Thermal comfort and perceptions of the ecosystem services and disservices of urban trees in florence

Modern urban lifestyles have most likely generated a loss of awareness of the bio-cultural benefits derived from the presence of trees and forests in cities. The present study aimed at understanding the level of awareness and the ability to express significant relationships, both positive and negative, on ecosystem services and disservices by the citizens of a Mediterranean city where thermal comfort during the summer period can be particularly problematic. A questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions was disseminated to citizens of Florence, Italy. The open questions allowed respondents space to describe what they perceive are the benefits and disbenefits of urban trees. Meanwhile, geospatial and climate data were processed in order to check the vegetation and microclimate conditions of the city areas where the 592 respondents live. The vast majority of respondents felt Florence is unbearably hot in summer with 93% agreeing the city needs more trees, and shaded places were perceived as the most important feature of urban green space. The results reveal many positive and negative associations to different species of trees and bring out a rich mosaic of perceptions towards urban green spaces and the features they contain. People are generally aware of a wide range of the benefits trees provide to communities and a good knowledge of the microclimate modification properties was revealed. Many of the popular public tree genera in the city, such as Tilia, Platanus and Pinus were favoured by residents however there was some overlap with trees that provoke negative experiences, and this information can be useful to city planners aiming to maximise ecosystem services and minimise ecosystem disservices

Urban particulate pollution reduction by four species of green roof vegetation in a UK city

AbstractUrban particulate pollution in the UK remains at levels which have the potential to cause negative impacts on human health. There is a need, therefore, for mitigation strategies within cities, especially with regards to vehicular sources. The use of vegetation as a passive filter of urban air has been previously investigated, however green roof vegetation has not been specifically considered. The present study aims to quantify the effectiveness of four green roof species – creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), red fescue (Festuca rubra), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and sedum (Sedum album) – at capturing particulate matter smaller than 10 μm (PM10). Plants were grown in a location away from major road sources of PM10 and transplanted onto two roofs in Manchester city centre. One roof is adjacent to a major traffic source and one roof is characterised more by urban background inputs. Significant differences in metal containing PM10 capture were found between sites and between species. Site differences were explained by proximity to major sources. Species differences arise from differences in macro and micro morphology of the above surface biomass. The study finds that the grasses, A. stolonifera and F. rubra, are more effective than P. lanceolata and S. album at PM10 capture. Quantification of the annual PM10 removal potential was calculated under a maximum sedum green roof installation scenario for an area of the city centre, which totals 325 ha. Remediation of 2.3% (±0.1%) of 9.18 tonnes PM10 inputs for this area could be achieved under this scenario

Sport and exercise participation: motivation and barriers

Includes bibliographical references.Proceedings of the Sport Psychology Conference organised by the Centre for Physical Education and Sport, and the Physical Education and Sports Science Unit of the University of Hong Kong ; sponsored by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board.published_or_final_versionMotivation and the belief system Chan, Chin-ming, Roy Chan, Chin-ming, Roy 55Participation in sport and physical activity Seefeldt, Vern D. Seefeldt, Vern D. 1Participation in sport by students entering the University of Hong Kong: results of a survey undertaken in September 1993 Speak, Mike Speak, Mike Lindner, Koenraad Lindner, Koenraad Li, Daniel Li, Daniel 3Sports activities and the use of sports facilities in Hong Kong Sivan, Atara Sivan, Atara Robertson, Robert W. Robertson, Robert W. 19Factor impacting upon youth sport participation Shuttleworth, John Shuttleworth, John 25Factors affecting withdrawal reasons in youth sport Lindner, Koernaad Lindner, Koernaad Butcher, Janice Butcher, Janice Johns, David Johns, David 43Introduction to the conference Wells, Howard J. Wells, Howard J. viAnalyzing thought patterns in relation to sport performance and motivation McGill, J.O. Lewis McGill, J.O. Lewis 61The social-cognitive approach to motivation: practical implications for coaches and physical educators (abstract) Leahey, Trisha Leahey, Trisha 75Editor's note Lindner, K.J. Lindner, K.J. Speak, M.A. Speak, M.A. iiiConference contributors

Defective platelet function in Niemann-Pick disease type C1

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in either NPC1 (95% of cases) or NPC2. Reduced late endosome/lysosome calcium (Ca2+) levels and the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and sphingolipids within the late endocytic system characterize this disease. We previously reported impaired lysosome-related organelle (LRO) function in Npc1−/− Natural Killer cells; however, the potential contribution of impaired acid compartment Ca2+ flux and LRO function in other cell types has not been determined. Here, we investigated LRO function in NPC1 disease platelets. We found elevated numbers of circulating platelets, impaired platelet aggregation and prolonged bleeding times in a murine model of NPC1 disease. Electron microscopy revealed abnormal ultrastructure in murine platelets, consistent with that seen in a U18666A (pharmacological inhibitor of NPC1) treated megakaryocyte cell line (MEG-01) exhibiting lipid storage and acidic compartment Ca2+ flux defects. Furthermore, platelets from NPC1 patients across different ages were found to cluster at the lower end of the normal range when platelet numbers were measured and had platelet volumes that were clustered at the top of the normal range. Taken together, these findings highlight the role of acid compartment Ca2+ flux in the function of platelet LROs

On-line solid phase microextraction derivatization for the sensitive determination of multi-oxygenated volatile compounds in air

Multi-oxygenated volatile organic compounds are important markers of air pollution and precursors of ozone and secondary aerosols in both polluted and remote environments. Herein, their accurate determination was enhanced. The approach was based on an automated system for active sampling and on-fibre derivatization coupled with the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique. The method capability was determined for different compound families, such as aldehydes, ketones, α-dicarbonyls, hydroxy-aldehydes, hydroxy-ketones, and carboxylic acids. A good accuracy (<7 %) was demonstrated from the results compared to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Limits of detection (LODs) of 6–100 pptV were achieved with a time resolution lower than 20 min. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of multi-oxygenated compounds in air samples collected during an intercomparison campaign (EUROCHAMP-2020 project). Also, its capability and accuracy for atmospheric monitoring was demonstrated in an isoprene ozonolysis experiment. Both were carried out in the high-volume outdoor atmospheric simulation chambers (EUPHORE, 200 m3). In summary, our developed technique offers near-real-time monitoring with direct sampling, which is an advantage in terms of handling and labour time for a proper quantification of trace levels of atmospheric multi-oxygenated compounds

Gray platelet syndrome: proinflammatory megakaryocytes and α-granule loss cause myelofibrosis and confer metastasis resistance in mice.

NBEAL2 encodes a multidomain scaffolding protein with a putative role in granule ontogeny in human platelets. Mutations in NBEAL2 underlie gray platelet syndrome (GPS), a rare inherited bleeding disorder characterized by a lack of α-granules within blood platelets and progressive bone marrow fibrosis. We present here a novel Nbeal2(-/-) murine model of GPS and demonstrate that the lack of α-granules is due to their loss from platelets/mature megakaryocytes (MKs), and not by initial impaired formation. We show that the lack of Nbeal2 confers a proinflammatory phenotype to the bone marrow MKs, which in combination with the loss of proteins from α-granules drives the development of bone marrow fibrosis. In addition, we demonstrate that α-granule deficiency impairs platelet function beyond their purely hemostatic role and that Nbeal2 deficiency has a protective effect against cancer metastasis.This work was funded by the British Heart Foundation to CG (FS09/039) and WHO and AR (RG/09/12/28096); NHSBT to CB and HM; Wellcome Trust (WT098051) to ZM, ELC, JE, HWJ and AOS.This is the accepted manuscript. The final published version is available from Blood at http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/early/2014/09/25/blood-2014-04-566760