Alien grapes (Vitis, Vitaceae) in Sicily (Italy): novelties for the Sicilian and Mediterranean flora

With the aim to improve and update the information on distribution and invasiveness of the genus Vitis across the Euro-Mediterranean area, the authors explored Sicily (Italy), one of the world most important areas for viticulture, where this taxonomic critical group seems to have been neglected on floristics grounds. One naturalized (V. ×goliath) and two invasive taxa (V. ×instabilis, V. ×ruggerii) are reported for the first time from this region, while the presence of V. labrusca and V. ×koberi is confirmed. V. rupestris and V. ×ruggerii are recorded as invasive for the first time in the Euro-Mediterranean area, while the invasion status of V. labrusca is changed from casual to naturalized for Sicily. Previous literature data on V. berlandieri and V. riparia are discussed: the former species is excluded from the Sicilian flora, while the latter is regarded as doubtfully present. Additionally, the first record of V. ×ruggerii from Greece (Crete) is reported; this neophyte was previously unknown from eastern Mediterranean

Re-introduction of the four leaf clover in the agricultural context of the Po River Plain, Italy

none5noOrsenigo, Simone; Cauzzi, Paolo; Gentili, Rodolfo; Rossi, Graziano; Abeli, ThomasOrsenigo, Simone; Cauzzi, Paolo; Gentili, Rodolfo; Rossi, Graziano; Abeli, Thoma

Peperoncini (Capsicum sp. pl., Solanaceae) all’Orto Botanico di Pavia, un’antica tradizione riscoperta.

I Capsicum coltivati. Storia della coltivazione di Capsicum L. e consistenza della collezione attuale all'Orto botanico di Pavi

Gymnocoronis spilanthoides (Asteraceae, Eupatorieae), a new naturalized and potentially invasive aquatic alien in S Europe

Gymnocoronis spilanthoides, a naturalized South American neophyte introduced as an aquarium and aquatic ornamental plant, is recorded for the first time from southern Europe. Two populations were found in irrigation canals and in a rice field in northern Italy. Distribution, invasion status, ecology, and pathways of introduction of the species are presented. Additionally, the modes of dispersal, never investigated before in the European continent, are discussed and the potential invasive behaviour and impacts in the new growing sites are assessed

A national ground motion amplification model for Switzerland based on site proxies and incorporating local response observations at instrumented sites

Mapping the site response of strong ground motion is one of the key steps for earthquake risk assessment studies. In the wider framework of the national ‘Earthquake Risk Model for Switzerland’ project, we have prepared a ground motion site amplification model covering entire Switzerland. The model includes amplification maps for peak ground velocity (PGV), pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) at T = 1.0, 0.6, 0.3 s and corresponding uncertainties. The amplification maps for PGV, PSA(1.0s) and PSA(0.3s) have been also translated into macroseismic intensity aggravation layers for their use in ShakeMaps representations. The site response model we have developed is based on the local earthquake amplifications measured by 280 seismic stations deployed across Switzerland and retrieved by means of the empirical spectral modelling technique. The local estimates of site response are then spread over the national territory resorting to a geological classification, multi-scale topographical slope and the inferred depth-to-bedrock as predictor layers for the extrapolation. The local measures of site amplification are embodied in the national model using a regression-kriging algorithm. Considering that a significant portion of the seismic stations is located in urban environment, this inclusion contributes to the accuracy of the estimation of site response in areas with high exposure and it locally reduces its associated uncertainty

Investigation on painting materials in “Madonna col Bambino e S. Giovannino” by Botticelli

A study on the painting materials (pigments and binders) of the famous painting “Madonna col Bambino e S. Giovannino” by Sandro Botticelli, located in the Museo Civico of Piacenza (Italy), was performed before a recent restoration. The painting materials were investigated by the analysis of five millimetric samples taken in damaged regions. The pigments were determined using the micro-Raman spectroscopy, with the 632.8nm line of a He–Ne laser. Despite the strong fluorescence background, the nature of the ground layer (gypsum and anhydrite) and of most pigments (i.e. goethite, lapis lazuli, white lead) was determined. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was used to determine the organic binder media, and in particular proteinaceous and lipid materials. Egg and animal glue were found, while no siccative oils were detected