Genetic Structure in Neotropical Birds with Different Tolerance To Urbanization

Gene flow in birds can be affected by urbanization depending on natural history traits and adaptability to habitat change. Contrasting results can be expected when comparing species with opposite resilience to urbanization. In this study, we assessed genetic diversity and structure for two bird species, the urban avoider white-eared ground-sparrow, Melozone leucotis, and the urban dweller house wren Troglodytes aedon. We used seven microsatellite loci and sampled five locations with differing levels of urbanization in Costa Rica. We found considerably higher genetic structure in white-eared ground-sparrows than in house wrens. Circuit theory analyses proved a higher isolation from urban resistance for the white-eared ground-sparrow than for house wrens. These results support that urbanization is a significant barrier for gene flow in urban avoiders, in contrast to urban dweller species that showed little to no impact. Differences could be attributed to a higher plasticity in habitat and nesting site preferences in the house wren, and significant dispersal limitation for the white-eared ground-sparrow. These results emphasize the need for conservation strategies towards white-eared ground-sparrows and other urban avoider species whose habitat and connectivity have been reduced by the recent urban expansion.

Factors Associated with Suboptimal Control of Asthma among Adult Asthma Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Asthma is a major public health problem that negatively impacts patients, families, and the community. Identifying risk factors for poor asthma control may greatly enhance the establishment of more effective treatment of asthma. The level of asthma control and risk factors for poor asthma control is relatively unknown in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 adult asthma patients at the Outpatient Department (OPD) chest clinic of Jimma Medical Center (JMC), from February 15 –March 20, 2019. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 21.0 was used for data analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to analyze the potential associated factors of suboptimal control of asthma. Results and Discussion: Of 150 adults diagnosed with asthma recruited in this study, 81 [54.0%] of them were females, and the mean age of the patients was 41.1 ± 12.4 years. Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) (64, 42.7%) was the most frequently used anti-asthmatic medication. Over one-fourth (26.0%) (95% CI, 19.2-33.8) of study participants had suboptimal asthma control. On multivariate logistic regression, being an urban dweller (AOR=3.70, p=0.025) and not applying proper inhalation technique (AOR=16.23, p=0.022) were increased the risk of suboptimal asthma control, while non-prescription anti-asthmatic drugs taking habit (AOR=0.25, p=0.010) reduces the odds of having suboptimal asthma control. Conclusion: Suboptimal asthma control is high among adult asthma patients. Being an urban dweller and not applying proper inhalation techniques were increased the likelihood of suboptimal asthma control, while non-prescription anti-asthmatic drugs taking habits had lower odds of suboptimal asthma control. The authors recommend large sample size studies on the comparative status of asthma control using prescription versus non-prescription anti-asthmatic medication.

Entre o Urbano e o Ribeirinho: Territorialidades Navegantes e Sistemas Territoriais em Parintins (AM) / Between Urban Dweller and Riverine Peasant: Navigating Territorialities and Territorial Systems in Parintins (AM)

Numa cidade com forte dinâmica ribeirinha constata-se a existência de centralidades sazonais e fragmentos no espaço intraurbano conectados a pontos do território do entorno. Beiras de rio em bairros populares ou portos privatizados por empresas comerciais da cidade denotam diferentes temporalidades, lógicas de uso e circulação de pessoas, onde apresentamos proposta para o entendimento do Sistema Territorial Urbano-Ribeirinho como mediador na produção de territorialidades. Funciona como complemento dual da economia urbana, abastecendo a economia popular e atividades do capital mercantil, possibilitando extração sazonal de recursos através de práticas espaciais de pescadores e carpinteiros navais.

ECOLOGICAL READING ON SELECTED AYURZANA AND YONG SHU HOONG’s POEMS

This paper explores how nature is depicted by two poets of different nationality using ecocriticism. Ecological approach is used as framework to focus more on the connection and relationship between human and their environment and the possible impact on the disruption of human-nature relationship. People living in different environment will have different reception toward their surroundings. The aim of this paper is to explore how both poets describe nature in their selected works. Ayurzana and Yong ShuHoong represent two poets exposed to different environment;hence, this paper seeks to present how different Ayurzana who lives in a rural area portray his surrounding compared with Hoong as an urban dweller. As a native Mongolian, Ayurzana explores the close connection between Mongolian people and nature. On the other hand, Hoong’s poetry elaborates life in cities and people that become detached from the natural environment. By analyzing two poets from different living conditions, this paper acknowledges that ecological issue might differ from one region to another.

Urban Agriculture Program: the Intention of Participants to Remain As Volunteers

Community Garden Program is a program where people from a residential area practice urban agriculture together in a common place. Production of crop and livestock within cities is known as urban agriculture. Community Garden Program is one of the most popular initiatives by the Malaysian government in enhancing urban agriculture. Nevertheless, the program is facing challenges in attracting and retaining the volunteers. This article aims to identify the association between socio-eco-demographic characteristics and intention to remain as a volunteer for Urban Agriculture Program. The survey was conducted among 375 volunteers in Klang Valley using questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, reliability analysis and chi-square test for independence analysis were conducted. The result from descriptive analysis shows that most participants have the intention to remain as volunteers. The Cronbach’s Alpha test specified that the internal consistency of intention to remain items was excellent. Chi-square test for independence indicated that elder male with high income is more likely to remain as volunteers for the Urban Agriculture Program. This study expands the existing literature on volunteerism among the urban dweller regarding participating in community-based Urban Agriculture Program.

A review work of urban ecosystem services and their interactions with dweller demand factors in modern China

Nowadays, various urban ecosystem services (UES) provided by urban green infrastructure (UGI) have been the concern of scholars worldwide. And as China being recognized as a living laboratory in sustainable studies, concerns toward UES provided by UGI and factors of urban dweller demands is definitely required. However, for related reviews and special discussions are lacking until now, this study calculated the types of UES and demand concerns with a collection of 54 Chinese and 51 English articles in UES studies, 162 Chinese and 26 English articles in urban dweller research. In addition, with detailed discussions through spatial distributions, perspectives, and methodologies, comprehensive analyses were conducted and unique features were summarized to back up other nations or situations worldwide.