Abstract. Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stages of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is known to be one of the most important parasitic infection in livestock worldwide and one of the most widespread zoonoses known. In the present study, we used a geographical information system (GIS) to study the spatial structure of livestock (cattle, water buffaloes and sheep) populations to gain a better understanding of the role of sheep as reservoir for the transmission of CE to cattle and water buffaloes. To this end, a survey on CE in cattle and water buffaloes from the Campania region of southern Italy was conducted and the geo-referenced results linked to the regional farm geo-referenced data within a GIS. The results showed a noteworthy prevalence of CE in cattle and water buffalo farms (overall prevalence = 18.6%). The elaboration of the data with a GIS approach showed a close proximity of the bovine and/or water buffalo CE positive farms with the ovine farms present in the study area, thus giving important information on the significance of sheep and free-ranging canids in the transmission cycles of CE in relation to cattle and water buffaloes. The significantly higher prevalence found in cattle as compared to water buffalo farms (20.0% versus 12.4%) supports the key role of sheep in the CE transmission; indeed, within the 5 km radius buffer zones constructed around the cattle farms positive for CE, a higher number of (potentially infected) sheep farms were found compared to those found within the buffer zones around the water buffalo farms. Furthermore, the average distances between the sheep and cattle farms falling in the same buffer zones were significantly lower than those between the sheep and water buffalo farms. We emphasize that the use of GIS is a novel approach to further our understanding of the epidemiology and control of CE and we encourage other groups to make use of it.

The purpose of this preliminary study is to analyse important operational aspects of using a generic gliding vehicle for ISS Crew Rescue Missions. In particular, mission duration, coast and re-entry windows, ground coverage and maximum loads are investigated. A fourstep approach is followed: first, re-entry corridor is computed taking into account thermomechanical constraints; second, the descent trajectory is simulated down to an altitude of 25 km, where the Terminal Area Energy Management (TAEM) guidance switches on. Third, footprint is computed for every point along the ISS orbit with a computationally-efficient approach to easily define both available re-entry windows and coast phases. Fourth, ground network coverage is analysed for a family of possible trajectories. The results of this preliminary analysis show that, considering a single target airport in Europe, the maximum coasting between two consecutive windows lasts about 6 hours. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the coast duration can be halved by adding an extra-runway in the Indian Ocean. Concerning ground coverage, it is shown that using a conventional network of stations does not provide sufficient link. Therefore, a satellite data relay system, like the American TDRSS, is highly recommended. Apart from number and comfort of the seats (important in case of injured astronauts), the short coasting duration, the possibility of landing on a runway and the low accelerations at re-entry are the main strengths of a gliding vehicle compared to a Soyuz-like capsule. I. Nomenclature= Earth oblateness r = geocentric radius t = time * Mission Analysis Engineer, Systems Engineering Department at AVIO Spa on behalf of AizoOn Consulting, strada del Lionetto, Turin, giuseppe.dicampli@aizoon.it.

During a phytosociological field-work campaign on the vegetation of the travertine outcrops, included in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) “Travertini Acque Albule (Bagni di Tivoli)” (Central Italy), several taxa of particular interest were identified. Carex vulpina, Lolium apenninum, Onosma echioides subsp. angustifolia, Typha domingensis, T. laxmannii and Vicia pannonica subsp. pannonica are new for the Lazio administrative Region, while Ophrys illyrica and Zannichellia peltata are confirmed for the flora of this Region. For each of these taxa phytosociological samples describing the plant communities in which they were found are provided. New records for rare species were also reported for cryptogams such as Algae, Lichens and Mosses.

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

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