Urban Environment Research Articles

Designing for health: A study of architecturally oriented models of public space

AbstractIn the post-pandemic period, cities are committed to creating healthier and more healing urban environments. In high-density urban environments, urban complexes are increasingly assuming the function of enriching the external space and activating the vitality of cities, and their architecturally oriented public spaces have great potential for the promotion of residents' health. However, current research on public space and health has focused on green spaces and neighborhoods, and has not yet systematically sorted out the pathways that influence how building-oriented public space can contribute to health. In order to fill the gap, this study attempt to establish a model of health-promoting architecturally oriented public space, which can provide a reference for the similar projects.

Fate and transport of viable Bacillus anthracis simulant spores in ambient air during a large outdoor decontamination field exercise

ABSTRACT The Wide Area Demonstration (WAD) was a field exercise conducted under the U.S. EPA’s Analysis of Coastal Operational Resiliency program, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard. The purpose of the WAD was to operationalize at field scale aspects of remediation activities that would occur following an outdoor release of Bacillus anthracis spores, including sampling and analysis, decontamination, data management, and waste management. The WAD was conducted in May 2022 at Fort Walker (formerly known as Fort A.P. Hill) and utilized Bacillus atrophaeus as a benign simulant for B. anthracis. B. atrophaeus spores were inoculated onto the study area at the beginning of the study, and air samples were collected daily during each of the different phases of the WAD using Dry Filter Units (DFUs). Ten DFU air samplers were placed at the perimeter of the study area to collect bioaerosols onto two parallel 47-mm diameter polyester felt filters, which were then subsequently analyzed in a microbiological laboratory for the quantification of B. atrophaeus. The study demonstrated the use of DFUs as a rugged and robust bioaerosol collection device. The results indicated that the highest B. atrophaeus spore air concentrations (up to ~ 5 colony forming units/m3) occurred at the beginning of the demonstration (e.g. during inoculation and characterization sampling phases) and generally downwind from the test site, suggesting transport of the spores was occurring from the study area. Very few B. atrophaeus spores were detected in the air after several weeks and following decontamination of exterior surfaces, thus providing an indication of the site decontamination procedures’ effectiveness. No B. atrophaeus spores were detected in any of the blank or background samples. Implications: Following an incident involving a release of Bacillus anthracis spores or other biological threat agent into the outdoor environment, understanding the factors that may affect the bioagent’s fate and transport can help predict viable contaminant spread via the ambient air. This paper provides scientific data for the first time on ambient air concentrations of bacterial spores over time and location during different phases of a field test in which Bacillus atrophaeus (surrogate for B. anthracis) spores were released outdoors as part of a full-scale study on sampling and decontamination in an urban environment. This study advances the knowledge related to the fate and transport of bacterial spores (such as those causing anthrax disease) as an aerosol in the outdoor environment over the course of three weeks in a mock urban environment and has exposure and health risk implications. The highest spore air concentrations occurred at the beginning of the study (e.g. during inoculation of surfaces and characterization sampling), and in the downwind direction, but diminished over time; few B. atrophaeus spores were detected in the air after several weeks and following decontamination. Therefore, in an actual incident, potential reaerosolization of the microorganism and subsequent transport in the air during surface sampling and remediation efforts should be considered for determining exclusion zone locations and estimating potential risk to neighboring communities. The data also provide evidence suggesting that the large-scale decontamination of outdoor surfaces may reduce air concentrations of the bioagent, which is important since exposure of B. anthracis via inhalation is a primary concern.

UAV Path Planning Based on Random Obstacle Training and Linear Soft Update of DRL in Dense Urban Environment

The three-dimensional (3D) path planning problem of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) considering the effect of environmental wind in a dense city is investigated in this paper. The mission of the UAV is to fly from its initial position to its destination while ensuring safe flight. The dense obstacle avoidance and the energy consumption in 3D space need to be considered during the mission, which are often ignored in common studies. To solve these problems, an improved Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) path planning algorithm based on Double Deep Q-Network (DDQN) is proposed in this paper. Among the algorithms, the random obstacle training method is first proposed to make the algorithm consider various flight scenarios more globally and comprehensively and improve the algorithm’s robustness and adaptability. Then, the linear soft update strategy is employed to realize the smooth neural network parameter update, which enhances the stability and convergence of the training. In addition, the wind disturbances are integrated into the energy consumption model and reward function, which can effectively describe the wind disturbances during the UAV mission to achieve the minimum drag flight. To prevent the neural network from interfering with training failures, the meritocracy mechanism is proposed to enhance the algorithm’s stability. The effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method are verified through simulation analysis and comparative studies. The UAV based on this algorithm has good autonomy and adaptability, which provides a new way to solve the UAV path planning problem in dense urban scenes.

Urban orchard in a megacity: formality and informality in China

ABSTRACT This anonymized Research Note reports qualitative observations and interview evidence to explore the operation of a U-pick lychee orchard located in China’s Pearl River Delta. Observation reveals the ironic juxtaposition of an owner-built cottage on a forested hillside surrounded by an intensively planned, densely populated urban environment featuring high-rise apartment towers. Field data show that informality, social networks, and petty entrepreneurialism are all manifest in urban agriculture, lychee production, labor, and land tenure. This Research Note illustrates the interstitial porosity that exists within the incorporated bounds of an urban area with informal economic activity adjacent to formal occupations and hillside orchards in the shadows of high-rise apartment towers.

Sustainable development in Mekong Delta, Vietnam: designing resilient cities based on landscape ecological principles

ABSTRACT Mekong Delta cities are increasingly degrading as a result of urbanization, flood control, and climate change. These cities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, and current flood control measures are not only inappropriate but also exacerbate the impacts of climate change and urbanization. A flood-resilient city is a solution; however, applying this idea to the actual urban environment through exposure to flood risk is not effective for long-term, sustainable development. This research evaluates landscape structure, changes in land use, and changes in economic, social, and cultural structure, thereby proposing rules for sustainable urban development planning. In addition, this research also suggests a comprehensive functional space plan for Cao Lanh City. This city plays a role as a case study that helps clarify the proposed rules for sustainable urban development planning for Mekong Delta cities in Vietnam.

Research on Environmental Performance Measurement and Influencing Factors of Key Cities in China Based on Super-Efficiency SBM-Tobit Model

In recent years, China has experienced significant economic growth and some degree of environmental pollution control. However, achieving a perfect balance between the environment and economic development remains a challenge. In order to seek solutions to this issue and promote the sustainable development of cities, this paper starts from the urban level, which is relatively lacking in existing research. Based on the panel data of urban indicators from 2013 to 2021, it quantifies the environmental performance of key cities using the slack-based measure (SBM) model of super-efficiency based on a non-expected output. Furthermore, it utilizes the Tobit panel regression model suitable for limited dependent variables to analyze the impact of driving factors on the environmental performance of key cities, and it further explores the reasons for the loss of urban environmental performance from the dual perspectives of inputs and outputs. The research findings indicate the following. (1) The average environmental performance of 30 key cities has shown an increasing trend but has not yet reached a valid state. The cities’ environmental performance rises in the range of [0.444, 0.821], indicating that there is room for improvement in urban environmental management. (2) Cities in the northeastern region of China have lagged behind the eastern, central, and western regions in terms of environmental performance over this nine-year period, and the redundancy of undesirable outputs is partly responsible for this decline. (3) The large proportion of the secondary industry, the number of vehicles on the road, and the population density have a significantly negative impact on urban environmental performance, while the per capita regional GDP and urban maintenance and construction funds make a positive difference. These research findings provide a scientific basis and valuable insights into urban environment performance enhancement and can serve as a reference for areas in need of balanced development between the urban environment and economic growth.

Comparison of urban physical environments and thermal properties extracted from unmanned aerial vehicle images and ENVI-met model simulations

Identifying the thermal properties of urban areas and integrating these properties into spatial planning is essential for sustainable development. Continuous and efficient improvements of urban thermal environments require novel studies, which are limited to date. This study addresses this gap by presenting a comparison of the physical environments and thermal properties of an urban area (Changwon National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea) based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and ENVI-met model simulations. We predicted the thermal environment of the study area using UAV images and explored the potential application of UAVs in spatial planning. The comparison revealed that the coefficient of determination (R2) between mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) values simulated by the ENVI-met model and predicted from UAV images was 0.168–0.320. Significant differences were observed in shaded areas and vegetated regions with tall trees, where UAVs encountered difficulties in collecting accurate information due to obstructed visibility. The discrepancies between the simulated and predicted Tmrt values highlight the limitations of UAVs in capturing data in shaded and densely vegetated areas, as well as disparities in the physical environments determined by the two methods. Despite these limitations, UAVs can be valuable tools for urban and environmental planning. Future advancements addressing these limitations may enable UAVs to efficiently diagnose urban thermal environments and guide improvement efforts.

Assessing the Influence of Vehicular Traffic-Associated Atmospheric Pollutants on Pulmonary Function Using Spirometry and Impulse Oscillometry in Healthy Participants: Insights from Bogotá, 2020–2021

Air pollution, particularly from particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (eBC), has been implicated in airway pathologies. This study aims to assess the relationship between exposure to these pollutants and respiratory function in various populations, including healthy individuals, while seeking an accurate assessment method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bogotá, evaluating respiratory function in the users of bicycles, minivans, and buses through spirometry and impulse oscillometry. Measurements were taken along two main avenues, assessing the PM2.5 and eBC concentrations. The results reveal higher pollutant levels on AVE KR 9, correlating with changes in oscillometry values post-travel. Cyclists exhibited differing pre- and post-travel values compared to bus and minivan users, suggesting aerobic exercise mitigates pollutant impacts. However, no statistically significant spirometry or impulse oscillometry variations were observed among routes or modes. Public transport and minivan users showed greater PM2.5 and eBC exposure, yet no significant changes associated with environmental contaminants were found in respiratory function values. These findings underscore the importance of further research on pollutant effects and respiratory health in urban environments, particularly concerning different transport modes.

Introducing a Scale for Measuring Attachment to Urban Green

Urban green contributes to enhanced well-being and overall quality of life in urban populations. The concept of place attachment provides an established avenue for exploring the intricate connections between urban environments and personal experiences. Building on the notion of place attachment, we investigated the perceptions of horizontal and vertical urban green by introducing a novel Urban Green Attachment (UGA) scale. A cross-sectional study using an online survey in German, measuring emotional, cognitive, and behavioral relations to urban vegetation, was conducted among 164 adult inhabitants of the Volkert quarter in Vienna, Austria. Using principal component analysis, we found that the UGA scale was a reliable measure of attachment to urban green, with ten items within the “attachment” factor. Study participants highly valued vertical green, but did not differentiate their attachment to it from horizontal greenery within the specific local context and by design of the measures we used. Thus, further studies and ethnographic investigations, preferentially accompanied by methods such as walking interviews, are needed to test the scale for other populations and settings. The UGA scale emerges as a valuable tool for advancing understanding in this critical area, given the current climate change-driven transformations of cities, building on the creation of green infrastructure.

A Spatial Analysis of Urban Tree Canopy Using High-Resolution Land Cover Data for Chattanooga, Tennessee

Urban tree canopy (UTC) provides urban residents with numerous benefits, including positive mental and physical health, the mitigation and prevention of urban heat islands, and a sense of place. Numerous studies have shown that as the wealth of a community decreases, so does the amount of UTC found in the community; thus, wealthier communities are more likely to enjoy the benefits that urban forests provide. Emerging technologies in remote sensing and GIS are allowing for new opportunities to study and understand the relationships between urban neighborhoods and UTC. In this study, land cover data for Chattanooga, Tennessee were derived from high-resolution (50 cm) multispectral imagery to assess the previously unknown extent and distribution of UTC and to measure the extent of UTC by neighborhood and census block group level. Using exploratory regression analysis, variables representing income, population density, race, educational attainment, and urban heat islands were analyzed to investigate the influence of UTC on neighborhood characteristics. This study found that UTC represented half of the total land cover composition, the tree equity was not as profound as shown in other cities, and the lack of UTC likely influences the prevalence of urban heat islands. This study also shows the importance and utility of using high-resolution imagery and land cover to assess and understand the impact and distribution of UTC in urban environments.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF CIVIL BUILDINGS USING BIM-TECHNOLOGIES

Problem statement. The peculiarities of the construction of civilian buildings consist in ensuring a reduction in energy consumption, costs for their maintenance and a harmonious combination with the urban environment; the cost reduction of buildings that are rented out; reducing the duration of civil buildings construction. In the process of building civil buildings, a large number of uncoordinated operations may occur, which lead to a decrease in the quality of the finished housing and material losses. Thanks to the use of BIM-technologies, it is possible to maximally take into account such inconsistent moments and make the construction process more efficient. Purpose of the article is to analyse the practical experience of BIM-technologies using for the construction and repair of civil buildings, including the use of concrete with polymer addmitures as a material for the repair of civil buildings from the point of view of increasing their service life. Conclusion. Today, the sphere of construction production is changing quite dynamically. More recently, there were no materials that would allow to achieve qualitatively different results. These are primarily polymer additives for concrete, which are currently available in large quantities. However, the use of polymer additives requires a full knowledge of their properties. This is necessary for the reason that such components, in case of non-compliance with the rules of their use, can nullify the efforts of all project participants. If you have a sufficient level of knowledge about the components used by this or that production, there are situations when weather conditions can radically change the result of construction work, but not always in a more favorable direction. It is important to take into account not only information about the interaction of many factors, but also the need to build a civil building that meets the thermal and technical characteristics of modern construction. Not only the profit from the planned project depends on this, but also the living conditions and comfort of many generations of the population of our country.

The Impact of Public Art Installations on Urban Recreation Spaces

Purpose: This study sought to examine the impact of public art installations on urban recreation sports. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to public art installations on urban recreation sports. Preliminary empirical review revealed that public art installations significantly enhanced the aesthetic appeal, social cohesion, cultural vibrancy, and economic vitality of urban recreation spaces. Through a comprehensive analysis of literature and empirical studies, it was found that artworks such as sculptures, murals, and interactive installations transformed urban environments into dynamic and engaging settings, fostering a sense of place and community identity. Moreover, public art installations promoted social interaction, community engagement, and economic activity, attracting visitors and stimulating commercial development. The study emphasized the importance of sustainable and inclusive approaches to public art planning and programming to maximize its positive impact on urban environments. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Environmental Psychology theory, Placemaking theory and Cultural Ecosysem Services theory may be used to anchor future studies on public art installations. The study suggested further research to deepen theoretical understanding and interdisciplinary frameworks for analyzing the role of public art. Practical implications included integrating public art into placemaking strategies, prioritizing community engagement, and adopting sustainable practices. Policy recommendations called for supportive frameworks, resource allocation, and awareness-building efforts to promote the social, cultural, and economic benefits of public art. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of evaluation, community capacity building, and professional development to strengthen the implementation and impact of public art initiatives in urban recreation spaces.

The Impact of Urban Green Spaces on Community Health and Well-being

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the impact of urban green spaces on community health and well- being. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the impact of urban green spaces on community health and well- being. Preliminary empirical review revealed that urban green spaces played a crucial role in enhancing the health and well-being of urban communities. Through a comprehensive review of literature and empirical evidence, the study found that green spaces positively influenced physical, mental, and social well-being. Access to green spaces was associated with increased physical activity levels, improved mental health outcomes, and enhanced social cohesion among residents. These findings underscored the importance of prioritizing investments in green infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to green spaces for all urban residents to promote healthier and more sustainable cities. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Biophilia Theory, Attention Restoration Theory and Social Determinants of Health Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of urban green spaces on community health and well- being. The study offered offered valuable recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy. It provided empirical evidence supporting theories like Biophilia and Attention Restoration, advocating for the integration of green spaces into urban environments. The recommendations emphasized equitable access to high-quality green infrastructure, community engagement in planning processes, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continued research and monitoring efforts. These recommendations aimed to inform evidence-based decision-making, promote community health and well-being, and create sustainable and resilient urban environments.

Women Harassment Safety

Raksha is a comprehensive mobile application designed to enhance the safety and security of women. Recognizing the growing concerns around women's safety, particularly in urban environments, Raksha leverages advanced technology to provide real-time assistance and support in emergency situations. Raksha is not just a tool for emergencies but a comprehensive platform for fostering a sense of security and empowerment among women. By combining cutting-edge technology with community support, Raksha aims to create a safer environment where women can live and travel with confidence.

Exploring recreational ecosystem services and influencing factors in megaparks using mobile phone data—Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta region

At the large scale, regions composed of multiple cities and large parks are important nodes in the regional ecological network system. They provide diversified Recreational Ecosystem Services (RES), which are key components of the regional open space system. Traditional data and methods for evaluating RES in large parks have not fully considered the interactions between visitors and urban physical space environments. This study, grounded in the Theory of the Delivery Chain, defines parks over 100 ha as “megaparks”, employs mobile phone signaling data to effectively distinguish between local and non-local visitors in megaparks in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. An index system was constructed to evaluate the RES effect of megaparks by measuring mobile check-in density, service radius, and turnover volume using Hierarchical Linear Regression (HLR) to reveal the relevant spatial influence factors of 677 megaparks. This study revealed that there are remarkable geographic and population differences in the RES effects of megaparks across cities in the Yangtze River Delta region. The turnover volume indicator can play an important role in measuring the RES of megaparks. Ten factors, including Internet users’ attention to parks, GDP per capita, Internet users’ attention to city, green coverage rates of megaparks, density of bus stations within a 500 m-buffer, the network distance to the administrative center, observable mountain or terrain fluctuations, landscape shape index, cultural heritage within the park, and supporting facilities around the park, have positive or negative impacts on the RES effect of megaparks, but none of the influencing factors worked simultaneously on the three indicators of mobile check-in density, service radius, and turnover volume of megaparks. We found that the turnover volume indicator is more advantageous in reflecting the spatial characteristics of RES in megaparks in a large-scale region, and the measurements are closer to traditional perceptions, which can serve as an important complement to the indicators of visitor mobile check-in density and service radius.

ARIMA Analysis of PM Concentrations during the COVID-19 Isolation in a High-Altitude Latin American Megacity

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a unique period of social isolation, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to scrutinize the influence of human activities on urban air quality. This study employs ARIMA models to explore the impact of COVID-19 isolation measures on the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in a high-altitude Latin American megacity (Bogota, Colombia). Three isolation scenarios were examined: strict (5 months), sectorized (1 months), and flexible (2 months). Our findings indicate that strict isolation measures exert a more pronounced effect on the short-term simulated concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 (PM10: −47.3%; PM2.5: −54%) compared to the long-term effects (PM10: −29.4%; PM2.5: −28.3%). The ARIMA models suggest that strict isolation measures tend to diminish the persistence of the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations over time, both in the short and long term. In the short term, strict isolation measures appear to augment the variation in the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, with a more substantial increase observed for PM2.5. Conversely, in the long term, these measures seem to reduce the variations in the PM concentrations, indicating a more stable behavior that is less susceptible to abrupt peaks. The differences in the reduction in the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations between the strict and flexible isolation scenarios were 23.8% and 12.8%, respectively. This research provides valuable insights into the potential for strategic isolation measures to improve the air quality in urban environments.

Trends in palliative care utilization among patients with ovarian cancer in the United States.

e24083 Background: Palliative care is a resource that is utilized for patients with serious illnesses to focus on symptom management, quality of life, and goals of care for patients and their families. It can be initiated at any point in illness course with benefit beginning as early as the time of diagnosis. This study's objective is to evaluate trends in inpatient palliative care utilization and associated factors in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2010-2020. Patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer and palliative care (PC) utilization were identified using ICD-10 codes. Chi square and t tests were used to evaluate differences between patients who received PC versus patients who did not. Multivariate and multinomial logistic regression was utilized to determine factors associated with PC use. Results: A total of 479,169 patients with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer were included, of which 58,970 (12.3%) utilized inpatient PC. Between 2010 and 2020, there was a significant upwards trend in PC usage in patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer from 6.9% to 18.1%. Median age of patients using PC was 67 compared to 65 among those not using PC (p < 0.001). PC utilization was more prevalent among patients with a diagnosis of depression (8.7% v 6.4%; p < 0.001), Black race (12.4% v 10.3%; p < 0.001), in urban environments (94.0% v 92.2%; p < 0.001), and those at hospitals designated as teaching status (72.4% v 66.8%; p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression analysis, the odds of palliative care utilization were 1.59times higher (p < 0.001) for patients with moderate loss of function compared to patients with minor loss of function. Patients with hospital stays 0-3 days were more likely to utilize palliative care compared to 4-7 days (p < 0.001) Multinomial logistic regression for disposition among patients using palliative care to additional care versus routine care was 1.59 times higher in patients with 8+ days hospital stay compared to 4-7 days. For those with shorter stays of 1-3 days versus 4-7 days patients were 1.65 times more likely to die versus routine care. Conclusions: The use of inpatient PC for patients with ovarian cancer increased over time. Palliative care utilization was associated with older age, Black race, depression, and treatment in urban environments or in teaching hospitals. The utilization of inpatient palliative care was higher in patients with more extreme losses of function. These patients were more likely to have shorter lengths of stay due to a higher disposition of death over routine care. Given these findings, patients receiving palliative care may be sicker and closer to the end of life than those who do not. Although there have been higher rates of inpatient palliative care over time, there is still room for earlier implementation.

Spatiotemporal variation and evolutionary analysis of the coupling coordination between urban social-economic development and ecological environments in the Yangtze River Delta cities

When the process of urbanization has brought economic benefits in Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), the environmental issues become increasingly prominent. The evolutionary coupled coordination degree (CCD) between urban social economy and ecological environments was explored in 41 cities of YREB. Results indicated that the overall CCD between urban social economy and ecological environments showed a fluctuating upward trend from 2010 to 2020 in YREB. The CCD of Shanghai was the best among these of 41 cities, while those of three provinces were lower than the average CCD of YREB. There were significant differentiated spatial clusters of high and low among these YREB cities in both the global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses during 2010–2020. The CCD estimations indicated a fitted spatial distribution of "high in the east and low in the west" in YREB. Furthermore, CCD was positively influenced by the urban density of population, economic acceleration and technical advancement (P < 0.01), while it was negatively influenced by the urban industrial structures and energy consumption (P < 0.01). Subsequently, corresponding policy implications and recommendations, including enhancing policy innovation and promoting technological progress, were proposed to facilitate the formulation of evidence-based developmental strategies and policies of sustainable cities and society in YREB.

Leptospira borgptersenii and Leptospira interrogans identified in wild mammals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Leptospira spp. are bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease with considerable impacts on the economy, animal health, and public health. This disease has a global distribution and is particularly prevalent in Brazil. Both rural and urban environments are habitats for Leptospira spp., which are primarily transmitted through contact with the urine of infected animals. Consequently, domestic and wild species can harbor these prokaryotes and serve as infection sources for other hosts. In the context of wild animals, there is a dearth of molecular studies elucidating the roles of various animal and bacterial species in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of Leptospira spp. DNA in different species of free-living and captive wild animals and to assess the phylogenetic relationships of the identified microorganisms in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The samples were evaluated for the presence of the gene lipL32 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the amplified fragment after which phylogenetic analyzes were carried out. DNA from Leptospira spp. was extracted from kidney tissue from wild animals (Mammalia class). Pathogenic Leptospira spp. DNA was detected in 9.6% (11/114) of the samples, originating from nine species of wild animals, including the white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris), skunk (Conepatus chinga), geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), margay (Leopardus wiedii), pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis), and european hare (Lepus europaeus). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of Leptospira borgpetersenii and Leptospira interrogans in these animals. This research is the first study contributing to the epidemiology of leptospirosis by identifying L. borgpetersenii and L. interrogans in free-living and captive wild animals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, potentially acting as bacterial reservoirs. Additionally, our findings can inform sanitary measures for controlling and preventing the disease, thereby safeguarding public health.

Distribution widening of a ground-nesting social bee across Europe favored by climate change and urban setting

Climate change and/or land use change were repeatedly reported as important for both range expansion of alien bee species and range shrinking for native bee species. However, environmental changes may also positively affect native species that may expand across contiguous areas to their native ones. Here, we focused on Halictus scabiosae (Rossi, 1790) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), a ground-nesting, primitively eusocial wild bee that has its primary distribution in Western-Southern Europe but that was recently recorded in Eastern-Central Europe. In particular, we studied the range expansion patterns of H. scabiosae, and we hypothesized that previously unsuitable areas may be currently colonized because of environmental changes. In the last 5 years, H. scabiosae moved its densest record areas to North-Eastern Europe, but its ecological niche remained almost unchanged from 1970 to date, suggesting that this bee species is following its preferred conditions (high temperature, high temperature seasonality, and low precipitation seasonality). Potential distribution models revealed high suitability in still unoccupied North-Eastern areas, with urbanization increasingly important as potential stepping stones towards the expansion. The relevant role of urbanization is confirmed by the increase in the number of urban records through time and by the fact that cities with greater population density and greater fragmentation are more likely associated with this species’ occurrence. Halictus scabiosae is thus expanding its range because climate change is producing—and urban environment is offering—suitable conditions in areas previously inadequate for its establishment.