1,721,128 research outputs found
Typification of the name Cistus × skanbergii Lojac., a rare rockrose extinct in its type locality
Full text linkIn 1885 Lojacono-Pojero described Cistus skanbergi, also known as the dwarf pink rockrose, from the Island of Lampedusa (Sicily, Italy). Despite becoming extinct in its type locality and being very rare in the Mediterranean Basin, during the last decades the plant corresponding to this name, a natural hybrid between C. parviflorus Lam. and C. monspeliensis L., has been successfully cultivated and introduced worldwide for ornamental purposes. The search carried out in several European herbaria allowed to select as lectotype a specimen collected by Lojacono-Pojero and kept at the herbarium of Kew, to detect other isolectotypes, kept in the herbaria of Geneva and Palermo, and to detect another syntype corresponding to a specimen collected by Gussone and currently kept at the herbarium of Palermo
From common and used to rare and forgotten: Past and present distribution of the archaeophyte Euphorbia lathyris L. (Euphorbiaceae) in southern Italy and Sicily
No full textOur study aimed at clarifying the current and previous occurrence, distribution and status (native vs. introduced) of Euphorbia lathyris L., the caper spurge, in S Italy and Sicily: most of the recent Italian floras and checklists, in fact, do not report this species for this area. To do this, a multi-disciplinary research was carried out taking into account not only botanical but also ethnobotanical and dialectological sources and a survey of the main herbaria of central and southern Italy. Our results point out that E. lathyris was much more frequent, well-known and commonly used in the whole southern Italy and in Sicily until 2-3 centuries ago, and that it probably experienced isolated cases of short naturalization at that time. Nowadays the caper spurge still occurs with few, small and scattered populations only in Molise and Calabria
Pre-Operative Modeling of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement in a Surgical Heart Valve Bioprosthesis
Full text linkObstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) is a common complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). This procedure can determine an elongation of an LVOT (namely, the neo-LVOT), ultimately portending hemodynamic impairment and patient death. This study aimed to understand the biomechanical implications of LVOT obstruction in a patient who underwent TMVR using a transcatheter heart valve (THV) to repair a failed bioprosthetic heart valve. We first reconstructed the heart anatomy and the bioprosthetic heart valve to virtually implant a computer-aided-design (CAD) model of THV and evaluate the neo-LVOT area. A numerical simulation of THV deployment was then developed to assess the anchorage of the THV to the bioprosthetic heart valve as well as the resulting Von Mises stress at the mitral annulus and the contract pressure among implanted bioprostheses. Quantification of neo-LVOT and THV deployment may facilitate more accurate predictions of the LVOT obstruction in TMVR and help clinicians in the optimal choice of the THV siz
Typification of the name Senecio pygmaeus (Asteraceae), with some additional taxonomic and phytogeographic remarks
Full text linkA thorough research on the scientific activity of Guglielmo Gasparrini, Giovanni Gussone and Augustin Pyramus De Candolle allowed the authors to address a research in several European herbaria looking for the type of the name Senecio pygmaeus DC. The original specimen sent by Gussone and mentioned in the protologue by Candolle is still kept at G-DC and is designated as the lectotype, whilst three other herbarium sheets, preserved at NAP-GUSS, PAL and PAV herbaria respectively, in all probability belong to the same gathering, and are considered as isolectotypes. The authors provide an updated description of this taxon in order to better point out its diagnostic characters. However, further biosystematic and phytogeographic surveys are needed to ascertain the taxonomic value and the distribution range of S.pygmaeus. Indeed, it might represent just a dwarfed, salt-tolerant ecotype of S.leucanthemifolius Poir. or S.vulgarisL., hence be more widespread than previously reported, counting numerous scattered populations along the rocky shores of central and eastern Mediterranean countries
A new subspecies of Epipactis microphylla (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from Pantelleria Island (Sicily)
No full textBrullo, Salvatore, Brullo, Cristian, Cambria, Salvatore, Tavilla, Gianmarco, Pasta, Salvatore, Scuderi, Leonardo, Zimmitti, Angelo (2021): A new subspecies of Epipactis microphylla (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from Pantelleria Island (Sicily). Phytotaxa 512 (2): 83-96, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.512.2.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.512.2.
Typification of the names of three Sicilian endemic Orchidaceae published by Agostino Todaro
No full textIn the framework of the ongoing nomenclatural revision of the plant taxa described by Agostino Todaro, this paper is focused on three orchids described by him. The name Arachnites biancae (≡ Ophrys oxyrhynchos subsp. biancae) is here lectotypified with a specimen kept in PAL, while the names Arachnites fuciflora var. panormitana (≡ Ophrys exaltata subsp. panormitana) and Ophrys oxyrhynchos are neotypified using specimens preserved at P. Nomenclatural, taxonomic, ecological, and phytogeographical notes are provided for each taxon
Fractional Calculus as a New Perspective in the Viscoelastic Behaviour of the Intervertebral Disc
No full textThe spinal column is the load-bearing structure of the human being along with its components, which together build a strong, resistant, and stable structure, but there are a few different pathologies from which it can suffer, such as herniated discs. The intervertebral disc acts as a shock absorber and ensures the spine’s great capacity to support high loads and different states of stress, thanks to its viscoelastic properties. Some studies have attempted to describe the viscoelastic behaviour of the intervertebral disc using classical rheological models, such as the Kelvin-Voigt, or multi-parameter models. Even if these models partially describe the viscoelastic response of disc, all viscoelastic characteristics are not fully captured. This article aims to present the current studies on the biomechanics of intervertebral disc and to introduce a new approach using the powerful mathematical tool of fractional calculus. With fractional rheological models, it could be possible to formulate a fractional law that can fully describe the viscoelastic behaviour of the intervertebral disc. This new approach could lead to a breakthrough in the study of herniated pathologies by understanding how the intervertebral disc is damaged and identifying strategies to deal with these pathological problems
FIGURE 5 in A new subspecies of Epipactis microphylla (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from Pantelleria Island (Sicily)
No full textFIGURE 5. Phenological features of Epipactis microphylla subsp. cossyrensis. A–B. Habit in nature. C. Detail of inflorescence. D. Flower. (Photographs A, C by L. Scuderi, B, D by A. Zimmitti.)Published as part of Brullo, Salvatore, Brullo, Cristian, Cambria, Salvatore, Tavilla, Gianmarco, Pasta, Salvatore, Scuderi, Leonardo & Zimmitti, Angelo, 2021, A new subspecies of Epipactis microphylla (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from Pantelleria Island (Sicily), pp. 83-96 in Phytotaxa 512 (2) on page 89, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.512.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/530494
Comparison of hemodynamic and structural indices of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm as predicted by 2-way FSI, CFD rigid wall simulation and patient-specific displacement-based FEA
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Beyond Urban Forests: The Multiple Functions and the Overlooked Role of Semi-Natural Ecosystems in Mediterranean Cities
Full text linkIn recent times, the misleading belief that the indiscriminate planting of a million trees is the panacea to some of the most serious and urgent environmental problems of our planet (such as soil erosion, climate change, etc.) has gained increasing popularity. However, the idea of “reforesting the planet” does not seem to adequately consider the fact that forests most often represent the last successional stage of terrestrial ecosystems, thus requiring—at least in the first years after planting within urban contexts—some care (hence time and money resources) to become large enough to fulfil the functions (climate mitigation, particulate capture, air purification, etc.) expected by public opinion. Starting from these critical considerations, this paper aims to highlight the need to carry out in-depth multidisciplinary investigations on the most suitable species and communities, underlining the fact that, to improve the environmental quality in urban areas, it is necessary to make appropriate choices, also considering the biogeographical contexts in which such interventions are made
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