Luminescence characteristics of quartz from Brazilian sediments and constraints for OSL dating

This study analyzes the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) characteristics of quartz grains from fluvial, eolian and shallow marine sands of northeastern and southeastern Brazil, with especial focus on the applicability of the single-aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) dating protocol. All analyzed Brazilian sediments presented relatively high OSL sensitivity and good behavior regarding their luminescence characteristics relevant for radiation dose estimation. However, some samples from the Lençóis Maranhenses region in northeastern Brazil showed inadequate OSL sensitivity correction, hampering the implementation of the SAR protocol and their ability to behave as a natural dosimeter. While the shallow marine and eolian samples showed a narrow and reliable dose distribution, the fluvial sample had a wide dose distribution, suggesting incomplete bleaching and natural doses estimates dependent on age models

Factors Influencing Post-disaster Reconstruction Project Management for Housing Provision in the Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestinian Territories

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Gaza Strip has suffered regular cycles of reconstruction due to systematic destruction during Israeli military operations, as in 2006, 2008–2009, 2012, and 2014. In this context of ongoing conflict this article aims to identify, rank, and discuss the most important factors influencing post-disaster reconstruction project management (PDRPM) for housing in the Gaza Strip. A set of key factors that influence PDRPM were assembled as a result of a global literature review. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the obtained data were analyzed using a relative importance index for each PDRPM factor. Findings are presented in six groups: housing approaches, organizational behavior, project funding, supply chain and logistics, communication and coordination, and PDRPM context. Findings indicate that the most significant factors that influence PDRPM for housing provision in the Gaza Strip are related to issues associated with financial resources. It is critical that sufficient funding should be available in order to allow organizations to undertake housing projects in an effective and efficient way. Joint efforts are required from international donors and local organizations in order to effectively manage financial resources with the ultimate goal of improving PDRPM for housing provision

Genetic variants associated with longitudinal changes in brain structure across the lifespan

Human brain structure changes throughout the lifespan. Altered brain growth or rates of decline are implicated in a vast range of psychiatric, developmental and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we identified common genetic variants that affect rates of brain growth or atrophy in what is, to our knowledge, the first genome-wide association meta-analysis of changes in brain morphology across the lifespan. Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging data from 15,640 individuals were used to compute rates of change for 15 brain structures. The most robustly identified genes GPR139, DACH1 and APOE are associated with metabolic processes. We demonstrate global genetic overlap with depression, schizophrenia, cognitive functioning, insomnia, height, body mass index and smoking. Gene set findings implicate both early brain development and neurodegenerative processes in the rates of brain changes. Identifying variants involved in structural brain changes may help to determine biological pathways underlying optimal and dysfunctional brain development and aging

Assessing changes in semi-natural and agricultural vegetation extent around Sorbas, south east Spain.

Spain’s membership of the European Union (EU) has brought obligations and opportunities under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP provides subsidies for the planting of tree crops, such as olives and almonds, and has resulted in the development of extensive plantations on previously abandoned and unproductive land. In semi arid Almeria, such development typically begins with mechanised clearance of the native, semi-natural vegetation, which is dumped or burned. This study uses airborne imagery from 1982, 1996 and 2001 to examine the changing status of vegetation in undeveloped areas near to the town of Sorbas in Almeria province, a region where extensive clearance for tree crops has been occurring for at least a decade. Initial estimates made from the imagery were surprising, with the density of semi natural vegetation in certain areas seeming to have increased during the five-year interval. Shrub counts made from aerial photography indicated a significantly increased shrub density in parts of the study area. Further analysis of NDVI images from the two later dates, in conjunction with detailed Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) revealed an apparently significant increase in vegetation, mainly on north, east and west facing slopes. Virtually no change was detected on south facing slopes. A series of hypotheses was assessed to account for this change. Recent climate records for the area show no significant change in rainfall patterns, although there is substantial inter-annual variation. Fire recovery was also considered, but municipality records indicate that the area has not been burnt since at least 1977, when municipal logging of detailed fire records began. Recovery of maquis/matorral vegetation is expected to be significantly quicker than this. Anecdotal evidence suggested the potential importance of changes in grazing patterns and, upon further investigation, the number of goats recorded as being grazed in the Sorbas area was found to have fallen significantly since the 1960s, despite the total for Almeria province remaining effectively the same. In an attempt to validate results from the airborne data, a set of large (15m x 15m) quadrats, initially surveyed in 1997/98 for a different project, was resurveyed in April 2003. No statistically significant change in vegetation density was detected, though this may be due to the small sample size (many quadrats could not be precisely re-located), a change in survey personnel, and the inherent subjectivity in assessing ground cover. If the apparent vegetation succession is validated and if, as suspected, the semi-natural vegetation sequesters more carbon than the agricultural crops, then the EU would appear to be subsidising the destruction of what might be a substantial European carbon sink