Proper Amplification Research Articles

Tap Dance in the Private-Sector Dance Studio

The experience of the tap dance educator in the private-sector studio was studied using a mixed methods approach that included a survey and individual interviews. Three hundred thirty-eight tap teachers responded to 25 survey questions about enrollment and hiring, training and curriculum, dance competitions and social media, and challenges and benefits. Interviews with nine tap educators collected in-depth descriptive data that expanded on the topics explored in the survey. Key findings include the following: tap enrollment is inconsistent; teachers teach the way they were taught; classroom content is focused on choreography with tap history, music theory, and improvisation listed eighth through tenth in importance; tap is fusing with other dance forms; and tap dance competitions lack qualified judges, appropriate flooring, and proper amplification. For tap dance to become more relevant in today’s dance scene, improved teacher training programs are needed.

Touch DNA: Revolutionizing Evidentiary DNA Forensics

Touch DNA is an advanced technique widely employed in modern criminal justice systems in many developed countries. It aims to extract genetic information from biological substances, specifically the cells shed from the outermost layer of skin, that are left behind on touched objects. This method involves recovering trace amounts of DNA from the biological cells released during contact, even though the quantity is usually very low. The recovered DNA is further analyzed to generate a person's DNA profile. Since dead cells are not really visible to the naked eye, successfully locating and recovering them can be challenging. Performing DNA profiling from the samples that are just touched is quite difficult, hence, requires a highly sensitive approach to its proper recovery, extraction, and amplification of the segment. The methods which are used for the collection, sampling procedure, preservation, removal of contaminants, quantification of DNA, the amplifying of the genetic material, and the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the findings all play a role in how well touch DNA analysis works. Various techniques have been created over time to gather touch DNA. Reliable DNA profiles are produced thanks to the use of sophisticated kits, tools, and well-equipped forensic laboratories, which benefit the criminal justice system.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Variants in Hospital Wastewater in a Developing Country

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a beneficial tool for comprehensive health information on communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In developing countries, including Thailand, the application of WBE is limited. Few SARS-CoV-2 detections and variants have been monitored in wastewater in these countries. This is because of the time-consuming, low recovery of viruses in the concentration techniques and difficulties in finding the proper primers and amplification kits. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration using a commercial clinical kit. We identified the SARS-CoV-2 variants and estimated the detection costs in the wastewater samples. One hundred and fifty hospital wastewater samples were filtered with commercial ultrafiltration (UF) and then detected for the SARS-CoV-2 concentration using a Sansure Biotech SARS-CoV-2 kit. The recovery of the virus concentration technique in UF was studied using a surrogate (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus). The virus detection in wastewater was quantified by RT-qPCR. In addition, the mutation sites in the partial spike glycoprotein (S) gene of SARS-CoV-2 were verified using short nested RT-PCR. The results showed a high recovery of the commercial UF (80.53%), and 24.6% of hospital wastewater contained SARS-CoV-2. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater cost USD 35.43 per sample. The virus variants revealed V70del, H69del, and V144del mutations in the partial S gene of SARS-CoV-2 in B.1.1.7 (SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant), and T95I and G142D mutations in B.1.617.2 (Delta variant).

Keratinocyte-derived defensins activate neutrophil-specific receptors Mrgpra2a/b to prevent skin dysbiosis and bacterial infection

Healthy skin maintains a diverse microbiome and a potent immune system to fight off infections. Here, we discovered that the epithelial-cell-derived antimicrobial peptides defensins activated orphan G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) Mrgpra2a/b on neutrophils. This signaling axis was required for effective neutrophil-mediated skin immunity and microbiome homeostasis. We generated mutant mouse lines lacking the entire Defensin (Def) gene cluster in keratinocytes or Mrgpra2a/b. Def and Mrgpra2 mutant animals both exhibited skin dysbiosis, with reduced microbial diversity and expansion of Staphylococcus species. Defensins and Mrgpra2 were critical for combating S.aureus infections and the formation of neutrophil abscesses, a hallmark of antibacterial immunity. Activation of Mrgpra2 by defensin triggered neutrophil release of IL-1β and CXCL2 which are vital for proper amplification and propagation of the antibacterial immune response. This study demonstrated the importance of epithelial-neutrophil signaling via the defensin-Mrgpra2 axis in maintaining healthy skin ecology and promoting antibacterial host defense.

The cyclicality of job search effort in matching models

Abstract The canonical matching model is the workhorse model of the labour market but lacks a proper amplification mechanism for productivity shocks. One way to amplify the effects of shocks is to allow workers to endogenously adjust their job search effort: as search effort is procyclical in the canonical model, volatilities increase. Yet, the empirical literature points against procyclical search effort, raising doubts of how acyclical (or countercyclical) search effort can coincide with volatile labour market variables in matching models. We show that they can coincide in a model with procyclical value of leisure and alternating-offer wage bargaining.

Species-Specific Molecular Detection of the Root Knot Nematode Meloidogyne luci.

Simple SummaryThe root knot nematode Meloidogyne luci has been identified in various countries around the world parasitizing economically important crops. Due to its potential to cause serious damage to agriculture, the need for an accurate diagnosis at the species level has become mandatory. In the present study, a specific amplification product on M. luci was obtained from a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The DNA was sequenced and converted into a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker used for the species-specific molecular detection of this root knot nematode. The developed methodology is essential to monitoring the distribution and spread of M. luci in order to implement future effective and integrated pest management programs.Meloidogyne luci has been identified in various countries around the world parasitizing economically important crops and, due to its potential to cause serious damage to agriculture, was included in the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization Alert List in 2017. This species shares morphological and molecular similarities with M. ethiopica and M. inornata, and a M. ethiopica group was therefore established. Although specific primers for the DNA amplification of species belonging to the M. ethiopica group have been developed previously, the primers were not species-specific, so molecular markers for the specific detection of M. luci are still needed. The objective of this study was to develop a SCAR marker for the detection of M. luci and the discrimination from other Meloidogyne spp. based on the intraspecific variability found in RAPD markers. RAPD screening of M. luci and M. ethiopica genome was used for the identification of a specific amplification product on M. luci, which was cloned, sequenced and converted into a SCAR marker. The specificity of the designed primers (Mlf/r) was tested and produced a fragment (771 bp) for all nine M. luci isolates with no amplification for the other nine Meloidogyne spp., including M. ethiopica and M. inornata. Additionally, the proper amplification of the M. luci SCAR-marker was also successful with DNA from galls of M. luci infected tomato roots. The results obtained in this study reveal that the specific molecular detection of M. luci was achieved and that the developed methodology can be used for routine diagnosis purposes, which are essential to monitoring the distribution and spread of M. luci in order to implement future effective and integrated nematode pest management programs.

Neutrophil-Specific Defensin Receptors Prevent Skin Dysbiosis and Bacterial Infection

Healthy skin maintains a diverse microbiome and a potent immune system to fight off infections. Here, we discovered that epithelial cell-derived antimicrobial peptides defensins activate orphan GPCRs Mrgpra2a/b on neutrophils. This signaling axis is required for effective neutrophil-mediated skin immunity and microbiome homeostasis. We generated mutant mouse lines lacking the entire Defensin (Def) gene cluster or Mrgpra2a/b. Def and Mrgpra2 mutant animals both exhibited skin dysbiosis, with reduced microbial diversity and expansion of Staphylococcus species. Furthermore, we found that defensins and Mrgpra2 are critical for combatting S. aureus infections and the formation of neutrophil abscesses, a hallmark of antibacterial immunity. Activation of Mrgpra2 by defensin triggers neutrophils to release the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which is vital for proper amplification and propagation of the antibacterial immune response. This study demonstrates the importance of epithelial-neutrophil signaling via the defensin-Mrgpra2 axis in maintaining healthy skin ecology and promoting antibacterial host defense.

Simulation on an electro-hydrostatic actuator controlled by a high-pressure piezoelectric pump with a displacement amplifier

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a new hydrostatic actuator controlled by a piezoelectric piston pump and to reveal its characteristics.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, a piezoelectric pump with passive poppet valves and hydraulic displacement amplifier is designed as a new control component in a hydrostatic actuator for high actuation capacity. A component-level mathematical model is established to describe the system characteristics. Simulation verification for cases under typical conditions is implemented to evaluate the delivery behavior of the pump and the carrying ability of the actuator.FindingsBy using the displacement amplifier and the passive distributing valves, simulation demonstrates that the pump can deliver flow rate up to 3 L/min, and the actuator controlled by this pump can push an object weighing approximately 50 kg. In addition, it is particularly important to decide a proper amplification ratio of the amplifier in the pump for better actuation performance.Originality/valueThe piezoelectric pump presented in this paper has its potential to light hydrostatic actuator. The model constructed in this paper is valid for characteristic analysis and performance evaluation of this pump and actuators.

Human Rights of the Senior Citizens in Bangladesh: Political, Administrative and Economic Challenges

Human rights are the essential rights to all for their proper living and proper amplification of the qualities of human personality. These common rights are recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and also incorporated in the constitution of Bangladesh. But in some cases, these rights are violated in many ways. This study is an attempt to depict the causes and challenges for which the senior citizens cannot enjoy these rights properly. Its finding presents the political, administrative and economic challenges of human rights of the elderly people. Study sample of this research consisted of 60 respondents divided into three categories such as old home, general and key respondents. They were both male and female. This study has been conducted on the basis of primary and secondary sources of data collected through face to face interview and content analysis techniques. The finding revealed that a number of challenges and hostilities cumber the senior citizens in the way of their enjoying human rights with satisfaction. 48% of the senior citizens who belong to lower economic class earn their livelihood by begging. Political challenges like insufficient laws, inadequate national economy, corruption and nepotism; administrative challenges like lack of old home, lack of distinct institutions; and the poverty are responsible for this situation. This study recommends that raising moralities and consciousness, creating proper laws and their proper enforcement, establishing old homes, resistant social movement against all sorts of corruption can play an important role to prevent human rights violation of the senior citizens.

Performance investigation of hybrid optical amplifiers for high-speed optical networks

The development of lightwave systems required large capacity communication networks in today’s high-tech era. To fulfill these challenges required proper amplification of the signals. Hybrid optical amplifier made a remarkable change in present optical networks in order to amplify the signals for better performance of a system. In this paper, we have proposed different hybrid optical amplifier configurations [such as semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), EDFA-EDFA, Raman-EDFA] at channel spacing of 0.8 nm for 8 × 10 Gbps for wavelength division multiplexed optical networks. The performance is examined on the basis of quality factor (dB), maximum output power (dBm), minimum bit error rate (BER), and minimum eye closure by varying the transmission distance from 20 to 180 km. It is demonstrated that Raman-EDFA configuration provides better results for the small distances up to 100 km as compared to EDFA-EDFA and SOA-EDFA configurations. The variation in Q factor for Raman-EDFA, EDFA-EDFA, and SOA-EDFA is 33.35–13.56 dB, 32.30–10.95 dB, and 18.52–25.03 dB, respectively. When distance is increased from 100 to 180 km, SOA-EDFA provides better results than Raman-EDFA in terms of BER, but it shows non-uniform gain spectrum.

Use of Target-Specific Liposome and Magnetic Nanoparticle Conjugation for the Amplified Detection of Norovirus.

Viral diseases are one of the most life-threatening diseases as they can erupt unpredictably and spread rapidly in any medium with a very small number of particles. Therefore, the key for lethal virus detection should be highly sensitive in the early-stage detection, which can help increase the chance of survival. Amplification of the detecting signal is one of the most promising mechanisms for the detection of low-concentration analytes. A proper amplification can develop such a kind of system where a small number of particles can produce intense signals for a prominent detection. Keeping this in mind, in this report, we have presented a fluorometric method to detect norovirus (NoV) by a newly developed fluorophore-labeled liposome and a magnetically modified Fe3O4 combined system. Homogeneously distributed amine-functionalized liposomes have been constructed filled with a strong fluorophore of calcein. Simultaneously, (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES)-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles are also synthesized by the standard silanization process, and these two separately synthesized nanoparticles were functionalized with an antibody to achieve specificity. The Fe3O4 and calcein-liposome system has been applied for NoV detection, which was magnetically separated from the analyte medium and then externally burst to release the fluorophores from the core of the liposome. The easiness, rapidity, and sensitivity in a wide linear range can offer a huge potential of this method in point-of-care diagnostics.

An ultrasensitive and specific point-of-care CRISPR/Cas12 based lateral flow biosensor for the rapid detection of nucleic acids

CRISPR/Cas systems have displayed remarkable potential in developing novel biosensing applications for nucleic acid detection owing to the collateral cleavage activity of Cas effector proteins (Cas12, Cas13, etc.). Despite tremendous progress in recent years, the existing CRISPR/Cas based biosensing platforms have several limitations, including reliance on proper amplification methods, expensive fluorescence detection equipment, or lateral flow biosensor (LFB). Herein, we report a simple, inexpensive, and ultrasensitive DNA probe based LFB with CRISPR/Cas and loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (namely CIA). The concept behind this approach is a non-detectable test line on the LFB when the Cas effector protein collaterally cleaves the cognate target and an ssDNA reporter sequence. The CIA based LFB can detect as low as a single copy cloned Pseudomonas aeruginosa acyltransferase gene, 1 cfu/ml plasmid containing E. coli DH5α pure cultures, as well as clinical samples without DNA extraction/purification or advanced apparatuses. No cross-reactivity with other non-target bacteria was observed. The naked eye result readout was obtained in 15 min of LAMP amplification, 30 min of Cas12 reaction, and 5 min of LFB readout. This platform is robust and of low cost for on-site testing.

Perspectives on and Precautions for the Uses of Electric Spectroscopic Methods in Label-free Biosensing Applications.

Label-free approaches for molecular diagnostic applications are appealing because of their inherent point-of-care advantages. Nonetheless, technical challenges impose a limit on the use of these methods as will be discussed in this paper. Electrochemical spectroscopic methods, such as impedance and impedance-derived methods, are highly effective in the development of label-free diagnostic assays, but they require careful control of the dynamics of the sensing interface. We herein report the strength and challenges of the current methodologies associated with the applications of impedance and impedance-derived methods by focusing on their principles of operation. We demonstrate that the uses of their potentialities are not based on the know-how of these methods, but on how to combine the spectroscopic features with the required chemical design for the associated sensing interfaces. Predominantly, we illustrate how to use the resistive and capacitive terms of the interface to improve its sensitivity to the target. For instance, with the proper signal amplification strategy, limitations related to target-to-receptor size ratio can be overcome. The target-to-receptor ratio is one of the difficulties that we use as an example to illustrate how the sensing of an electric signal can be improved by controlling the properties of the interface on the nanometer scale.

Commodity prices and labour market dynamics in small open economies

We show that a model of an advanced small open economy with exports in commodities and search and matching frictions in the labour market can match the impulse responses from a panel vector autoregression to an identified commodity price shock. Using a minimum distance strategy, we find that international financial risk sharing is low even for advanced small open economies. Moreover, a strong real exchange rate appreciation is key for an unexpected commodity price increase to induce a tightening of labour market conditions in the model that is in line with the empirical evidence. As in the case of technology shocks discussed by Shimer (2005), proper amplification of the commodity price shock requires a high value of the outside option for unemployed agents. However, vacancies and unemployment hardly respond whenever the real exchange rate channel is mute. These findings suggest the relevance of the open economy dimension for the transmission of demand-type shocks to the labour market more generally.

Performance evaluation of hybrid optical amplifiers in WDM system

There is a huge demand of bandwidth and gain in today’s high tech era. To fulfil this demand proper amplification is required. Hybrid Optical Amplifier made a remarkable change in present optical networks in order to amplify the signals for better performance of a system. In this paper, we have proposed the different configurations of hybrid optical amplifiers for better performance of Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) systems. This paper also provides a crucial insight into the performance of different configurations of hybrid optical amplifiers (such as EDFA–Raman, EDFA–EDFA and SOA–EDFA) at 10 Gbps in WDM systems with 0.4 and 0.8 nm channel spacing. Work capacities of the systems were compared on the basis of various parameters viz., fiber length, dispersion, bit error rate, quality factor, eye diagram and output power. Attempts were taken to design 8 × 10 Gbps Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed system with reduced channel spacing and 16 × 10 Gbps WDM system with 100 GHz channel spacing. It was assessed that for WDM system with 16 inputs and channel spacing of 0.8 nm, Raman–EDFA configuration gives better results as compared to EDFA–EDFA and SOA–EDFA configurations. Further, it was observed that SOA–EDFA configuration with reduced channel spacing (0.4 nm) provided maximum output power and better eye opening with lowest BER at a distance of 100 km. Moreover, it was seen that with increase in channel dispersion from 2 to 8 ps/nm/km, the quality of the signal started decreasing.

Performance optimization of hybrid optical amplifier for dense wavelength division multiplexed system

Today’s high capacity dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems required the flattened gain spectra with large gain bandwidth. This required properly broadening the gain bandwidth of the optical amplifiers with proper amplification of the signals. In order to achieve this, a competent flat gain hybrid optical amplifier is demonstrated that comprised of a erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) and Raman amplifier with multi-wavelength backward pumping scheme. Attempts were done in order to design a (E-R) hybrid optical amplifier (HOA) for 16 channels, 20 Gbps DWDM systems at reduced channel spacing of 0.2 nm and also compared with conventional amplifiers. The performance of the system is evaluated on the behalf of different parameters viz. gain, noise figure, output power, Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR). Numerous parameters of EDFA and Raman amplifiers are optimize to find the gain spectrum of E-R HOA. It is found that E-R HOA provides better gain uniformity with noise figure less than 5 dB. It is also found that for wavelength range 1553.13–1556.15 nm, a uniform gain of 38.85 dB is achieved for input power of “0” dB with noise figure variation of 0.29 dB without using any gain flattering scheme. The output power and OSNR of all the channels is measured at 0 dBm input power and found maximum power and SNR at 1556.15 nm channel frequency is 26.44 dBm and 40.71 dB respectively.

Modelling site amplification effects for eastern Cuba

The expected soil amplification has been computed for eastern Cuba considering two combined methods: a geological approach, based on the soil classification (actually two alternative methods: from surficial geology and deep lithology), and a geotechnical method, based on 1D modelling. Based on the regional geological maps, soil category maps and regional geological profiles, 45 geological models (26 for rock and 19 for surficial deposits) have been established for the entire study region. Adding the information from deep borehole data, 36 geotechnical models have been identified to represent the 19 surficial deposits in the study region, plus one for rock. In fact, after a preliminary soil characterization based only on surficial geology, the mechanical properties and thickness of the different layers within the first 30 m have been considered as main geological characteristics to identify the soil class and the related V S30 , according to the NEHRP provisions, and the related proper amplification factors (AFs) have been derived. In addition, 1D soil modelling has been performed to obtain soil AFs in the homogeneous sectors in which the study region has been partitioned. A comparison performed between the AFs calculated by modelling and those estimated in agreement with the NEHRP provisions has shown quite large differences. These results, although not representing a substitution for a real microzonation study, can be useful in improving seismic hazard estimates for a general seismic risk quantification, urban planning, and seismic code updating.

Genomic DNA Extraction Protocol for Artemisia Annua L. Without Using Liquid Nitrogen and Phenol

Artemisia annua is an important medicinal plant, used for curing various diseases especially malaria. It secretes verities of secondary metabolites which hinders in the DNA extraction. This investigation describes an efficient DNA extraction protocol for A. annua based upon the Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) extraction method without using hazardous chemicals i.e. liquid nitrogen and phenol. The developed protocol is simple, reliable and operative in normal laboratory condition yielding intact DNA having good quantity (502.7 to 1288.5 ng/µl) and quality (A260/280 ratio - 1.82 to 1.85) in two working days. Proper amplification of extracted DNA indicates its suitability for the various molecular biological applications. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(4): 448-451

94 FEASIBILITY OF WHOLE-GENOME AMPLIFICATION OF LYSED CELLS FROM EMBRYO BIOPSIES FOR PRE-IMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis has created the ability for embryos to be screened before transfer into the uterus, but there is only a very small quantity of genomic DNA in biopsy material from early embryos. Using a whole-genome amplification (WGA) procedure in conjunction with marker-assisted selection provides the ability to scan the entire genome and screen multiple genetic traits, allowing producers to determine the genetic value of the embryos and select ones with high performing traits. Current WGA protocols use purified DNA, but it is impractical to do DNA purification on an embryo biopsy and typical lysis buffers contain sodium dodecyl sulfate, which is inhibitory to amplification. The objective of this study was to use WGA and PCR to determine the feasibility of amplifying target genes in lysed bovine fibroblast cells at a level appropriate from embryo biopsies for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. To ensure that WGA is representative of the entire genome and that there is no bias present, bovine fibroblast cells were first tested to determine the consistency and viability of amplification without DNA purification from a cell number appropriate for cell biopsy. Fibroblast cells were cultured in DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum at a dilution level of ~1000 cells, and then aliquots of a single cell suspension of 2 to 10 cells were created to represent biopsy levels. Five target genes were tested: adiponectin, calpain, calpastatin, growth hormone 1, and leptin. Using cultured cells, it was determined that a crude lysis procedure using boiling water, in addition to performing single cell amplification, and nested PCR were most successful in amplifying the target genes. Two to four aliquots from 6 different lysed bovine embryos were tested for proper amplification using REPLI-g Single Cell Whole Genome Amplification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA) followed by nested PCR using primers of target genes created via GenBank. The DNA was quantified using a spectrophotometer before and after amplification. Originally, the starting DNA was diluted to a median of 4.0 ng μL−1, yielding an average of 466.6 ± 61.4 ng μL−1. To increase the yield, the DNA was then diluted to 9.5 ng μL−1. After performing WGA, the yield was 3047.4 ± 191.4 ng μL−1, amplifying the DNA at a rate of ~16 μg per 50 μL reaction. To determine whether amplification of the target genes was successful, PCR material was run on a 2% agarose gel using gel electrophoresis and results were analysed under UV light using ChemiDoc XRS (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA) image analysis. Eleven out of 16 aliquots (68.75%) successfully amplified all 5 target genes. The remaining 5 aliquots resulted in partial amplification, amplifying either 3 or 4 out of the 5 target genes. In conclusion, using a whole genome amplification procedure in conjunction with crude lysis and nested PCR on embryos provides a sufficient quantity of genomic DNA for use in amplification of target genes for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to determine improved productivity in the calf before implantation.

First Report of the Southern Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on the Invasive Weed Araujia sericifera in Italy.

Moth plant, Araujia sericifera, is native to South America and was exported to many other countries as an ornamental plant. However, it is now considered an invasive, perennial, noxious weed in Italy. Because of the ability of this plant to spread rapidly and invade natural ecosystems, A. sericifera has been included on the Alert list by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). In September 2013, numerous plants of A. sericifera with chlorotic leaves and large root-galls were observed in agricultural fields, gardens, and uncultivated locations in Nocera Inferiore, Salerno Province, Italy. Ten samples were collected from a vegetable farm (40°45'40.8″ N, 14°38'18.4″ E) and nematodes were extracted from soil and root samples using standard procedures (1). Meloidogyne sp. was found in all soil and root samples, with nematode population densities ranging from 420 to 1,270 eggs and J2s/10 cm3 of soil and 84 to 2,200 eggs and J2s/5 g of fresh roots. The morphological identification of the nematode was based on characterization of second-stage juveniles (J2s), males, eggs, and females (2). Measurements of J2s (n = 30) include: mean body length (L) = 403 ± 3.7 μm; L/maximum body width = 27.5 ± 0.3; L/esophageal length = 6.2 ± 0.1; stylet length = 12.8 ± 0.1 μm; L/tail length = 9.5 ± 0.1; tail length = 42.5 ± 0.3 μm. Males (n = 10): L = 1,491 ± 0.04 μm; L/maximum body width = 44.4 ± 0.8; L/esophageal length = 16.1 ± 0.3; stylet length = 22.1 ± 0.7 μm; spicules length = 30.1 ± 0.8 μm. Eggs (n = 30): length = 96.6 ± 1 μm; width = 45.1 ± 0.5 μm; length/width ratio = 2.1. Females (n = 20): L = 909.5 ± 38.4 μm; body width = 588.3 ± 19.3 μm; stylet length = 17.0 ± 0.2 μm. Perineal patterns of females had a high dorsal arch with wavy striae bending toward the lateral lines and the absence of distinct lateral line incisures. All measurements conformed to the description of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood 1949. DNA was extracted from five individual adult females from each sample and morphological identification was confirmed by a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR)-PCR technique using species-specific primers. The amplified product obtained was 1.2 kb in length, demonstrating proper amplification of the species-specific, length variant SCAR marker (3). Weeds are known to serve as hosts for nematodes in the absence of crop plants and to affect the success of nematode management programs. Meloidogyne spp. have been reported to survive and even thrive on weeds; among them, M. incognita is considered the most economically important agricultural nematode pest worldwide as it causes severe yield losses on many hosts. Thus, the invasive plant A. sericifera can be a potential reservoir for M. incognita in Italy and elsewhere. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. incognita parasitizing A. sericifera.