Functional diversity is the variability in the functional roles carried out by species within ecosystems. Changes in the environment can affect this component of biodiversity and can, in turn, affect ...different processes, including some ecosystem services. This study aimed to determine the effect of forest loss on species richness, abundance and functional diversity of Neotropical bats. To this end, we identified six landscapes with increasing loss of forest cover in the Huasteca region of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. We captured bats in each landscape using mist nets, and calculated functional diversity indices (functional richness and functional evenness) along with species richness and abundance. We analyzed these measures in terms of percent forest cover. We captured 906 bats (Phyllostomidae and Mormoopidae), including 10 genera and 12 species. Species richness, abundance and functional richness per night are positively related with forest cover. Generalized linear models show that species richness, abundance and functional richness per night are significantly related with forest cover, while seasonality had an effect on abundance and functional richness. Neither forest cover nor season had a significant effect on functional evenness. All these findings were consistent across three spatial scales (1, 3 and 5 km radius around sampling sites). The decrease in species, abundance and functional richness of bats with forest loss may have implications for the ecological processes they carry out such as seed dispersal, pollination and insect predation, among others.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Konstrukt turizma je prelomna oblika kapitalistične produkcije prostora, ki ustvarja nove urbane oblike. V številnih arhitekturnih in morfoloških študijah so analizirali različne modele, manjkajo pa ...primerjave njihovih značilnosti. Avtorji so v članku primerjali štiri vrste turizma, povezane z razvojem kapitalizma (vključno s predfordizmom, fordizmom in postfordizmom), in različne vrste turističnih mest. V povezavi z gospodarskimi, socialnimi in kulturnimi značilnostmi so analizirali njihovo arhitekturno ikoničnost, morfološke vzorce in prostorsko metriko. Izsledki kažejo, da predfordistični in fordistični konstrukti turizma, za katere je značilna visoka gostota zazidave, spodbujajo družbene odnose in povečujejo sposobnost ustvarjanja mesta, postfordistični konstrukti turizma z nizko gostoto zazidave pa povzročajo višje okoljske stroške (porast zasebnih zelenih in vodnih površin) in višje družbene stroške zaradi arhitekturne ikoničnosti. Avtorji so proučevali povezavo med arhitekturnimi in urbanističnimi spremenljivkami, ki bi jih bilo treba upoštevati pri načrtovanju turističnih destinacij v okviru kapitalistične produkcije turističnega prostora.
The tourism construct is a disruptive capitalist production of space that has generated and is generating new urban forms. Many architectural and morphological studies have specifically analysed its ...different models, but there is a lack of studies comparing their features. This comparative study examines four types of tourism construct related to the evolution of capitalism (including pre-Fordism, Fordism, and post-Fordism) and different types of tourist cities. Architectural iconicity, morphological patterns, and spatial metrics are analysed in relation to the economic, social, and cultural characteristics generated. The results suggest that high-density pre-Fordist and Fordist tourism constructs facilitate social relations and a greater capacity to generate the city, whereas lower-density post-Fordist constructs have higher environmental costs (an increase in private green areas and bodies of water) and social costs due to architectural iconicity. The article assesses the relationship between the architectural and urban variables to be considered in the planning tourist destinations in the capitalist production of tourist space.
To date, there is no specific literature available on the determinants for therapeutic failure (TF) with meglumine antimoniate (MA) in Northwestern-Argentina. This study aimed to identify ...epidemiological, clinical, and treatment-related factors that could be involved in TF.
We performed a case-control study. Cases were represented by patients who showed TF after administration of the first course of MA treatment, whereas, controls were determined as patients who evolved towards healing after the first MA cycle received. Crude Odds Ratios and their corresponding 90% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and risk factors were then tested by multivariate analysis using logistic binary regression. Three hundred and eighty-four patients with a presumptive diagnosis of ACL were recruited, and 153 with a positive diagnosis were selected. We included in the study 71 patients, who underwent specific treatment with MA, presented complete data on response to treatment, and had a minimum post-treatment follow-up of 6 months in cutaneous leishmaniasis, and 12 months in mucosal leishmaniasis. Of these, 34 (47.9%) presented TF. In the initial analysis, TF was significantly associated with the geographical area of disease acquisition (p = 0.036), the presence of mucosal lesions (p = 0.042), the presence of concomitant skin and mucosal lesions (p = 0.002), and lesion age ≥ 6 months (p = 0.018). Risk factors influencing TF in the final multivariate model included the geographical area where the disease was acquired (adjusted Odd Ratio 8.062; 95% CI 1.914-33.959; p = 0.004), and lesion age ≥ 6 months (adjusted Odd Ratio 10.037; 95% CI 1.383-72.843; p = 0.023).
The results of the present study suggest the existence of some risk factors linked to TF in Northwestern-Argentina, which deserve further investigation. Herein we recorded a high percentage of TF and we described clinical and epidemiological characteristics associated with TF that could be taken into account improving the clinical management of patients.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Museums are main tourist resources for independent cruise passengers in cultural cruise destinations. However, their influence on cruise destinations is scarcely analyzed. The aim of this paper was ...to focus on two questions: What distribution of museums facilitates a sustainable mobility of cruise tourists in balance with urban needs? And which factors affect the potential use of both means of sustainable travel—soft mobility and public transport—at cruise destinations? The network topological features of main museums were analyzed to compare similar features among tourism destinations. A topological study based on the model of the three urban fabrics was related to the objective quality of PT. This allowed for a greater walkability or potential use of PT to be estimated. The results allowed for a diverse sample of cultural tourism port cities with cruise activity to be classified in three centralized levels and two decentralized ones. Results indicated that centralized networks are more prone to cruise tourists, while decentralized networks are more related to main cultural destinations. Finally, the discussion section analysed recommendations and measures to improve sustainable mobility and the planning of new museums. The results of this paper will be of interest to cultural and transport managers at these types of destinations.
The evidence regarding patient related outcomes in children with infrequent congenital heart defects (I-CHD) is very limited. We sought to measure quality of life (QoL) in children with I-CHD, and ...secondarily, to describe QoL changes after one-year of follow-up, self-reported by children and through their caregivers' perspective.
We assembled a cohort of children diagnosed with an I-CHD in a cardiovascular referral center in Colombia, between August 2016 and September 2018. At baseline and at one-year follow-up, a clinical psychology assessment was performed to establish perception of QoL. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 scale was used in both general and cardiac modules for patients and for their caregivers. We used a Mann-Whitney U test to compare scores for general and cardiac modules between patients and caregivers, while a Wilcoxon test was used to compared patients' and caregivers' baseline and follow-up scores. Results are presented as median and interquartile range.
To date, QoL evaluation at one-year follow-up has been achieved in 112/157 patients (71%). Self-reported scores in general and cardiac modules were higher than the QoL perceived through their caregivers, both at baseline and after one-year of follow-up. When compared, there was no statistically significant difference in general module scores at baseline between patients (median = 74.4, IQR = 64.1-80.4) and caregivers scores (median = 68.4, IQR = 59.6-83.7), p = 0.296. On the contrary, there was a statistical difference in baseline scores in the cardiac module between patients (median = 79.6, IQR = 69.7-87.4) and caregivers (median = 73.6, IQR = 62.6-84.3), p = 0.019. At one-year of follow-up, scores for the general module between patients (median = 72.8, IQR = 59.2-85.9) and caregivers (median = 69.9, IQR = 58.1-83.7) were not statistically different (p = 0.332). Finally, a significant difference was found for cardiac module scores between patient (median = 75.0, IQR = 67.1-87.1) and caregivers (median = 73.1, IQR = 59.5-83.8), p = 0.034.
QoL in children with I-CHD can be compromised. However, children have a better perception of their QoL when compared with their caregivers' assessments. To provide high-quality care, besides a thorough clinical evaluation, QoL directly elicited by the child should be an essential aspect in the integral management of I-CHD.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose
This paper seeks to define a theoretical model for the urban regeneration of mass housing areas based on citizen initiative, self-management and self-financing in the form of the ...neighbourhood cooperative. This paper aims to identify mechanisms for economic resource generation that enable the improvement of the urban surroundings and its buildings without assuming disproportionate economic burdens by the local residents based on two principles, the economies of scale and service provision.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is structured in three phases: a literature review of the different trends in self-financing for urban regeneration and the conceptual framework for the definition of a cooperative model; the definition of theoretical model by analysing community ecosystem, neighbourhood-based services and the requirements for its economic equilibrium; and the discussion of the results and the conclusions.
Findings
The results show the potential of the cooperative model to generate a social economy capable of reducing costs and producing additional resources to finance the rehabilitation process. The findings show not only the extent of economic advantages but also multiple social, physical and environmental benefits. Its implementation involves the participation of multiple actors, which is one of its significant advantages.
Originality/value
The main contribution is to approach comprehensive urban rehabilitation from a collaborative understanding, overcoming the main financing difficulties of the current practices based on public subsidy policies. The model also allows an ethical relationship to be built with supplier companies by means of corporate social responsibility.
AbstractKnowledge of the real-time behavior of a city would encourage making decisions in urban design in a dynamic way, adapting to what the city constantly needs, without further large periodic ...studies. This paper proposes a system for gathering heterogeneous real-time traffic data coming from several sources of information and making decisions in urban design in a dynamic way. This innovative tool, based on new Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), allows an iterative design, surpassing classical urban planning. This methodology evaluates, diagnoses, and redesigns street sections with the aim of achieving an optimized mobility system. In case of cities without an urban mobility plan, the tool will assess the adequacy of the current street design. In cities with an urban mobility plan, the system becomes an effective tool to verify the guidelines of the plan before being applied. A prototype has been tested in Málaga, Spain, showing the feasibility and usefulness of the tool.
A significant number of universities have several campuses located in urban or rural settings, or with scattered university buildings that require the use of means of transportation. This implies the ...mobility and potential displacement of a large community of students, professors and researchers. The use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) is an intermediate alternative between the bicycle and electric cars. It can be an important stimulus for the promotion of the decarbonisation of the University Campus, avoiding the traffic congestion and reducing space requirements for parking. This paper presents the smart solar micro-exchanger model managed through a sustainable mobility web platform, applied to the case study of the University of Malaga (Spain). It is a solar charging station for e-bike, whose design is based on the principles of solar architecture (providing great security to e-bike). It managed by a web platform and app that allows the user to make reservations and learn about the savings in CO2 emissions. The system allows performing an aerobic sports activity without sweating problems when you reach the job. The platform also incorporates a database of quiet and safe routes for e-bike users.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Globally congenital heart disease mortality is declining, yet the proportion of infant deaths attributable to heart disease rises in Colombia and other middle-sociodemographic ...countries. We aimed to assess the accessibility of paediatric cardiac surgery (PCS) to children <18 years of age in 2016 in the South American country of Colombia.
METHODS
In Bogotá, Colombia, a multi-national team used cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study designs to adapt and evaluate 4 health system indicators at the national level: first, the population with timely geographic access to an institution providing PCS; second, the number of paediatric cardiac surgeons; third, this specialized procedure volume and its national distribution; and fourth, the 30-day perioperative mortality rate after PCS in Colombia.
RESULTS
Geospatial mapping approximates 64% (n = 9 894 356) of the under-18 Colombian population lives within 2-h drivetime of an institution providing PCS. Twenty-eight cardiovascular surgeons report performing PCS, 82% (n = 23) with formal training. In 2016, 1281 PCS procedures were registered, 90% of whom were performed in 6 of the country’s 32 departments. National non-risk-adjusted all-cause 30-day perioperative mortality rate after PCS was 2.73% (n = 35).
CONCLUSIONS
Colombia’s paediatric population had variable access to cardiac surgery in 2016, largely dependent upon geography. While the country may have the capacity to provide timely, high-quality care to those who need it, our study enables future comparative analyses to measure the impact of health system interventions facilitating healthcare equity for the underserved populations across Colombia and the Latin American region.
More than 260 000 global deaths were attributed to congenital heart disease (CHD) in the year 2017, 69% of which occurred in infants 1.
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