A global meta-analysis reveals more variable life histories in urban birds compared to their non-urban neighbours

Cities pose a major ecological challenge for wildlife worldwide. Phenotypic variation is a pivotal metric to predict evolutionary potential in response to environmental change. Recent work suggests that urban populations might have higher levels of phenotypic variation than non-urban counterparts. This prediction, however, has never been tested across taxa nor over a broad geographical range. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of the urban avian literature to compare urban versus non-urban means and variances for phenology and reproductive performance. First, we show that urban birds reproduce earlier and have smaller broods than non-urban ones. Second, we demonstrate that urban populations have a more variable phenology than non-urban populations. Our analyses reveal that the latter pattern arises from differences in phenological variation between individuals within breeding seasons, likely because of higher heterogeneity in the urban study areas. These findings suggest that the opportunity for selection on phenology may be stronger in urban bird populations and that the patterns of phenotypic variation in urban and non-urban avian populations may consistently differ.

Cultural Heritage through Design Thinking

The general purpose of the Design Thinking approach (concept taken over in Romanian without its translation and which involves conception-oriented thinking) is to support the conception and design of products, services, processes, strategies, spaces, architecture and experiences ideal for use optimal. Applying the approach leads to the development of practical and innovative solutions to the problems identified in the product and / or technology design departments of companies. As described in the article Design Thinking is a process springing from the user-centered conception-design paradigm. The objective of the article is to highlight the need to combine urban study within Design Thinking, in the case of all areas of conception-design of solutions.

Correlation of age, sex and season with the state of human decomposition as quantified by postmortem computed tomography

Dead bodies exhibit a variable range of changes with advancing decomposition. To quantify intracorporeal gas, the radiological alteration index (RAI) has been implemented in the assessment of postmortem whole-body computed tomography. We used this RAI as a proxy for the state of decomposition. This study aimed to (I) investigate the correlation between the state of decomposition and the season in which the body was discovered; and (II) evaluate the correlations between sociodemographic factors (age, sex) and the state of decomposition, by using the RAI as a proxy for the extent of decomposition. In a retrospective study, we analyzed demographic data from all autopsy reports from the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Zurich between January 2017 to July 2019 and evaluated the radiological alteration index from postmortem whole-body computed tomography for each case. The bodies of older males showed the highest RAI. Seasonal effects had no significant influence on the RAI in our urban study population with bodies mostly being discovered indoors. Autopsy reports contain valuable data that allow interpretation for reasons beyond forensic purposes, such as sociopolitical observations.

Bartonella spp. in Small Mammals and Their Fleas in Differently Structured Habitats From Germany

Most Bartonella spp. are transmitted by fleas and harbored by small mammals which serve as reservoirs. However, little is known about the composition of fleas and their Bartonella spp. from small mammals in Central Europe. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate flea communities on small mammals from three differently structured sites (urban, sylvatic, renatured) in Germany as well as the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in small mammals and their parasitizing fleas. In total, 623 small mammals belonging to 10 different species (the majority were Myodes glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis) were available. Fleas were removed from the small mammals' fur, morphologically identified and DNA was extracted. To detect Bartonella spp., two conventional PCRs targeting the gltA gene and the 16S−23S rRNA intergenic spacer were carried out followed by sequencing. Obtained sequences were compared to those in GenBank. In total, 1,156 fleas were collected from 456 small mammals. Altogether, 12 different flea species (the majority were Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, and Megabothris turbidus) were detected. At the urban site mostly Leptopsylla segnis and N. fasciatus were collected which may be vectors of zoonotic pathogens to companion animals. The overall prevalence for Bartonella in small mammals was 43.3% and in fleas 49.1%. Five different Bartonella spp. were detected in small mammals namely B. grahamii, B. taylorii, B. doshiae, Bartonella sp. N40 and uncultured Bartonella sp. whereas in fleas four Bartonella spp. were found which were with the exception of B. doshiae identical to the Bartonella species detected in their small mammal hosts. While B. grahamii was the only zoonotic Bartonella sp. most Bartonella strains found in fleas and small mammals belonged to uncultured Bartonella spp. with unknown zoonotic potential. This study showed a high diversity of flea species on small mammals from Germany. Further, high prevalence rates of Bartonella species were detected both in fleas and in their mammalian hosts. Several different Bartonella species with a high genetic variability were discovered. Especially at the urban study sites, this may pose a risk for Bartonella transmission to companion animals and humans.

Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides in contaminated faecal samples of children residing in urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Ascariasis is a common public health problem of preschool and primary school children in developing countries like Pakistan. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of Ascaris lumbericoides (A. lumbricoides) infection among children residing in urban areas of Lahore, to provide information on ascariasis to promote awareness and prevention programs between the participants specially on the months or season of higher prevalence. To investigate the prevalence of Ascaris Lumbricoides in the contaminated faecal samples of children residing in urban areas of Lahore, a study was conducted from November 2010 to October 2012 and we collected 3600 stratified faecal samples from six urban study areas. Overall 32/3600 (0.88%) prevalence of fecal samples was found positive for eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides. Area wise highest presence positivity 1.67% was observed in Allama Iqbal Town followed by 1.17% in Samanabad, 1.00% in Wapda Town, 1.00% in Gulberg, 0.50% in Cantt, and the lowest 0.00% in Valencia Town respectively (p < 0.001) The highest month wise positivity prevalence 3/300 (3.33%) (p < 0.001) was observed in the month of September that gradually declined up to 0/300 (0.00%) in the month of March. The results reveal that urban areas of Lahore are susceptible to Ascaris Lubricoides infection and the highest prevalence were observed autumn on the month of September.

Fakes and chemicals: indigenous medicine in contemporary Kenya and implications for health equity

Background Access to effective biomedical treatments for humans and livestock in Kenya is far from universal. Indigenous healing has a significant role to play in contemporary society in Kenya, yet access is not the only reason for this. Beliefs surrounding the composition of biomedicines, people’s experiences of biomedical care, and issues of counterfeit biomedicines sold over the counter have led to patients seeking care outside of biomedical institutions. Methods This study explores local realities of treatment seeking in one rural and one urban study site, for both humans and their livestock, including when, where and how people access certain types of medicines. Using an ethnographic approach to interviews, focus groups and observations, I explore the role that indigenous healing, both herbal and occasionally spiritual, plays within this context with healers and community members. Results Indigenous healing remains important for many people due to their mistrust and suspicion of biomedicine and big pharma. Their interactions with the healer or doctor, and the equity of these interactions, influence their decisions whether to access herbal or biomedical care, or a combination of the two. Indigenous healing bridges the gap many people experience when they are unable to access biomedical treatments and effectively creates a broader, more equitable coverage for healthcare. The plurality of reasons surrounding decision making is complex, but it is clear that many people often use indigenous healing, improvements in the regulation of both formulas and practice would assist people to access more effective treatment. Conclusions Indigenous healing is an important way in which Kenyans in rural and urban areas access healthcare for themselves and their animals. Issues of counterfeit biomedicines have led to broad mistrust and people favour indigenous healing, depending on the illness or severity of symptoms. Indigenous healing is a vital way in which people in underserved rural and urban populations access care. Herbal medicines and indigenous healing are trusted due to the greater transparency in their creation, and the more equitable relationship between indigenous doctor and patient. The study demonstrates that a pluralistic system is appropriate to increasing equity in access to healthcare in both urban and rural settings, as well as the importance of biomedical care providers respecting indigenous healing and viewing it with legitimacy. By taking a One Health perspective to understand the intersection of humans, livestock and the environment, we can better understand critical aspects affecting decision making for treatment and implications for healthcare equity in a rapidly changing world.

FASILITAS OLAHRAGA INTERAKTIF DI RAWA BUNGA

Rawa Bunga population is constantly increased as time goes by. The increasing population in Rawa Bunga is leading to a change in land-use planning. The initial planning which create a balance between commercial and housing is forced to change into domination of housing. Although the housing community is constantly increased, but the government didn’t increased the community facility or third place in Rawa Bunga. This condition is causing a huge problem for the community to satisfy their daily basic needs. Even more, they started to occupy every vacant place for their activity and making problems for other people. The objective of this design is making a third place for the community of Rawa Bunga that can help them to socialize and interact with each other. The design method is divided into two parts, the first part is collecting data from observation, urban study, and analysis. The second part is start from the program and follow the theory of activity tipology. The design idea is a community facility or third place for interactive sport, sport and interactive technology is chosen because the community in Rawa Bunga loves sports. In addition, the third place will inserted by Betawi culture to introduce the genius loci of Rawa Bunga. Keywords: interactive sports; Rawa Bunga; Third Place AbstrakKelurahan Rawa Bunga memiliki jumlah penduduk yang selalu meningkat seiring berjalannya waktu. Peningkatan jumlah penduduk yang terjadi berdampak kepada perubahan fungsi lahan yang tidak semestinya seperti Rancangan zonasi awal yang mempunyai komposisi yang seimbang antara komersial dan hunian. Tetapi pada kenyataannya, fungsi lahan yang ada didominasi oleh hunian. Walaupun fungsi hunian bertambah, tetapi tidak diiringi pertambahan third place yang memadai. Akibatnya adalah masalah beruntun berupa kebutuhan dasar manusia yang tidak terpenuhi. Dampak yang dihasilkan adalah pelaksanaan aktivitas masyarakat di tempat – tempat yang tidak semestinya sebagai ganti fasilitas lingkungan yang tidak memadai. Tujuan dari perancangan ini adalah berusaha memenuhi kebutuhan dasar masyarakat di Kelurahan Rawa Bunga akan aktivitas penunjang seperti sosialisasi dan interaksi baik antar manusia maupun dengan lingkungannya melalui third place. Metode Perancangan yang dipakai dibagi menjadi dua tahap, pertama tahap pencarian data dengan metode empiris yaitu observasi, studi kota dan analisis. Tahap kedua, Tahap perancangan dimulai dari hasil yang didapat dari analisis berupa program. Program akan diolah dengan pendekatan metode desain tipologi kegiatan. Ide dari perancangan ini adalah fasilitas lingkungan atau third place dengan aktivitas olahraga yang memakai teknologi interaktif untuk membantu proses sosialisasi dan interaksi baik antar manusia maupun dengan lingkungannya. Olahraga dipilih karena masyarakat di Rawa Bunga senang dengan aktivitas yang bersifat olahraga dan tidak lupa juga disisipi elemen kebudayaan Betawi untuk memperkenalkan genius loci kawasan Rawa Bunga.