UTCI field measurements in an urban park in Florence (Italy)

The aim of this study is to evaluate human thermal comfort in different green area settings in the city of Florence by using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Field measurements of air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and black globe thermometer were collected during hot summer days in various parts of Cascine Park, the biggest urban park in Florence (Italy). UTCI was evaluated over different surfaces (asphalt, gravel and grass) completely exposed to the sun or shaded by a large lime tree (Tilia × europaea). The results showed strong differences in UTCI values depending on the exposure to tree shade, while no significant difference was found among ground-cover materials when all surfaces were equally exposed to solar radiation. Future studies are needed to investigate the microclimatic effects of different tree species on UTCI

A glossary for biometeorology

Here we present, for the first time, a glossary of biometeorological terms. The glossary aims to address the need for a reliable source of biometeorological definitions, thereby facilitating communication and mutual understanding in this rapidly expanding field. A total of 171 terms are defined, with reference to 234 citations. It is anticipated that the glossary will be revisited in coming years, updating terms and adding new terms, as appropriate. The glossary is intended to provide a useful resource to the biometeorology community, and to this end, readers are encouraged to contact the lead author to suggest additional terms for inclusion in later versions of the glossary as a result of new and emerging developments in the field

UTCI field measurements in an urban park in Florence (Italy)

The aim of this study is to evaluate human thermal comfort in different green area settings in the city of Florence by using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Field measurements of air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and black globe thermometer were collected during hot summer days in various parts of Cascine Park, the biggest urban park in Florence (Italy). UTCI was evaluated over different surfaces (asphalt, gravel and grass) completely exposed to the sun or shaded by a large lime tree (Tilia × europaea). The results showed strong differences in UTCI values depending on the exposure to tree shade, while no significant difference was found among ground-cover materials when all surfaces were equally exposed to solar radiation. Future studies are needed to investigate the microclimatic effects of different tree species on UTCI

Modelling the effect of urban design on thermal comfort and air quality: The SMARTUrban Project

More than half of the world population lives nowadays in urban areas and that\u2019s the reason why the quality of the urban environment has become a key issue for human health. In this context, it is important to estimate and document any action that contributes to improving thermal comfort and air quality. The aim of this paper is to present a system for the design of urban spaces developed in the framework of the SMARTUrban project. Such a system aims at giving a strategic tool to administrators and design professionals for sustainable management and urban planning. SMARTUrban is a prototype of an urban space design software that estimates the effect of design modification or of new design on thermal comfort, carbon sequestration and air pollutant removal

HIGH RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF 1-(1-NAPHTHYL) ETHYLAMINE IN S0S_{0} AND S1S_{1}: EXPLORING THE DEPENDENCE OF CIRCULAR DICHROISM ON CONFORMATIONAL STRUCTURE

Author Institution: Optical Technology Division, National Institute of TechnologyClassical and/or quantum mechanical models developed for isolated molecules are commonly used to extract structural information from optical activity measurements dispite the lack of experimental data for validation of these models. Rotationally-resolved gas phase spectra of the prototypical chiral molecule, 1-(1-Naphthyl) ethylamine (NEA), and its amine deuterated forms have been obtained in the microwave and ultraviolet regions to provide such data. The results of the microwave study indicate that only one conformational form exists under jet-cooled conditions. The substituted atom positions and dipole moment orientation are used to identify the structural configuration of the attached chiral group from amoung nine possible ab initio forms ($B3LYP/6-31G^{\ast}$). The $S_{1}$ inertial parameters and transition moment orientation from the UV data of the band origin at 314 nm have been used to test excited state predictions from ab initio models. CD spectra have also been calculated for the four lowest energy conformations and compared with the observed CD spectrum of (S)-NEA in cyclohexane. These results provide rigorous benchmark data and further elucidate the importance of conformational structure for determinations of absolute stereochemistry from CD spectra. The current progress on gas phase CD measurements will also be discussed