Search

The structure of groups which are rich in normal subgroups has been investigated by several authors. Here, we prove that if a radical group G has normal deviation, which means that the set of its non-normal subgroups satisfies a very weak chain condition, then either G is a minimax group or all its subgroups are normal.

The rapid advancement of urbanization, evident in the relentless expansion of concrete jungles, poses a significant threat to the delicate balance of ecosystem services [...]

Byblos, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as one of Lebanon’s most ancient urban centers, known for its expansive green spaces. However, ongoing urbanization threatens these valuable areas. This study uses a multi-faceted approach to evaluate the structure and landscape attributes of Byblos’ urban and peri-urban forests (UPFs). Landscape canopy cover, diversity indices, forest structure, and a silhouette perceptual test were assessed across 24 streets in the city center, residential zones, and areas with heavy vehicular traffic. Findings reveal that 28% of Byblos’ canopy cover is concentrated mostly in the northeastern region. Native tree species account for 30% of the total, and a notable variation in tree diversity exists among different land-use types (Shannon diversity index (H) was 1.02 for the city center, 1.35 for residential streets, and 0.64 for vehicular areas). Additionally, a normal J-shaped distribution of tree diameters was identified across all street types. This study highlights a correlation between tree silhouettes and visual preferences, with densely spreading canopies being favored. Residential trees demonstrate the highest structural diversity and varied blossoming seasons. This research represents the first investigation into the current state of urban forestry in Byblos and offers recommendations for sustainable management and planning strategies.

Book details Willemijn Wilms Floet URBAN OASES Dutch Hofjes as Hidden Architectural Gems. nai010 publishers, 2021. ISBN 978-94-6208-660-9. € 39.95, paperback (Also available in Dutch and as e-book in English and Dutch). pp. 208, with illustrations (220 full color).

Societal Impact Statement Globally, cities are planning for resilience through urban greening initiatives as governments understand the importance of urban forests in improving quality of life and mitigating climate change. However, the persistence of urban forests and the ecosystem benefits they provide are threatened by climate change, and systematic assessments of causes of tree dieback and mortality in urban environments are rare. Long‐term monitoring studies and adaptive management are needed to identify and prevent climate change‐driven failures and mortality. Research and monitoring when coupled with systematic forecasting will enable governments to incorporate climate change resilience into urban forestry planning. Future scenarios in which urban forests are resilient or in decline will depend on the management and planning actions we make today. Summary The management of urban forests is a key element of resilience planning in cities across the globe. Urban forests provide ecosystem services as well as other nature‐based solutions to 4.2 billion people living in cities. However, to continue to do so effectively, urban forests need to be able to thrive in an increasingly changing climate. Trees in cities are vulnerable to extreme heat and drought events, which are predicted to increase in frequency and severity under climate change. Knowledge of species' vulnerability to climate change, therefore, is crucial to ensure provision of desired ecosystem benefits, improve species selection, maintain tree growth and reduce tree mortality, dieback and stress in urban forests. Yet, systematic assessments of causes of tree dieback and mortality in urban environments are rare. We reviewed the state of knowledge of tree mortality in urban forests globally, finding very few frameworks that enable detection of climate change impacts on urban forests and no long‐term studies assessing climate change as a direct driver of urban tree dieback and mortality. The effects of climate change on urban forests remain poorly understood and quantified, constraining the ability of governments to incorporate climate change resilience into urban forestry planning.

Nonostante l’importanza dei castelli nel regno aragonese di Napoli, non vi sono ancora studi specifici sull’ufficio di castellano, così come sugli uomini che custodivano e gestivano quelle strutture. In primo luogo, questo saggio ricostruirà il funzionamento e le prospettive delle castellanie all’interno del demanio regio, per poi concentrarsi sulle identità e le carriere dei castellani di Alfonso e Ferrante d’Aragona, concludendosi con alcune osservazioni sulla politica monarchica di controllo del territorio e sul ruolo della società provinciale. In attesa di allargare la ricerca ad aree più vaste del regno, l’analisi sarà tuttavia limitata alla Calabria nella seconda metà del Quattrocento.

The structure of groups which are rich in subnormal subgroups has been investigated by several authors. Here, we prove that if a periodic soluble group G has subnormal deviation, which means that the set of its non-subnormal subgroups satisfies a very weak chain condition, then either G is a Černikov group or all its subgroups are subnormal. It follows that if a periodic soluble group has a subnormal deviation, then its subnormal deviation is 0.

Despite the well-known benefits of healing gardens for children in healthcare facilities, policies and guidelines for their implementation are lacking, leading to their undervaluation by policymakers. This literature review investigates the advantages of healing gardens for children’s health and wellbeing, with a focus on public-funded healthcare facilities. The review explores the definition of a healing garden, theories, the value of play, the impact on children’s development, and the environmental benefits of healing gardens. Additionally, the review presents successful examples of healing gardens in practice, while acknowledging potential arguments against them and associated risks. During the literature review, research gaps were identified, and areas for future research were also examined. Finally, this review calls for evidence-based guidelines for policymakers and designers to incorporate healing gardens into healthcare facilities, providing a comprehensive argument for their adoption and regular access for children.

In recent years, the pressing environmental, social, and economic problems affecting cities have resulted in the integration of the disciplines of landscape architecture and urban forestry via a transdisciplinary approach to urban planning and design. Now, new urban forestry approaches and concepts have emerged for more sustainable city planning. The discipline is using different methods and approaches to address many pressing issues such as human well-being and also food security. But, research on these topics is still limited and not available for many cities in the world. To fill this gap, we present this thematic issue “From Smart Urban Forests to Edible Cities: New Approaches in Urban Planning and Design.” The findings from this thematic issue offer new insight to policymakers and practitioners, as well as contribute to the emerging literature on edible and forest cities. Furthermore, the findings spanning different cities from different geographies can be used towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals of making cities and human settlements more resilient, inclusive, safe, and sustainable, as well as ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition. However, further studies are still needed, especially in developing countries and the Global South.

Urban ecosystems are under pressure as a result of rapid urbanization [...]

Abstract Background Pazopanib is a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of renal cancer and soft tissue sarcoma. Its use is commonly associated with a number of side effects, such as hemorrhagic diathesis, neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, increased serum alanine aminotransferase, decreased serum glucose, increased serum bilirubin, decreased serum phosphate and magnesium, fatigue, hypertension, diarrhea, anorexia, proteinuria, and hypothyroidism. Abscesses of metastases caused by pazopanib administration are rarely reported in the literature. Case presentation We report a case of abscesses of lung metastases related to pazopanib in a patient with metastatic renal cancer. The patient was a 53-year-old Caucasian man who developed abscesses of lung metastases during the first 3 months of treatment with pazopanib. The abscesses resolved after 1 month by stopping pazopanib and administering adequate antibiotic therapy. Conclusions We conclude that abscesses of metastases could be a rare side effect occurring during treatment with pazopanib in patients with renal cancer.

The dynamic and heterogeneity of the urban heat island (UHI) is the result of the interactions between biotic, physical, social, and built components. Urban ecology as a transdisciplinary science can provide a context to understand the complex social–biophysical issues such as the thermal environment in cities. This study aimed at developing a theoretical framework to elucidate the interactions between the social–biophysical patterns and processes mediating UHI. To do it, we conducted a theoretical review to delineate UHI complexity using the concept of dynamic heterogeneity of pattern, process, and function in UHI phenomenon. Furthermore, a hypothetical heterogeneity spiral (i.e., driver-outcome spiral) related to the UHI was conceived as a model template. The adopted theoretical framework can provide a holistic vision of the UHI, contributing to a better understanding of UHI’s spatial variations in long-term studies. Through the developed framework, we can devise appropriate methodological approaches (i.e., statistic-based techniques) to develop prediction models of UHI’s spatial heterogeneity.

Several laboratory studies have shown the ability of bioretention systems to remove pollutants from stormwater. However, to our knowledge, no existing research has addressed the use of ornamental shrubs for improving water quality in bioretention systems in Italian cities. In this short note, we evaluated the potential of three ornamental shrub species (Lonicera pileata Oliver, Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne., Hypericum hidcoteense ‘Hidcote’) for the removal of heavy metals in a stormwater bioretention system. Pot experiments in “pot prototypes” using an alternative bioretention system filter media have been carried out under controlled conditions. The ornamental shrubs were irrigated with semisynthetic stormwater with known heavy-metal concentrations. Experimental results indicate that the removal of heavy metals by the system is very efficient. However, there was not a significant effect of the plant on the system’s retention efficiency. The removal of lead and cadmium by the system was over 87%. In order to provide accurate information for bioretention design, future research should comparatively assess plant species in a laboratory-scale filter column and in situ.

Let G be a group. An automorphism α of G is said to be a cyclic automorphism if the subgroup ⟨x,xα⟩ is cyclic for every element x of G. In [F. de Giovanni, M.L. Newell, A. Russo: On a class of normal endomorphisms of groups, J. Algebra and its Applications 13, (2014), 6pp] the authors proved that every cyclic automorphism is central, namely, that every cyclic automorphism acts trivially on the factor group G/Z(G). In this paper, the class FW of groups in which every element induces by conjugation a cyclic automorphism on a (normal) subgroup of finite index will be investigated.

The structure of infinite groups in which every (proper) normal subgroup is the only one of its cardinality is investigated in the universe of groups without infinite simple sections‎. ‎The corrisponding problem for finite soluble groups was considered by M‎. ‎Curzio (1958)‎.

Historic gardens have the ability to provide several ecosystem services in cities, including provisioning services (i.e., food production). The historic gardens in Iran (known as “Persian Gardens”) have never been considered as places that could be used for food production. As a result, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the Iranian historic gardens’ spatial and structural layout is suitable for modern urban food gardening. We conducted field studies in six recognized Persian gardens in four provinces of Iran via qualitative analysis according to socio-cultural guidelines drawn from a literature review. The results suggested that combining the elements of formal landscape design, non-edible decorative plants, and traditional artwork would increase the Persian gardens’ attractiveness. Regarding encouraging users to become involved in urban gardening, we found that separating productive units containing edible plants from public units using a central meeting spot populated by aesthetic plants and items may attract ordinary visitors who are interested in gardening without disturbing anyone’s activities. Furthermore, the Persian gardens’ multifunctionality, aesthetic value, and health-promoting qualities constitute a considerable historic achievement in garden design, making the gardens a suitable model for edible urban gardening. The results of this study can enhance our understanding of the Persian gardens’ spatial and structural design and provide practical implications for sustainable urban planning and landscape architecture.

This essay considers the rural-to-urban transition and correlates it with urban energy demands. Three distinct themes are inspected and interrelated to develop awareness for an urbanizing world: internal urban design and innovation, technical transition, and geopolitical change. Data were collected on the use of energy in cities and, by extension, nation states over the last 30 years. The urban population boom continues to pressure the energy dimension with heavily weighted impacts on less developed regions. Sustainable urban energy will need to reduce resource inputs and environmental impacts and decouple economic growth from energy consumption. Fossil fuels continue to be the preferred method of energy for cities; however, an increased understanding is emerging that sustainable energy forms can be implemented as alternatives. Key to this transition will be the will to invest in renewables (i.e., solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal, and biomass), efficient infrastructure, and smart eco-city designs. This essay elucidates how the technical transition of energy-friendly technologies focuses on understanding the changes in the energy mix from non-renewable to renewable. Smart electricity storage grids with artificial intelligence can operate internationally and alleviate some geopolitical barriers. Energy politics is shown to be a problematic hurdle with case research examples specific to Central and Eastern Europe. The energy re-shift stressed is a philosophical re-thinking of modern cities as well as a new approach to the human-energy relationship.

The term ecosystem services was coined to describe the societal benefit that natural ecosystems provide, as well as to raise awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem conservation [...]

More communities around the world are recognizing the benefits of green infrastructure (GI) and are planting millions of trees to improve air quality and overall well-being in cities. However, there is a need for accurate tools that can measure and value these benefits whilst also informing the community and city managers. In recent years, several online tools have been developed to assess ecosystem services. However, the reliability of such tools depends on the incorporation of local or regional data and site-specific inputs. In this communication, we have reviewed two of the freely available tools (i.e., i-Tree Canopy and the United Kingdom Office for National Statistics) using Bristol City Centre as an example. We have also discussed strengths and weaknesses for their use and, as tree planting strategy tools, explored further developments of such tools in a European context. Results show that both tools can easily calculate ecosystem services such as air pollutant removal and monetary values and at the same time be used to support GI strategies in compact cities. These tools, however, can only be partially utilized for tree planting design as they do not consider soil and root space, nor do they include drawing and painting futures. Our evaluation also highlights major gaps in the current tools, suggesting areas where more research is needed.

This article, through the analysis of the different characters who succeeded in the office, offers a new, although not exhaustive, interpretative framework about the first secretary in the aragonese Kingdom of Naples of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century.

More than half of the world’s population lives in urban ecosystems [...]

Urban green infrastructure has the potential to offer multiple ecosystem services to society. However, there is little information about the role of these tree dominated, public streetscapes on the local-scale provision of ecosystem services in European mid-sized cities. In the present study, we explored the local-scale effects of different tree dominated streetscape types on mitigating temperatures and air pollution in the city of Bolzano, Italy by integrating the ENVI-met and UFORE models as well as local field, pollution and climate data. We found that total estimated air pollution removal by trees in Bolzano was 2.42 metric tons per year (t/yr); with ozone (1.2 t/yr) being the pollutant most removed and carbon monoxide (0.03 t/yr) the least. Total air pollution removal (901.4 kg/yr) was greatest in parks. Total biogenic volatile organic compound emissions, an ecosystem disservice, were also estimated. The ENVI-met simulations found that urban trees can reduce streetscape temperatures by up to 2 °C during the summer and improve human thermal comfort. Results can be used to better understand the dynamics of local-scale ecosystem services of mid-size European cities and to better assess the role of urban streetscapes and green infrastructure in improving human well-being and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Ten identified edible green infrastructure (EGI)-related urban regeneration case studies within the Campania region, Italy, are explored in relation to local community development, involvement, and education. Urban space and agriculture are promoted as sustainably planned networks for edible food components and structures. Within an urban ecosystem, city planners are actively promoting urban agriculture after an increase in the availability of unused land. Advantages for public health include stress reduction and physical activity, as well as sustainability of urban gardens by way of far-sighted urban planning. Case studies within the Campania region illustrate EGI know-hows and awareness, and they elucidate upon a number of beneficial reasons for its implementation. Within the Campania region, all five provinces showed positive impacts when using EGI for urban regeneration and well-being. Recent developments from the COVID-19 pandemic are reinforcing a rethink of food security and food supply chains.

Il rapporto tra monarchia e baronaggio ha rappresentato, fin dal secolo XVI, un tema fondamentale per l’interpretazione delle complesse dinamiche politico-istituzionali riguardanti il Regno aragonese di Napoli. Per lo più letto in chiave antitetica, alla luce dei ripetuti conflitti armati tra la Corona e i baroni ribelli, questo rapporto merita tuttavia, nell’alveo di una rinnovata storiografia, d’essere ancora indagato, a partire da inediti punti d’osservazione. Questo articolo si focalizza sui principi reali napoletani, impegnati in alti ruoli istituzionali e al contempo titolari di feudi: principi-baroni aragonesi, dunque, attraverso i quali (in particolare Federico d’Aragona, principe di Taranto e di Squillace, il cui caso paradigmatico è più ampiamente analizzato) la Corona sperimenta un superamento dell’antitesi, estendendo la propria prassi politica e la propria ideologia del potere nei territori provinciali, nonché diffondendo e difendendo un proprio modello ideale di barone regnicolo.

Let Γ be a normal subgroup of the full automorphism group Aut(G) of a group G ‎, ‎and assume that Inn(G)≤Γ ‎. ‎An endomorphism σ of G is said to be {\it Γ -central} if σ induces the the identity on the factor group G/C G (Γ) ‎. ‎Clearly‎, ‎if Γ=Inn(G) ‎, ‎then a Γ -central endomorphism is a {\it central} endomorphism‎. ‎In this article the conditions under which a Γ -central endomorphism of a group is an automorphism are investigated‎.

Motivated by a celebrated theorem of Schur, we show that if $Gamma$ is a normal subgroup of the full automorphism group $Aut(G)$ of a group $G$ such that $Inn(G)$ is contained in $Gamma$ and $Aut(G)/Gamma$ has no uncountable abelian subgroups of prime exponent, then $[G,Gamma ]$ is finite, provided that the subgroup consisting of all elements of $G$ fixed by $Gamma$ has finite index. Some applications of this result are also given.