Height cycles in the 18th and 19th centuries

Spectral analysis of the physical stature of Americans and Europeans in the 18th and 19th centuries reveals a cyclical structure similar to the traditional view of the business cycle: a longer cycle with a length of 7-10 years, and a shorter cycle with a length of 3-5 years. The correlation between height cycles and cycles of economic variables such as grain prices indicates an influence of economic cycles on physical stature. The phase shift between the cycles indicates that economic conditions are especially important for growth in infancy. In part, this result is due to a cumulative effect: born into a recessionary period, a child is likely to face several cyclical downturns during the growing years.     

Natural disturbances in the European forests in the 19th and 20th centuries

This paper, based on a literature review, presents a quantitative overview of the role of natural disturbances in European forests from 1850 to 2000. Such an overview provides a basis for modelling the possible impacts of climate change and enables one to assess trends in disturbance regimes in different countries and/or periods. Over the period 1950–2000, an annual average of 35 million m³ wood was damaged by disturbances; there was much variation between years. Storms were responsible for 53% of the total damage, fire for 16%, snow for 3% and other abiotic causes for 5%. Biotic factors caused 16% of the damage, and half of this was caused by bark beetles. For 7% of the damage, no cause was given or there was a combination of causes. The 35 million m³ of damage is about 8.1% of the total fellings in Europe and about 0.15% of the total volume of growing stock. Over the period 1961–2000, the average annual area of forest fires was 213 000 ha, which is 0.15% of the total forest area in Europe. Most types of damage seem to be increasing. This is partly an artefact of the improved availability of information. The most likely explanations for an increase in damage from disturbances are changes in forest management and resulting changes in the condition of the forest. Forest area, average volume of growing stock and average stand age have increased considerably, making the forest more vulnerable and increasing the resources that can be damaged. Since forest resources are expected to continue to increase, it is likely that damage from disturbances will also increase in future.     

Escaping the Crisis. Friulan Mountains 18th–19th Century

As for most of the mountainous areas even the Friulan Mountains between the 18th and the 19th century proved to be extremely deficient of consumer goods produce. To provide for the subsistence of the population it was therefore necessary to import great amounts of alimentary goods, cereals in particular. This paper will show how the agricultural prices influenced the mountainous areas; considerations will be made on the behaviour adopted by the populations of the valleys to counteract the negative impact brought about by the prices increases. A final look will outline the consequences of such behaviours at a demographic level. To this aim, after drawing a general picture of the mountain economy, an attempt will be made at quantifying the demand of the consumer goods. The system for cereals provision will be retraced and the relations between cereal prices and demongraphic variables will be evaluated.     

10—14世纪四柱亭榭之结构探析

通过对金元亭榭、《营造法式》以及相关宋画三者进行对照比较，总结出10—14世纪四柱亭榭之结构做法，内容包括举折、出檐、出际、安槫四项。具体提出以下5点结论：1）举屋在四分举一至二分举一之间；2）椽径份值介于9~10份；3）大型亭榭之出檐，可参考《法式》规定，小型亭榭之出檐，需据檐步架尺寸进行折算；4）歇山亭榭之出际可据步架尺寸之0.8~1确定；5）安槫方式可归作三类：“斗栱悬挑型”、“过渡型”和“趴梁抬承型”，每一类又可进一步细分为两种做法，在此基础上，对不同做法之历史演变进行了客观梳理。研究结果可为中古亭榭建筑结构补阙，又可补充完善《法式》内容。     

Council Highlights: Minutes of the 549th and 550th Meetings of the Council

This summary is published so that CMA membership may be advised in brief of the actions of the Association''s Council. It covers only major actions and is not intended as a detailed report. Full minutes of these meeings are available upon any member''s request to the CMA office.     

Council Highlights: Minutes of the 557th and 558th Meetings of the Council

This summary is published so that CMA membership may be advised in brief of the actions of the Association''s Council. It covers only major actions and is not intended as a detailed report. Full minutes of these meetings are available upon any member''s request to the CMA office.     

Council Highlights: Minutes of the 547th and 548th Meetings of the Council

This summary is published so that CMA membership may be advised in brief of the actions of the Association''s Council. It covers only major actions and is not intended as a detailed report. Full minutes of these meetings are available upon any member''s request to the CMA office.     

The physicians and surgeons of Koper from the 14th to the 17th century

Koper stands out among Istrian towns of the nordeastern Adriatic coast for its highly advanced medicine. Communal service developed between the 13th and 15th century. Beside the hospital, almshouse and a quarantine, the city also boasted highly trained physicians, surgeons and barbers. Trade, crafts and navigation prospered and numerous town intellectuals established an academy whose most active members were medical doctors. The aim of this article is to give a chronological presentation of physicians related to Koper by their birth or work and of other scientists who contributed to the development of local medicine. These includes (about forty names) S. Santorio, Ser Benvenuto, P P. Vergerio, G. Nuzio, E Nuzio, P de Castaldi, I. de Albertis, L. Zarotti, B. Petronio, I. Bratti, Z. Zarotti, A.Valdera, G. Vergerio and C. Zarotti of whom some are well known. The author wishes to systematisize the bibliography, fill the gaps and show ways for further research in the archives and museums of Istria, Triest, Venice and Vienna.