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The findings of the Bryological Excursion conducted by the Working Group for Bryology of the Italian Botanical Society from 5 to 8 July 2012 on the Lucanian side of the Pollino National Park are presented herein. The objective of the excursion was to address the paucity of knowledge regarding bryological diversity in understudied regions of Italy. This endeavour led to the discovery of 150 species of bryophytes, 41 of which are novel to the Basilicata region. For each species, the collection location and growth substrate are indicated. Some of the species are of floristic and phytogeographic interest. This is a group of boreal and arctic-alpine species, previously documented only in the Alpine arc and at the highest peaks of the Apennine chain. The Pollino massif represents the southernmost limit of their range. It is worth noting the presence of Brachydontium trichodes , Schistidium papillosum , Tortula laureri and Herzogiella striatella . Another noteworthy assemblage of species is found on the ophiolitic rocks of Timpa delle Murge. The distinctive ecological characteristics of this substrate result in the evolution of species that are exclusive to these environments. The ecological characteristics and distribution of each species within these two groups are described in detail.

In this contribution, new data concerning algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the algae genus Chara , the bryophyte genera Cephalozia , Conardia , Conocephalum , Didymodon , Sphagnum , Tetraplodon , and Tortula , the fungal genera Endophyllum , Gymnosporangium , Microbotryum , Phragmidium , and Pluteus , and the lichen genera Candelariella , Cladonia , Flavoplaca , Lichenothelia , Peltigera , Placolecis , Rinodina , Scytinium , and Solenopsora .

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Campylopus , Paludella , Tortula , and Conocephalum , the fungal genera Agonimia , Buelliella , Entorrhiza , Filicupula , Poronia , and Sporisorium , the lichen genera Cladonia , Dibaeis , Lasallia , and Rhizocarpon .

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Diplophyllum and Ptychostomum , the fungal genera Arrhenia , Gymnosporangium , and Sporidesmium and the lichen genera Arthonia , Coenogonium , Flavoplaca , Gyalolechia , Parmotrema , Peltigera , Pterygiopsis , Squamarina , Tornabea , and Waynea .

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Diplophyllum and Ptychostomum , the fungal genera Arrhenia , Gymnosporangium , and Sporidesmium and the lichen genera Arthonia , Coenogonium , Flavoplaca , Gyalolechia , Parmotrema , Peltigera , Pterygiopsis , Squamarina , Tornabea , and Waynea .

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Diplophyllum and Ptychostomum , the fungal genera Arrhenia , Gymnosporangium , and Sporidesmium and the lichen genera Arthonia , Coenogonium , Flavoplaca , Gyalolechia , Parmotrema , Peltigera , Pterygiopsis , Squamarina , Tornabea , and Waynea .

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire designed to measure the impact of sleep impairment on emotional distress in patients with various sleep disorders. Five experts created an item data-bank pertaining to sleep-related psychological symptoms and somatic perceptions. Fifty patients in two focus groups examined each item for: a) word clarity (indicating any ambiguity of interpretation) and b) appropriateness for the target population. This process permitted to identify 36 appropriate items. Classical Test Theory and Rasch Analysis were used to further refine the questionnaire, yielding the final 17-item set. Concurrent validation of the new scale was tested with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Anxiety and Depression questionnaires. Starting from the initial item data-bank, a 17-item questionnaire, the Maugeri Sleep Quality and Distress Inventory (MaSQuDI-17), was produced. Parallel Analysis on the MaSQuDI-17 confirmed the presence of a single dimension; exploratory factor analysis showed salient loading for each item, explaining 58.7% of total variance. Item-remainder correlation ranged from 0.72 to 0.39 and Cronbach alpha was 0.896. Rasch analysis revealed satisfactory psychometric properties of the new scale: the rating structure performed according to expectations, model fit was good and no item dependencies emerged. The scale presented good convergent validity and scores significantly distinguished healthy subjects from OSAS or Insomnia or BSD (p < 0.001). MaSQuDI -17 shows good psychometric qualities, and can be used to assess the impact of sleep disorders such as Insomnia, OSAS, Central Hypersomnia and BSD on emotional stress.