scholarly journals Nesting Ecology of Polistes Species (hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Urban Areas of South-western Iberian Peninsula

Sociobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
José Luis Pérez-Bote ◽  
Carlos Mora-Rubio
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Nesting Ecology ◽  
Sw Spain ◽  
Roof Tile ◽  
Species Type ◽  
Nesting Substrate

Urbanization is increasing across the globe and it is recognized as a major factor affectingspecies, populations and assemblages. Although urbanization is recognized as a major threat to biodiversity, there is increasing evidence that urban habitats may play a role in conservation. The objective of this work was to verify the occurrence of Polistes species (Vespidae) and the substrates used for nesting in urban areas in south-western Iberian Peninsula. The study was carried out from March to August of 2018 in three small towns in the Llanos de Olivenza region (SW Spain). Active searching was conducted for colonies of social wasps along and for each colony that was found we identified the species, type of substrate used for nesting, height of the colony in relation to the ground level and orientation. 753 colonies of social wasps were found belonging to two species: Polistes dominula and P. gallicus.  The most used nesting substrate was clay roof tile followed by metals. The height of the nests was related to the height of the buildings on which they were built. In all the tree towns nests exposure were oriented to the SE with mean angle values oscillating between 127.42° and 140.68°. In addition, our results confirm the prediction that wasps are more abundant in less or non-urbanized areas even if they are small urban areas such as those studied in our case.

Considerations on Ambient Levels of Ozone Concentrations and Relationship with NOx in an Urban Environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 824-829
Author(s):  
Cornel Ianache ◽  
Laurentiu Predescu ◽  
Mirela Predescu ◽  
Dumitru Dumitru
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Oxides ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Distinct Pattern ◽  
Weekend Effect ◽  
Monitoring Site ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Ozone Concentrations

The serious air pollution problem has determined public concerns, worldwide. One of the main challenges for countries all over the world is caused by the elevated levels of ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations and its anthropogenic precursors. Ploiesti city, as one of the major urban area of Romania, is facing the same situation. This research aims to investigate spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of O3 in relationship with nitrogen oxides (NOx) using statistical analysis methods. Hourly O3 and NOx measurements were collected during 2014 year in Ploiesti. The results obtained showed that the ozone spatial distribution was non-normal for each month in 2014. The diurnal cycle of ground-level ozone concentrations showed a mid-day peak, while NOx diurnal variations presented 2 daily peaks, one in the morning (7:00 a.m.) and one in the afternoon (between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.). In addition, it was observed a distinct pattern of weekly variations for O3 and NOx. Like in many other urban areas, the results indicated the presence of the �ozone weekend effect� in Ploiesti during the 2014 year, ozone concentrations being slightly higher on weekends compared to weekdays. For the same monitoring site, the nitrogen oxides were less prevalent on Saturdays and Sundays, probably due to reducing of road traffic and other pollution-generating activities on weekends than during the week.

scholarly journals Development of a Line Source Dispersion Model for Gaseous Pollutants by Incorporating Wind Shear near the Ground under Stable Atmospheric Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Saisantosh Vamshi Harsha Madiraju ◽  
Ashok Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Gaseous Pollutants ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
Mobile Sources ◽  
Input Variables

Transportation sources are a major contributor to air pollution in urban areas. The role of air quality modeling is vital in the formulation of air pollution control and management strategies. Many models have appeared in the literature to estimate near-field ground level concentrations from mobile sources moving on a highway. However, current models do not account explicitly for the effect of wind shear (magnitude) near the ground while computing the ground level concentrations near highways from mobile sources. This study presents an analytical model based on the solution of the convective-diffusion equation by incorporating the wind shear near the ground for gaseous pollutants. The model input includes emission rate, wind speed, wind direction, turbulence, and terrain features. The dispersion coefficients are based on the near field parameterization. The sensitivity of the model to compute ground level concentrations for different inputs is presented for three different downwind distances. In general, the model shows Type III sensitivity (i.e., the errors in the input will show a corresponding change in the computed ground level concentrations) for most of the input variables. However, the model equations should be re-examined for three input variables (wind velocity at the reference height and two variables related to the vertical spread of the plume) to make sure that that the model is valid for computing ground level concentrations.

scholarly journals A Quantitative Method for Evaluation of Visual Privacy in Residential Environments

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 272
Author(s):  
He Zheng ◽  
Bo Wu ◽  
Heyi Wei ◽  
Jinbiao Yan ◽  
Jianfeng Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
High Density ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Visual Exposure ◽  
Building Management ◽  
Visual Privacy ◽  
Building Level

With the rapid expansion of high-rise and high-density buildings in urban areas, visual privacy has become one of the major concerns affecting human environmental quality. Evaluation of residents’ visual exposure to outsiders has attracted more attention in the past decades. This paper presents a quantitative indicator; namely, the Potential Visual Exposure Index (PVEI), to assess visual privacy by introducing the damage of potential visual incursion from public spaces and neighborhoods in high-density residences. The method for computing the PVEI mainly consists of three steps: extracting targets and potential observers in a built environment, conducting intervisibility analysis and identifying visible sightlines, and integrating sightlines from building level and ground level to compute the PVEI value of each building opening. To validate the proposed PVEI, a case study with a sample building located at the center of Kowloon, Hong Kong, was evaluated. The results were in accordance with the common-sense notion that lower floors are subjected to poor visual privacy, and privacy is relatively well-preserved in upper floors in a building. However, residents of middle floors may suffer the worst circumstances with respect to visual privacy. The PVEI can be a useful indicator to assess visual privacy and can provide valuable information in architectural design, hotel room selection, and building management.

Wetland Roofs as an Attractive Option for Decentralized Water Management and Air Conditioning Enhancement in Growing Cities—A Review

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1845
Author(s):  
Andreas Zehnsdorf ◽  
Keani C. U. Willebrand ◽  
Ralf Trabitzsch ◽  
Sarah Knechtel ◽  
Michael Blumberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Climate Regulation ◽  
Decentralized Treatment ◽  
Attractive Option ◽  
Stormwater Retention ◽  
Positive Side Effects

While constructed wetlands have become established for the decentralized treatment of wastewater and rainwater, wetland roofs have only been built in isolated cases up to now. The historical development of wetland roofs is described here on the basis of a survey of literature and patents, and the increasing interest in this ecotechnology around the world is presented. In particular, this article describes the potential for using wetland roofs and examines experience with applications in decentralized water management in urban environments and for climate regulation in buildings. Wetland roofs are suitable as a green-blue technology for the future—particularly in cities with an acute shortage of unoccupied ground-level sites—for the decentralized treatment of wastewater streams of various origins. Positive “side effects” such as nearly complete stormwater retention and the improvement of climates in buildings and their surroundings, coupled with an increase in biodiversity, make wetland roofs an ideal multi-functional technology for urban areas.

Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Outcomes of Youth With Disabilities From a Midwestern State

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Awsumb ◽  
Fabricio E. Balcazar ◽  
Francisco Alvarado
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Transition Program ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
System Level ◽  
Youth With Disabilities ◽  
Transition Outcomes ◽  
Rehabilitation Agency ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Gender Type

Purpose: To examine the outcomes (rehabilitated vs. nonrehabilitated) of youth with disabilities (ages 14–22 years) participating in the transition program from a midwestern state.Method: Five years of vocational rehabilitation transition data (N = 6,252) were analyzed to determine what demographic and system-level factors were related to rehabilitated or nonrehabilitated outcomes.Results: Postsecondary and employment outcomes were predicted by race, gender, type of disability, office region, total number of services, and case expenditure. Hispanic youth had the highest percentage of rehabilitation; males faired significantly better than females and participants in small towns were significantly more likely to be rehabilitated than participants living in large urban areas.Conclusions: Based on the data findings, it was recommended that the vocational rehabilitation agency alters and updates its transition program. Strategies to help youth with disabilities achieve positive employment and postsecondary educational outcomes are discussed.

An Academic-Community Collaboration to Deliver Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Services to Patients Living in Rural Counties of a Southwestern State in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002110002
Author(s):  
David Rhys Axon ◽  
Melissa Johnson ◽  
Brittany Abeln ◽  
Stephanie Forbes ◽  
Elizabeth J. Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Small Town ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Medication Therapy

Background: Patients living in rural communities often experience pronounced health disparities, have a higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, and poorer access to care compared to urban areas. To address these unmet healthcare service needs, an established, academic-based MTM provider created a novel, collaborative program to provide comprehensive, telephonic services to patients living in rural Arizona counties. Objective: This study assessed the program effectiveness and described differences in health process and outcome measures (e.g., clinical outcomes, gaps in care for prescribed medications, medication-related problems) between individuals residing in different rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) groups (urban, micropolitan, and small town) in rural Arizona counties. Methods: Subjects eligible for inclusion were 18 years or older with diabetes and/or hypertension, living in rural Arizona counties. Data were collected on: demographic characteristics, medical conditions, clinical values, gaps in care, medication-related problems (MRPs), and health promotion guidance. Subjects were analyzed using 3 intra-county RUCA levels (i.e., urban, micropolitan, and small town). Results: A total of 384 patients were included from: urban (36.7%), micropolitan (19.3%) and small town (44.0%) areas. Positive trends were observed for clinical values, gaps in care, and MRPs between initial and follow-up consultations. Urban dwellers had significantly lower average SBP values at follow-up than those from small towns (p < 0.05). A total of 192 MRPs were identified; 75.0% were resolved immediately or referred to providers and 16.7% were accepted by prescribers. Conclusion: This academic-community partnership highlights the benefits of innovative collaborative programs, such as this, for individuals living in underserved, rural areas.

Temporal patterns and trends of surface ozone concentrations over Portugal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Gama ◽  
Alexandra Monteiro ◽  
Myriam Lopes ◽  
Ana Isabel Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Surface Ozone ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Ozone Concentrations ◽  
Long Term Study

&lt;p&gt;Tropospheric ozone (O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;) is a critical pollutant over the Mediterranean countries, including Portugal, due to systematic exceedances to the thresholds for the protection of human health. Due to the location of Portugal, on the Atlantic coast at the south-west point of Europe, the observed O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations are very much influenced not only by local and regional production but also by northern mid-latitudes background concentrations. Ozone trends in the Iberian Peninsula were previously analysed by Monteiro et al. (2012), based on 10-years of O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; observations. Nevertheless, only two of the eleven background monitoring stations analysed in that study are located in Portugal and these two stations are located in Porto and Lisbon urban areas. Although during pollution events O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; levels in urban areas may be high enough to affect human health, the highest concentrations are found in rural locations downwind from the urban and industrialized areas, rather than in cities. This happens because close to the sources (e.g., in urban areas) freshly emitted NO locally scavenges O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;. A long-term study of the spatial and temporal variability and trends of the ozone concentrations over Portugal is missing, aiming to answer the following questions:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; What is the temporal variability of ozone concentrations?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; Which trends can we find in observations?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;-&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; How were the ozone spring maxima concentrations affected by the COVID-19 lockdown during spring 2020?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this presentation, these questions will be answered based on the statistical analysis of O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations recorded within the national air quality monitoring network between 2005 and 2020 (16 years). The variability of the surface ozone concentrations over Portugal, on the timescales from diurnal to annual, will be presented and discussed, taking into account the physical and chemical processes that control that variability. Using the TheilSen function from the OpenAir package for R (Carslaw and Ropkins 2012), which quantifies monotonic trends and calculates the associated p-value through bootstrap simulations, O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; concentration long-term trends will be estimated for the different regions and environments (e.g., rural, urban).&amp;#160; Moreover, taking advantage of the unique situation provided by the COVID-19 lockdown during spring 2020, when the government imposed mandatory confinement and citizens movement restriction, leading to a reduction in traffic-related atmospheric emissions, the role of these emissions on ozone levels during the spring period will be studied and presented.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Carslaw and Ropkins, 2012. Openair&amp;#8212;an R package for air quality data analysis. Environ. Model. Softw. 27-28,52-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2011.09.008&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Monteiro et al., 2012. Trends in ozone concentrations in the Iberian Peninsula by quantile regression and clustering. Atmos. Environ. 56, 184-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.03.069&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Synergetic monitoring of Saharan dust plumes and potential impact on surface: a case study of dust transport from Canary Islands to Iberian Peninsula

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3067-3091 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Córdoba-Jabonero ◽  
M. Sorribas ◽  
J. L. Guerrero-Rascado ◽  
J. A. Adame ◽  
Y. Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Particle Deposition ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
In Situ Measurements ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Dust Transport ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Potential Impact

Abstract. The synergetic use of meteorological information, remote sensing both ground-based active (lidar) and passive (sun-photometry) techniques together with backtrajectory analysis and in-situ measurements is devoted to the characterization of dust intrusions. A case study of air masses advected from the Saharan region to the Canary Islands and the Iberian Peninsula, located relatively close and far away from the dust sources, respectively, was considered for this purpose. The observations were performed over three Spanish geographically strategic stations within the dust-influenced area along a common dust plume pathway monitored from 11 to 19 of March 2008. A 4-day long dust event (13–16 March) over the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Observatory (SCO), and a linked short 1-day dust episode (14 March) in the Southern Iberian Peninsula over the Atmospheric Sounding Station "El Arenosillo" (ARN) and the Granada station (GRA) were detected. Meteorological conditions favoured the dust plume transport over the area under study. Backtrajectory analysis clearly revealed the Saharan region as the source of the dust intrusion. Under the Saharan air masses influence, AERONET Aerosol Optical Depth at 500 nm (AOD500) ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 and Ångström Exponent at 440/675 nm wavelength pair (AE440/675) was lower than 0.5, indicating a high loading and predominance of coarse particles during those dusty events. Lidar observations characterized their vertical layering structure, identifying different aerosol contributions depending on altitude. In particular, the 3-km height dust layer transported from the Saharan region and observed over SCO site was later on detected at ARN and GRA stations. No significant differences were found in the lidar (extinction-to-backscatter) ratio (LR) estimation for that dust plume over all stations when a suitable aerosol scenario for lidar data retrieval is selected. Lidar-retrieved LR values of 60–70 sr were obtained during the main dust episodes. These similar LR values found in all the stations suggest that dust properties were kept nearly unchanged in the course of its medium-range transport. In addition, the potential impact on surface of that Saharan dust intrusion over the Iberian Peninsula was evaluated by means of ground-level in-situ measurements for particle deposition assessment together with backtrajectory analysis. However, no connection between those dust plumes and the particle sedimentation registered at ground level is found. Differences on particle deposition processes observed in both Southern Iberian Peninsula sites are due to the particular dust transport pattern occurred over each station. Discrepancies between columnar-integrated and ground-level in-situ measurements show a clear dependence on height of the dust particle size distribution. Then, further vertical size-resolved observations are needed for evaluation of the impact on surface of the Saharan dust arrival to the Iberian Peninsula.

scholarly journals Tangible Cultural Heritage Re-Appropriation Towards A New Urban Centrality. A Critical Crossroad In Semi-Peripheral Eastern Riverside Lisbon

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
Joao C. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Regeneration ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Ground Field ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Tangible Culture ◽  
Private Investors

. The transformation of decayed semi-peripheral riverside areas and its Tangible Culture Heritage is presented today as a contributing factor in urban regeneration by several public preservation bodies and agendas, as well as privately led investment. These practices demand the economic and symbolic valorization of abandoned Tangible Cultural Heritage, where the social coexistence of residents, workers and visitors is seen as a smoother urban integration of these deprived territories and their communities into the surrounding contemporary cities.We’ll focus our approach on socio-spatial changes occurring in Marvila and Beato, presented today as new urban areas in which to financially invest after the 2011 economic crisis occurred in Portugal, discussing public and private re- appropriation of Old Palaces, Convents and Farms and Reconverted Warehouses (industrial and commercial); towards the creation of a new urban centrality in Lisbon. In this case, public ground-field intervention established a culture led regeneration process, with the creation of a municipal library, a crucial point in the cultural use of this space, community participation and gathering. Dealing with private investors, despite the positive effects, such as a reduction in unemployment, economic diversification and re-use of urban voids, there is always the possibility of undesired consequences. This paper argues, and the research experiments in many European cities show us that the ambition to improve the image of these deprived areas, despite somGonzalex encouraging ground level achievements, has unwanted or unexpected outcomes, starting as urban regeneration practices, often sliding towards gentrification, where local public powers have a determinant role.

scholarly journals Physical Condition of Dig Well and Incidence of Diarrhea in Infants at The Working Area of Kabila Community Health Center

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
Bun Yamin M. Badjuka ◽  
Tumartony Thaib Hiola
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Community Health Center ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Clean Water

Dig well is one of the clean water supply sources for the society in the countryside, and urban areas. Dig well provides water originating from the soil layer that is relatively close with ground level, therefore susceptible to contamination through seepage originating from human waste, animals, or for domestic household needs. Dig well as clean water source must be supported by construction conditions, location conditions to build a dig well, this thing is needed so that the quality of dig well’s water is safe according to the rules set. The research purpose is to know the physical condition of dig well with incidence of diarrhea in infants at the working area of Kabila Community Health Centre Bone Bolango District. This research used quantitative method, the research instrument uses observation sheet and questionairres to measure the physical condition of dig well. The result show that there was a significant effect between dig well lip height variable, wall of the dig well, septic tank distance with dig well by the incidence of diarrhea in infants. For the variable of dig well floor and closing condition of dig well obtains the result that there was no influence with the incidence of diarrhea in infants. Keywords: Physical condition, Dig well, Diarrhea

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