Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 2.

In this contribution new chromosome numbers for Italian endemic taxa are presented. It includes 13 chromosome counts for Ornithogalum (Asparagaceae), Anthemis, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Hieracium, Taraxacum (Asteraceae), Asyneuma (Campanulaceae), Knautia (Caprifoliaceae), Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae), Linum (Linaceae), Helleborus (Ranunculaceae)

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 2.

In this contribution new chromosome numbers for Italian endemic taxa are presented. It includes 13 chromosome counts for Ornithogalum (Asparagaceae), Anthemis, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Hieracium, Taraxacum (Asteraceae), Asyneuma (Campanulaceae), Knautia (Caprifoliaceae), Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae), Linum (Linaceae), Helleborus (Ranunculaceae)

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 1.

In this contribution new chromosome data obtained on material collected in Italy are presented. It includes 15 chromosome counts for Carduus, Crepis, Picris, Taraxacum (Asteraceae), Ceratonia, Lathyrus (Fabaceae), Colchicum (Colchicaceae), Fritillaria (Liliaceae), Petrorhagia (Caryophyllaceae), Potentilla (Rosaceae), Quercus (Fagaceae), Reseda (Resedaceae), and Thymus (Lamiaceae)

Tectonic evolution of the southern margin of the Amazonian craton in the late Mesoproterozoic based on field relationships and zircon U-Pb geochronology

New U-Pb zircon geochronological data integrated with field relationships and an airborne geophysical survey suggest that the Nova Brasilândia and Aguapeí belts are part of the same monocyclic, metaigneous and metasedimentary belt formed in the late Mesoproterozoic (1150 Ma-1110 Ma). This geological history is very similar to the within-plate origin of the Sunsás belt, in eastern Bolivia. Thus, we propose that the Nova Brasilândia, Aguapeí and Sunsás belts represent a unique geotectonic unit (here termed the Western Amazon belt) that became amalgamated at the end of the Mesoproterozoic and originated through the reactivation of a paleo-suture (Guaporé suture zone) in an intracontinental rift environment. Therefore, its geological history involves a short, complete Wilson cycle of ca. 40 Ma. Globally, this tectonic evolution may be related with the final breakup of the supercontinent Columbia. Mafic rocks and trondhjemites in the northernmost portion of the belt yielded U-Pb zircon ages ca. 1110 Ma, which dates the high-grade metamorphism and the closure of the rift. This indicates that the breakup of supercontinent Columbia was followed in short sequence by the assembly of supercontinent Rodinia at ca. 1.1-1.0 Ga and that the Western Amazon belt was formed during the accretion of the Arequipa-Antofalla basement to the Amazonian craton

The Penetration–Aspiration Scale: Adaptation to Open Partial Laryngectomy and Reliability Analysis

A standard for assessing swallowing function after open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL) is still not established. The variability in the measures used to investigate swallowing functional outcomes after OPHL limits the communication among clinicians and the possibility to compare and combine results from different studies. The study aims to adapt the PAS to the altered anatomy after OPHLs using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and to test its reliability. To adapt the PAS, two landmarks were identified: the entry of the laryngeal vestibule and the neoglottis. Ninety patients who underwent an OPHL were recruited (27 type I, 31 type II and 32 type III). FEES was performed and video-recorded. Two speech and language therapists (SLTs) independently rated each FEES using the PAS adapted for OPHL (OPHL-PAS). FEES recordings were rated for a second time by both SLTs at least 15 days from the first video analysis. Inter- and intra-rater agreement was assessed using unweighted Cohen's kappa. Overall, inter-rater agreement of the OPHL-PAS was k\u2009=\u20090.863, while intra-rater agreement was k\u2009=\u20090.854. Concerning different OPHL types, inter- and intra-rater agreement were k\u2009=\u20090.924 and k\u2009=\u20090.914 for type I, k\u2009=\u20090.865 and k\u2009=\u20090.790 for type II, and k\u2009=\u20090.808 and k\u2009=\u20090.858 for type III, respectively. The OPHL-PAS is a reliable scale to assess the invasion of lower airway during swallowing in patients with OPHL using FEES. The study represents the first attempt to define standard tools to assess swallowing functional outcome in this population

Variability of 137Cs and 40K soil-to-fruit transfer factor in tropical lemon trees during the fruit development period

In this investigation we evaluate the soil uptake of 137Cs and 40K by tropical plants and their consequent translocation to fruits, by calculating the soil-to-fruit transfer factors defined as Fv = [concentration of radionuclide in fruit (Bq kg-1 dry mass)/concentration of radionuclide in soil (Bq kg-1 dry mass in upper 20 cm)]. In order to obtain Fv values, the accumulation of these radionuclides in fruits of lemon trees (Citrus limon B.) during the fruit growth was measured. A mathematical model was calibrated from the experimental data allowing simulating the incorporation process of these radionuclides by fruits. Although the fruit incorporates a lot more potassium than cesium, both radionuclides present similar absorption patterns during the entire growth period. Fv ranged from 0.54 to 1.02 for 40K and from 0.02 to 0.06 for 137Cs. Maximum Fv values are reached at the initial time of fruit growth and decrease as the fruit develops, being lowest at the maturation period. As a result of applying the model a decreasing exponential function is derived for Fv as time increases. The agreement between the theoretical approach and the experimental values is satisfactory.Fil: Velasco, Ricardo Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico, Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi"; ArgentinaFil: Cid, A. S.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Anjos, R. M.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Zamboni, C. B.. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; BrasilFil: Rizzotto, Marcos Gregorio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico, Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi"; ArgentinaFil: Valladares, Diego Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico, Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi"; ArgentinaFil: Juri Ayub, Jimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico, Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi"; Argentina. Universidade Federal Fluminense; Brasi