WCRP surface radiation budget shortwave data product description, version 1.1

Shortwave radiative fluxes which reach the Earth's surface are key elements that influence both atmospheric and oceanic circulation. The World Climate Research Program has established the Surface Radiation Budget climatology project with the ultimate goal of determining the various components of the surface radiation budget from satellite data on a global scale. This report describes the first global product that is being produced and archived as part of that effort. The interested user can obtain the monthly global data sets free of charge using e-mail procedures

Imaging spectroscopic performances for a Si based detection system

We present the imaging and spectroscopic capabilities of a system based on a single photon counting chip (PCC) bump-bonded on a Si pixel detector. The system measures the energy spectrum and the flux, produced by a standard mammographic tube. We have also made some images of low contrast details, achieving good results

Are prices of new dwellings different? A spectral analysis of UK property vintages

The work makes two contributions to Hui’s (2011) dynamic house price classification. First, a house price ripple in cycles from Modern to Older dwellings is revealed and, second, as New housing is shown to have lower volatility than the other two. Using spectral analysis, it is argued that there is a 7½-year repeat buyer-second-hand cycle and a five year, first time buyer-New housing cycle, common to three house price vintages. These cycles reinforce each other every fifteen years, which corresponds with a Minsky super-cycle in housing finance. The equity of the owner-occupier is fortified by higher house prices whereas new builds extract embedded equity from the market. Government should support builders and facilitate access to market to first time buyers and through programmes like Help-to-Buy 1. However, to address the greater price instability that should follow, Government should impose a capital gains tax on the house seller

A loss-of-function homozygous mutation in DDX59 implicates a conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase in nervous system development and function.

We report on a homozygous frameshift deletion in DDX59 (c.185del: p.Phe62fs*13) in a family presenting with orofaciodigital syndrome phenotype associated with a broad neurological involvement characterized by microcephaly, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and white matter signal abnormalities associated with cortical and subcortical ischemic events. DDX59 encodes a DEAD-box RNA helicase and its role in brain function and neurological diseases is unclear. We showed a reduction of mutant cDNA and perturbation of SHH signaling from patient-derived cell lines; furthermore, analysis of human brain gene expression provides evidence that DDX59 is enriched in oligodendrocytes and might act within pathways of leukoencephalopathies-associated genes. We also characterized the neuronal phenotype of the Drosophila model using mutant mahe, the homolog of human DDX59, and showed that mahe loss-of-function mutant embryos exhibit impaired development of peripheral and central nervous system. Taken together, our results support a conserved role of this DEAD-box RNA helicase in neurological function

Explaining spatial variation in housing construction activity in Turkey

In Turkey, there has been a strong policy narrative that has emphasized the importance of construction activity as a driver of economic growth. This has given shape to a central state-led policy regime that has sought to ensure that planners and other urban policy makers develop plans and strategies that support construction activity. Against this backdrop, and a recent history of uneven spatial development, this paper seeks to understand what this policy imperative might mean for housing construction activity in different provinces. It seeks to reflect on both the relationship between the state and the market, and the interaction between state policies, economic drivers and levels of construction activity. The evidence presented in the paper suggests that uneven spatial development might be explained in different ways in different provinces. Although, in many cases, patterns of construction activity are consistent with economic fundamentals, there are important exceptions in some regions where arguably activity levels are at odds with prior expectations

Investigating the Effects of Visual Feedback on Muscle Activity, Heart Rate, RPE, and Perceptions of Performance in Ballet Dancers

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 1056-1067, 2024. Extreme postures and imbalances in neuromuscular activity may place classical ballet dancers at higher risk of injury. Dance studio mirrors provide visual feedback by which a dancer can self-correct their body position and alignment, but have been suggested to negatively impact kinesthetic abilities and decrease performance capabilities. Thus, we investigated the effects of a mirror on muscle activity of the quadriceps, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and qualitative performance. A lack of visual feedback would increase muscle activity of the quadriceps, HR, and RPE, and decrease self-reported perception of technical quality. 10 female participants completed a single leg balance, an adagio, and a jump task twice – once in each condition. Muscle activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO), as well as HR and RPE were assessed during each combination. Qualitative performance was assessed with an exit survey. No significant differences were found between conditions for RPE or HR in all three tasks (RPE: Balance p = 0.468, Adagio p = 0.191, Jumps p = 0.769; HR: Balance p = 0.409, Adagio p = 0.424, Jumps p = 0.244). No significant differences were found between conditions/tasks for peak, mean, and RMS sEMG. Dancers significantly ranked their artistic expression lower in a non-mirror condition (p = 0.018, Cohen’s d = 0.775). No differences in muscle activity of the VMO and VL or vital signs of fatigue were found. Psychological implications of visual feedback, including dancer’s perceived decrease in artistic expression without a mirror present, should be further explored in future studies

Why Are Regulations Changed? A Parcel Analysis of Upzoning in Los Angeles

Planners, officials, and neighborhood groups often debate zoning changes, yet there is little empirical evidence explaining why zoning and other land use regulations are changed. I use logistic regression models to examine density-enabling rezoning (“upzoning”) in Los Angeles. I find that upzoning occurs where there are development opportunities combined with limited political resistance. Upzoning is most likely on well-located parcels zoned for low-intensity, nonresidential uses. Meanwhile, homeowners—and particularly homeowners with access to valuable amenities—are associated with regulatory stasis. I conclude by recommending strategies for addressing homeowners’ concerns about higher density housing

THE CHORÁ OF PATMOS (GREECE): ANALYSIS OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE, IDENTIFICATION OF RISKS AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS

Abstract. The Historic Center (Chorá) of Patmos, located in one of the Dodecanese Islands of Greece, was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1999. The morphological feature, the housing typologies and the building techniques that characterize the Chorá provide an authentic and astonishing expression of the stylistic and typological models of the vernacular architecture of the Greek islands. This paper presents part of the research carried out on the Chorá of Patmos, within the 3D Past project, funded by the European Creative Europe program. The first part illustrates the results of the research concerning the analysis of the material components of the architectural heritage of Patmos: the urban structure, the evolution of the main architectural typologies, the feature of the main building systems. The second part of the paper presents the application of the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), a tool for the management of site transformations and in particular for identifying, forecasting and evaluating the impact of potential development on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the properties. In the case of Patmos the application of HIA can provide an important contribution to manage changes and future transformations in order to preserve the cultural significance of the site and ensure its sustainable development

THE VERNACULAR HERITAGE OF GJIROKASTRA (ALBANIA): ANALYSIS OF URBAN AND CONSTRUCTIVE FEATURES, THREATS AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES

Abstract. The old town of Gjirokastra (Albania), was included in the World Heritage List in 2005 thanks to the valuable presence of several remarkable examples of Ottoman-styled houses and in the integrity of the vernacular urban landscape. The urban structure is strongly influenced by the orography of the Drino valley and its slopes where the city was founded. Stone is the building material that characterizes the paving of the streets, the walls of the buildings and the roof coverings. The wood, mostly local, was used to build the frame structure of the upper floors and the roofs, in order to provide large windows and bright interior spaces. In December 2018, as part of the activities of the 3D Past project, founded by Eu Creative Europe Programme, Italian and Albanian students took part in a workshop in Gjirokastra. Such an initiative was designed to understand the tangible and intangible components of the vernacular heritage of Gjrokastra. In a multidisciplinary approach, students, professors, researchers and local experts analysed the morphological features of the historic center, the public spaces, and the traditional building systems. Traditional instruments such as the direct survey, the on-site observation and the interviews were adopted in combination with more innovative tools such as the laser scanner and the photogrammetry. This contribution not only illustrates the results of a multi-scale analysis, but it also highlights the transformations and threats that endanger the transmission of the unique characteristics of the city to the future generations. Moreover, it deals with the conservation strategies currently in use and some possible future measures that can contribute to the sustainable safeguard and development of the site