La flecha de Villanueva en Caracas

Winter is a challenging time to survive and breed outside of the tropics. Animals use day length (photoperiod) to regulate seasonally appropriate adaptations in anticipation of challenging winter conditions. The net result of these photoperiod-mediated adjustments is enhanced immune function and increased survival. Thus, the ability to discriminate day length information is critical for survival and reproduction in small animals. However, during the past century, urban and suburban development has rapidly expanded and filled the night sky with light from various sources, obscuring crucial light-dark signals, which alters physiological interpretation of day lengths. Furthermore, reduced space, increased proximity to people, and the presence of light at night may act as stressors for small animals. Whereas acute stressors typically enhance immune responses, chronic exposure to stressors often impairs immune responses. Therefore, we hypothesized that the combination of dim light at night and chronic stress interferes with enhanced cell-mediated immunity observed during short days. Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were assigned to short or long days with dark nights (0 lux) or dim (5 lux) light at night for 10 weeks. Following 2 weeks of chronic restraint (6 hr/day), a model of chronic stress, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were assessed. Both dim light at night and restraint reduced the DTH response. Dim light at night during long nights produced an intermediate short day phenotype. These results suggest the constant presence of light at night could negatively affect survival of photoperiodic rodents by disrupting the timing of breeding and immune responses.

For a developing country with monument, how to balance urban development and historical buildings protection in the process of urbanization is a key issue worthy of exploration. Xi’an Bell Tower, located in Xi’an city, Shaanxi province, China, is representative of Chinese historic buildings. Aiming at investigating the public’s visual impact assessment of this representative historic building as well as its surrounding urban landscapes, this study chose one newly built high-rise building in the surroundings of Xi’an Bell Tower as research object and set its height, top, and color as the physical properties; meanwhile, the height limit data in the current government regulations were set as the reference object of height. Simulation experiments were conducted to respondents of different demographic characteristics, randomly selected around the Bell Tower, and the statistical data collected, including the sorces rated by interviewers and the demographic characteristics of the interviewers, were analyzed. The results indicate that the height, top, and color of the newly built high-rise building all are influence factors for the public’s visual impact assessment of Xi’an Bell Tower; people of different demographic characteristics assess this historic district landscape differently. This study could be of valuable reference for the future planning of historic buildings’ surroundings.

Light pollution is increasingly affecting biodiversity and may also disrupt seasonal adaptations. Even dim artificial light, such as skyglow—which can spread far beyond urban areas—can interfere with using photoperiod as a seasonal cue. Here, we test how light pollution impacts diapause induction and whether urban evolution counteracts it, by using common‐garden experiments with a common, widespread geometrid moth (Chiasmia clathrata). We raised offspring from urban and rural populations from North‐ and Mid‐European countries in treatments with and without dim light at night. The dim light treatment strongly increased direct development overall—with no evidence for urban adaptation to it—but distinctly more so in Mid‐ than in North‐European populations. Because diapause induction is critical for surviving winter, these results indicate that dim but widespread light pollution may have detrimental effects on insect populations, especially so at mid‐latitudes, and may hence explain part of the ongoing, large‐scale insect declines globally. Synthesis and applications. Latitudinal variation in sensitivity to light pollution means that its contribution to insect declines—and its conservation importance—should likewise vary among regions. In mid‐latitude regions, where populations seem more sensitive to light pollution, mitigating light pollution should be a high priority for insect conservation. Reducing skyglow from cities should benefit both urban populations—which were just as susceptible as rural populations in our study—and rural populations—because skyglow extends far beyond the geographic boundaries of cities.

Higher-order representation (‘HOR’) theories of conscious awareness are under considerable suspicion. (Following recent usage, I shall use the term ‘HOR’ to cover both higher-order perception or ‘inner sense’ accounts such as Armstrong’s (1981) or mine (1987, 1995) and ‘higher-order thought’ views such as David Rosenthal’s (1993).) HOR theories have been variously said to be extravagant, unmotivated, confused, and worse; for a sample, see Dretske 1993, Guzeldere 1997, and Siewert 1998. Yet there is a simple deductive argument for the conclusion that some HOR theory is correct. The argument is valid and each of its premisses is widely accepted. First, the explanandum. HOR theories are theories of conscious awareness, specifically in the sense of: awareness of one’s own current mental state. They are, correlatively, theories of ‘conscious states’, in the sense of states whose subjects are aware of being in them.1 Mental or psychological states divide into those whose subjects are aware of being in them and those whose subjects are not aware of being in them; HOR theories attempt to explain that difference, by supposing that what makes a state a conscious state in this sense is that it is itself represented by another of the subject’s mental states, either a quasi-perceptual state or a thought. (Some critics have supposed that HOR theories have been aimed at other explananda, in particular at the sensory qualities; the critics have expressed understandable incredulity at the idea that a mere higher-order thought or even a higher-order quasi-perception could explain the original qualitative character of a sensory state. But I know of no HOR theorist who has claimed to explain anything but awareness in the sense specified above – certainly not Armstrong, myself, or Rosenthal.2) Now, here is the argument.

Quality is the consumer’s expectation that a product will adequately and acceptably meet a need. Thus, the food industry must guarantee 100% product quality, as any lower level of quality could jeopardize safety and the opportunity for customer loyalty. An example of this is the quality control of cocoa, a food product with high consumption potential and a wide range of derived products in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. This increasing demand has led to various initiatives to increase the production of special cocoa based on its origin or quality. With this in mind, this book presents five chapters designed to help readers acquire or reinforce their knowledge about cocoa quality in a simple way. It starts with general information about cocoa and explores three critical aspects of any food product: its physical, chemical, and sensory quality. The post-harvest process is also discussed, as it has a significant impact on the final quality of cocoa beans for producing table chocolate, fine chocolate, and confectionery. It also examines key issues in the physical assessment of dried cocoa beans during marketing. Additionally, the book explains sensory quality evaluation as a food science and provides guidance for the development of objective final quality ratings of cocoa liquor obtained from dried cocoa beans. The authors hope that you enjoy this book and that it will contribute to the development of the cocoa-producing sector. We look forward to a future publication on the exciting topic of transforming dry cocoa beans.

This study deals with the architectural features, typological diversity and sustainability of the historical Syriac churches in the rural areas of Mardin province in southeastern Turkey. Mardin countryside, which bears the traces of different civilisations starting from the pre-Christian period, is of great importance especially for the architectural and cultural heritage of the Syriac Orthodox community. Within the scope of the research, 61 churches and monasteries, most of which were built between the 4th and 9th centuries, were examined in detail, preserving their original structural features and survey drawings of these buildings were created. In this context, a typological classification of the churches and monasteries (monastery churches) in rural Mardin was conducted, identifying three main plan types: single nave village churches oriented along the east-west axis, multi-nave churches and monastery-type churches oriented along the north-south axis. Important architectural elements of these buildings, such as Kduskudshin, doors, windows and bell towers, were analysed in detail and their impact on the original character of the buildings was studied. The results of the study indicate that the preservation of Syriac religious buildings in rural Mardin is crucial not only for the conservation of these buildings but also for ensuring the continuity of the multi-layered cultural heritage of the region.

The increasing use of artificial light at night has led to ecosystem exposure to light pollution worldwide. Aquatic ecosystems are particularly exposed, since lit road networks, urban development and industrial infrastructure are frequently located along river, lake, and sea shores. Although the negative effects of night‐time lighting on the physiology, behaviour, and life‐history traits of animals have been largely documented, there is a large knowledge gap about the responses of plants, especially regarding leaf functioning and resource‐management strategies. Some authors have proposed contrasting hypotheses of mechanistic responses to dim light at night in plants, but empirical results are still lacking. Based on field measurements of nocturnal irradiance in freshwater ecosystems located in peri‐urban areas, we performed a mesocosm experiment using three species of submerged aquatic plants. After 5 months of exposure to realistic dim light at night, four functional traits related to the resource management at the leaf level were measured. Artificial light at night had significant effects on the leaf physiology or chemistry, affecting their resource acquisition rate, but with different response intensities depending on the species. No effect was found on morphological or biomechanical traits for any of the studied species. These results support the hypothesis that plants could interpret dim light at night as a shaded environment and respond accordingly. We demonstrated that the effects of light at night on plants may have been underestimated in previous work. By modifying biotic interactions (e.g., competition and herbivory), these responses can have profound effects on community structure and ecosystem functioning.

This article highlights the history of construction the most ancient in the Belgorod region Russian Orthodox Uspensko-Nicholas Cathedral, which has survived to the present day. Bibliographic information relating to the history and time of church construction, erected in the era of Moscow baroque – a new style in the architecture of Moscow region of the late XVII – early XVIII centuries, is given. This style is characterized by consistency in the mass ratio, the pomp of white-stone decor, in which the ornamental and order elements of Western European baroque –- cartouches, “torn” pediments, columns and pilasters with plant capitals – are peculiarly interpreted. 
 The location of the Cathedral is described. It is built in the former residential settlement Zhiloy, located to the west of Belgorod, constructed according to the general plan of 1768 by architect A.V. Kvasov after the fire of 1766. In addition, the modern urban situation of the cathedral’s location in the structure of modern urban development is presented. Historical planning frame is considered.
 The space-planning and space-spatial solution of the cathedral church in historical chronology, as well as constructive solutions of the cathedral’s octagon on cube, bell tower and two-column refectory, built in the first half of the XIX century, the decorative design of the facades and interiors are analyzed.
 The main construction stages of the church from its creation to the restoration works carried out in 2005 are considered. Strengthening and restoration on the preservation of cultural heritage are described. Cartographic material, plans building at different construction stages, archival and modern photographs of the exteriors and interiors, both during and after the restoration process, are given.

Urban buildings often disconnect occupants from nature, primarily due to the increasing scarcity of land. Many urban planners prioritize economic value, favoring built structures over green spaces, as buildings can accommodate various activities. This disconnection negatively impacts occupants' psychological well-being, depriving them of spaces to relieve stress and fatigue, which can ultimately reduce productivity. To address this issue, the design of office and automotive centers on Basuki Rahmat Street, a high-density area in Surabaya, is proposed to promote an environmentally friendly approach while also addressing the challenges of typical urban development and enhancing the surrounding business district. By applying biophilic design principles, the building aims to foster a strong connection with nature. This strategy not only challenges conventional urban development patterns but also strengthens the district's sustainability and livability. The automotive-related function of the site can be preserved and integrated with natural elements, creating a dynamic and interactive space. This fusion offers occupants a new way to engage with their surroundings while maintaining the site's original character. Additionally, the building is designed with flexible spaces to accommodate the evolving needs of modern urban areas. Ultimately, this project seeks to redefine the relationship between architecture and nature in dense urban settings, offering a sustainable and human-centered solution to the challenges of urbanization.

Growth of a city, which is linked with intensive urban development, systematically affects groundwater recharge by diminishing its rate. Thus, the phenomenon influences groundwater resources in a hydrogeological unit and, in turn, it causes negative environmental consequences which are difficult or even impossible to reverse. This study analyses the effect of urban development on water budget and its impact on the water-dependent ecosystem. In 1959, a peat bog nature reserve – the Żurawiniec Nature Reserve – was established in the north of Poznań, covering an area of ca. 1.5 ha. During many years the area was losing its original character, which resulted in desiccation and complete deterioration of peatland plants. The analysis of water budget reduction was done through the integration of a spatially distributed water balance model and a numerical hydrogeological model. The simulations were based on data collected for the years 1952, 2001 and 2014. The results of simulations emphasize the significant human impact on groundwater budget leading to a continuous groundwater level dropdown, resulting in over 2 m lower groundwater level in year 2001 in relation to year 1952. The main reason for negative repercussion was a constant decrease of groundwater recharge due to urbanization.

Leaving the City: Artist Villages in Beijing

This paper examines the emergence of China’s ‘university cities’ ( daxuecheng) as a governmental strategy to modernise higher education and to promote its socio-economic integration. To the disappointment of policy makers, the model of university cities has largely failed to yield satisfactory educational outcomes and economic productivity. Drawing from ethnographic research at the Higher Education Mega Center (HEMC) in the suburb of Guangzhou City, this paper analyses the characteristics and problems of China’s university cities. It discusses how various disjunctures between planners’ visions and students’ everyday experiences undermine the missions of university cities: Universities intended to reinforce the reputation and growth potential of cities overestimated the need for such facilities; students rejected the vision of isolated education enclaves as a style of living; and productive connections with research and development sectors were not realised.

In 2015, the central government of India added a new dimension to urbanisation and urban development policy and introduced the concept of smart cities. In the beginning, the concept was not elaborated, and questions arose such as: What does inclusive development of the selected cities mean? Could they correct the spatial and structural imbalance of urban development in India? The government took almost a year to define smart cities and identify about 100 such smart cities for integrated urban development. To start with, only 20 such cities were taken up for planning and development in 2016. Independent India inherited a spatially and structurally imbalanced urban development dominated by large cities (metropolises, megacities, etc.); there was a lack of small and medium-sized towns. To achieve a balanced urban development, in 1974, the government introduced the concept of integrated development of small and medium-sized towns so as to reorient the rural–urban migration away from large-size cities. The policy continues even now but has had limited success in urban development. In the 1980s, the Urbanisation Commission suggested the development of selected urban areas that had potential for development. However, large-sized cities grew unabatingly and migration towards the metropolitan cities continued. Because of the weak economic base, small and medium-sized towns could not keep pace with the urbanisation process. The latest population Census of India (Provisional population totals, Paper-2, Vol 1 Rural-urban distribution, India, 2011) analysed the urbanisation pattern in the country. It shows that India has achieved a 31.16% level of urbanisation with an annual growth rate of 2.76%. There are 7,935 urban areas with an urban population of 377.1 million and 466 cities having a population of more than a hundred thousand (100,000). The urbanisation pattern in India has been supported by the development of the tertiary sector of the economy rather than backed by commensurate economic growth. In 2011, about ten megacities dominated the urban structure, accounting for more than 20% of urban population while the share of the small and medium-sized towns remained low. Urban growth has shifted spatially from metropolitan cities (megacities) to peripheral urban areas with rapid horizontal expansion of the metropolitan areas (urban fringes). Whether this urbanisation trend could be regulated is an open question. The role of smart cities in urban development has been examined in the context of their sustainability, inclusive growth and aspiration of the citizen.

BackgroundThere is growing evidence that exposure to unhealthy urban environments increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness), with marginalised communities bearing the greatest burden. However, to date, evidence alone has not been sufficient to make health a top priority in the development of urban environments.MethodsThe aim of this study was to develop and optimise an intervention to increase the intention to act on health and health inequalities by private sector professionals working in urban development, with a focus on consultants and developers. The ‘Changing Mindsets’ intervention was developed through an iterative co-production process using the Person-Based Approach method, drawing on evidence and a novel theoretical framework.ResultsIntervention development consisted of three stages. Stage 1 involved the collation of theory and evidence, which included the development of a novel theoretical framework, primary mixed methods research and stakeholder engagement. Stage 2 was the intervention modelling phase, where the findings from Stage 1 were integrated through the guiding principles and behavioural analysis tables, which informed the logic model. Stage 3 involved iterative intervention optimisation with members of the target population. The intervention was comprised of two elements: 1) An intervention session consisting of a presentation with group discussion presented by one of the two industry partners working in the private sector of urban development, and 2) A website signposting to tools and resources, networks to support prioritising and integrating health into urban development, and examples of how other organisations have done so.ConclusionsWe have provided insights into how complex interdisciplinary theory can be combined with evidence of the target group’s needs, issues and challenges using established methodology from the Person-Based Approach and behavioural science. Changing Mindsets is currently being evaluated for its effectiveness and acceptability in the target population. Subsequent to this, there are plans to adapt the intervention to increase the intention to act on other social issues and for other populations.Trial registrationISRCTN12310546 registered on the 30 th March 2021.

Abstract: Urban development often leads to uncoordinated land use patterns as neighborhoods face growing demand for commercial spaces, causing them to lose their original local character. This study examines the conversion of residential properties to commercial uses, focusing on the extent of these changes and their influencing factors. The research utilized a survey design, collecting data through structured questionnaires from 86 commercial property owners/occupants and 45 Estate Surveying and Valuation firms. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as weighted mean scores, least square regression, the Mann Whitney U test, and factor analysis, were employed to analyze the data. The drift schedules (rise or reduction) in the number of properties changed/modified between 2014 and 2022, showed a significant progression in property modifications through a linear trend analysis using least square regression models, with R² values of 0.1927 and 0.4102. The Mann Whitney U test revealed significant differences in opinions on factors driving property changes: planning regulations (p=0.001), use of complementary infrastructure (p=0.033), traffic jams (p=0.000), desire to maximize profits (p=0.000), commercial space demand (p=0.014), and investment potential (p=0.000). Factor analysis (chi-square=1618.722, p≤0.000) identified four primary components: demand, business, commercial agglomeration and planning regulations; property upgrades and governmental factors; supply, demand and increased economic activities; and accessibility and investment maximization. Recommendations include revising land use strategies to enforce stricter controls aligned with master plans, retrofitting existing properties for enhanced energy efficiency and occupant satisfaction, thereby meeting the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, and; substantially reducing the need for the change of use.