M. christiei, M. graminicola, and M. hispanica, but with LM and SEM observations it differs from these species either by the body length, shape of head, tail and tail terminus of second-stage juveniles, body length and shape of spicules in males, and its distinctive female perineal pattern. This pattern has a high to narrowly rounded arch with coarsely broken and network-like striae in and around anal area, faint lateral lines interrupting transverse striae, a sunken vulva and anus, and large distinct phasmids. Molecular data from ribosomal IGS illustrate that M. floridensis n. sp. is different from the mitotic species M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica. Data from RAPDs confirm it and suggest that this new species lies in an intermediate phylogenetic position between the previous species and the meiotic species M. hapla, M. fallax, and M. chitwoodi. Differential host tests based on annual crops and on Prunus accessions are reported.

A root-knot nematode Meloidogyne thailandica n. sp. was discovered on roots of ginger (Zingiber spp.) intercepted from Thailand in October 2002 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the port of San Francisco. Comparison by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to five other morphologically related species (M. incognita, M. arenaria, M. microcephala, M. megatyla, and M. enterolobii) revealed that the new species differs from these by one or more of the following: body, tail and hyaline tail length, shape of head, tail and tail terminus of second-stage juveniles; stylet length and shape of spicules in males; perineal pattern, stylet length and shape of knobs in females. The distinctive perineal pattern is oval to rectangular, with smooth to moderately wavy and coarse striae, and with characteristic radial structures present underneath the pattern area; the dorsal arch is high, sometimes round to rectangular, and striae in and around the anal area form a thick network-like pattern interrupted by lateral lines and large phasmids. Second-stage juveniles have a long, slender tail and long, gradually tapering hyaline tail region ending in a rounded terminus. Male spicules commonly have an acutely angled shaft with a bidentate terminus. Molecular data from the ribosomal large subunit D3 expansion segment revealed four haplotypes, two of which were unique and distinguish M. thailandica n. sp. from M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica.

We conducted a GIS spatial analysis with the aim of providing the first quantitative large-scale overview of the distribution patterns of 1536 type localities ( loci classici ) of 1216 Italian endemic vascular plants and their relationship with a set of descriptive variables. Whereas some variables were used to model the presence-absence distribution patterns of the type localities for the whole set of endemics as well as for the subset of narrow endemics, others (e.g., presence inside or outside protected areas and Italian Important Plant Areas) were considered with the purpose of assessing potential assets or risks for conservation. The largest number of type localities was found within the Mediterranean biogeographic region (1134), followed by the Alpine region (306) and Continental region (96). A total of 670 locations are located on islands, whereas 866 are located on the Italian mainland (139 and 124 in the case of narrow endemics, respectively). A large number of type localities are located in mountainous areas and along the coastline, which can be seen as a potential risk for conservation. On the contrary, we detected a positive correlation with the distance from roads, which might be considered to be an asset. Importantly, 1030 type localities fall inside protected areas, whereas 506 localities fall outside protected areas, with 259 of these unprotected localities on islands. We propose considering the results of the analysis of the distribution of type localities of Italian endemics to be a strategic tool for conservation planning and resource management. Application of plant micro-reserves and integration of diverse legislation tools are suggested to strengthen efforts and increase conservation success.

La cartografia rappresenta una delle forme espressive più appropriate per rappresentare il mondo, le sue partizioni, gli elementi che lo compongono e le loro interrelazioni. Non è certamente l'unico strumento: allo stesso fine si possono utilizzare testi scritti, immagini non cartografiche, come la fotografia o il filmato. Tuttavia la carta geografica continua ad essere considerata da molti il sistema di rappresentazione più strettamente connesso con la Geografia. Inoltre la carta geografica evolve e si adegua agli strumenti che la tecnologia mette a disposizione nelle diverse epoche, muta i suoi supporti tradizionali e anche il suo linguaggio, cosicché si dimostra quasi sempre al passo con i tempi. Il contributo esamina il lessico cartografico presente negli esemplari del XVI secolo, in relazione con la situazione politica, economica, sociale e culturale che ha espresso quell'iconografia. Il lessico cartografico è particolarmente complesso in quanto si compone di testi scritti, con contenuti tecnico-scientifici o informativi in relazione a tematiche quanto mai varie (politiche, militari, progettuali, ecc.); di un apparato grafico, artistico e ornamentale; di presupposti tecnici. Il complesso linguaggio cartografico concorre a generare un'immagine geografica la cui finalità va interpretata tramite una lettura critica.

As many other Italian towns, the historical center of Sassari was built using materials of prevailing local provenance. This is the reason why, following the program research of the Progetto Finalizzato “Beni Culturali” , the survey of materials constituting the buildings of the ancient city center of this town and of the decay typologies was carried out. All data were filed in a database and two thematic maps were also produced (materials/lithotypes, and weathering). On this basis and by means of a specific software, quantitative evaluations of lithotypes were obtained. The research evidenced that the use of different natural stones was conditioned by their availability and their different petro-physical features. Pedraforte (carbonatic conglomerate), showing better features but of limited availability, has been used for those portions of the buildings that needed better performances. Marly limestone and calcarenite are the most abundant materials. In particular, marly limestones, occurring in the immediate subsoil of the town, were widely used for plastered walls. Generally, all the surveyed materials display a poor state of conservation, except for those buildings recently restored. Almost all the weathering typologies have been recorded even though some of them are strictly correlated to a specific material. Pedraforte and ignimbrite are affected by alveolization whereas artificial patinae, erosion and granular disintegration have been mainly recorded for marly limestones and calcarenites. Oxalate patinae evidenced on Pedraforte in some buildings are possibly related to the use of organic matter for protective or even decorative purposes. A detailed study of the main facades of some relevant monuments contributed to a further understanding of the behavior of these materials whenever used as building stone and provided a useful tool for a correct restoration and conservation. The study also allowed to identify the exploitation areas of the main building materials used in the historical architecture of Sassari. Some of them are currently obliterated by recent building activity, and only few traces are still visible. This aspect evidences the importance of preserving the quarrying sites for their historical and cultural interest and, above all, for possible provisioning for restorations.