Inhabitants Of Urban Areas Research Articles

Bird Exploitation and Chicken Size in the Late Medieval and Early Modern Periods in Continental Croatia

The significance of birds in the medieval human diet has been greatly explored in Europe. However, there is a lack of systematic analysis of data from Croatia. Avian remains dated to the Late Medieval and Early Modern Periods from five archaeological sites in continental Croatia underwent skeletal and taxonomic analysis. Age groups were determined and sex identification was conducted using visual and X-ray diagnostics. Chicken bone measurements were taken, and the logarithmic size index (LSI) technique was performed. Statistical analysis was applied to explore differences between sites. A total of 694 avian remains were studied, revealing 10 species/genera. Avian remains ranged from 8.88% to 20.32% across sites, with the highest percentage found at the urban site BAN. Hens outnumbered cockerels across all sites, with adult chickens prevailing over immature and subadult ones. Chicken sizes were generally consistent across sites, except for castle MIL, where a larger breed was identified. Cockerels tended to be larger than hens, except for one small-sized spurred specimen. To conclude, bird exploitation complemented the use of other animals in diets. Chickens were vital for eggs and meat, with monasteries excelling in bird husbandry over castles. Inhabitants of urban areas mainly consumed bird meat. Castles showed high status through game and imported birds. The aim of this article was to fill in the gap of information regarding the exploitation and consumption of birds at Croatian sites during the Late Medieval and Early Modern Periods.

Social impact of decarbonization objectives through smart homes: Survey and analysis

The technological development and economic growth of renewable energy are the key solution for almost full decarbonization of the energy systems. The sustainability and energy efficiency, artificial intelligence and connectivity will be the determining elements towards reaching this ambitious goal. Household appliances and tools for controlling energy consumption, temperature, lighting, etc. In the smart home will play a key role to increase awareness of families' energy consumption. IoT (Internet of Things) devices for the smart home allow us to monitor consumption and pay attention to efficiently energy use. However, savings are not the only important element of the smart home. Together with the digital control of the home these are elements that include a fundamental dimension: decarbonization, which is the cornerstone of the energy transition, which must involve an epochal change of mentality to our society where digitalization and people's well-being meet. The paper deals with social analysis of large cities population perception on integrating renewable energy sources and necessary devices to transform existing houses in smart homes towards economic wellbeing and decarbonization of the energy sector. Different classes of respondents were interviewed – owned and rented fome, rural and urban inhabitants, different segments of age, various number of inhabitants in urban areas and the capital, women and men, high-income and low-income, different levels of education – to support or disregard smart home technological development and reveal the different perception towards further usage of smart devices for daily benefits.

Représentations sociales de l’incontinence urinaire : une enquête auprès de la population française

Urinary incontinence is a major public health problem. Although, as a condition, it is well documented in the literature, there is little information on its social representations. The study of its representations could make it possible to improve the way it is handled and the treatment suffers receive. The aim of this study was to understand the representations of the general French population on the subject of urinary incontinence. This involved carrying out a declarative quantitative study using questionnaires. To do this, 1803 people were surveyed all over France. First, a descriptive statistical analysis was carried out using the participants’ socio-demographic data. Second, a logistic regression-type association was made between the dependent and independent variables. Urinary incontinence elicits a certain level of disgust in the general population. Still a taboo subject, it seems to be of little interest to some members of the population. The condition is also often poorly understood, especially by men, the younger generations, and the inhabitants of urban areas in western France. This quantitative study helped shed key light on the French population’s perceptions of urinary incontinence and the methods of prevention available. It also helped determine the participant profiles associated with these representations. Going forward, it seems worthwhile to focus on informing and educating these populations on the subject.

Diagnosis of the Water Access Situation in the Neighborhood of Canudos, Belém – PA

Purpose: This work aims to develop a water indicator, using the IPH (Water Poverty Index) method that can evaluate the situation of access and use of water by inhabitants of urban areas in the North region, especially in the city of Belém – PA. Theoretical framework: Access to safe drinking water, despite being a basic human right, has not been extended to all individuals, as regions with high water availability suffer from problems with access and quality of the resource offered. The Northern region of Brazil concentrates 81% of the country's water availability, however, this region presents divergent scenarios regarding access to water resources. Method/design/approach: For the methodology used in this study, variables were selected that cover the dimensions: Capacity, Water Resources, Use, Access and Environment; the Delphi methodology was also used to develop the quantification of the data obtained to determine the IPH. Results and conclusion: As a result of the field visits, we came across several complaints from neighborhood residents about the quality of the water supply service. It was concluded that the water situation in the neighborhood, despite the great availability of resources, is uncomfortable, requiring improvements in management. Research implications: The research follows a line of importance for the management of water and health issues in the city of Belém, being carried out later in other neighborhoods of the capital. Originality: The study contributes to the knowledge of water realities in the city of Belém, and shows the contrast between availability and access to water resources.

Who wants to change their transport habits to help reduce air pollution? A nationwide study in the caribbean

Given its detrimental role in sustainability and community health, air pollution constitutes a global challenge nowadays, and urban transport has been proven to be a key contributor to the problem. At a population level, and especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), measures for reducing contamination usually require deep behavioral changes and “sacrifices” among individuals who may (or may not) be willing to modify their habits. ObjectiveThis research, conducted in the Dominican Republic, aimed to assess the effect of individual factors, transport habits, and pollution-related concerns on the individual's will to act to reduce air pollution. MethodsFor this study, we counted on the participation of a nationwide sample of 1250 adult Dominican citizens (50% females; 50% males) with a mean age of 36.7 years. ResultsOverall, Dominicans tend to self-report a considerably high concern about transport air pollution, especially among women and inhabitants of urban areas. The willingness to act was significantly influenced by demographic factors, travel frequency, and pollution-related concerns. Also, both individual and socially perceived environmental concerns exert a statistical mediation between individual factors and the self-reported predisposition to help reduce pollution through behavioral changes. ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that both individual and social pollution-related concerns influence the personal willingness to act against air pollution, although in different ways. Interestingly, while peoples' own concerns increase their willingness to act, solely perceiving a greater collective concern seems to dispirit individuals’ will to take further action. Accordingly, developing further individual and collective initiatives to increase pollution-related responsiveness could be essential to face this growing problem in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean.

Temporal Trends, Socio-Economic Inequalities in Obesity and Responses by Federal Government, Nepal: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies, Policies, Strategies and Plans, 2005-2019

Introduction: Obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in low-income countries like Nepal, where maternal and child under-nutrition has reduced steadily. However, synthesised evidence on transition to obesity remains unavailable. We assessed trends and disparities in obesity occurrence, and examined central government’s policies and programmes. Methods: We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1, 2005 and April 10, 2019, and websites of Demographic and Health Survey, Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Survey, and Micronutrient Status Survey. We synthesised obesity and overweight prevalence data from the selected studies, narratively; and disaggregated latest proportions from nation-wide surveys by gender, geographical location and household wealth quintile. We charted obesity related actions from policies, strategies and plans; obtained through the websites of health ministry and government’s planning commission. Results: Twenty studies with data from 79,082 men and women aged 15 years or more and 11,866 children under five years, were included. Obesity or overweight among men and women increased from 20.0% in 2004 to 36.1% in 2016. Obesity alone rose from 5.3% to 7.5%. National average prevalence of childhood obesity or overweight remained very low. Overweight and obesity were more common among women, inhabitants of urban areas and central provinces, and the affluent. Governmental policies, strategies and plans on nutrition were primarily designed to control under-nutrition, with implications for preventing obesity. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity increased substantially between 2005 and 2019, disproportionately affecting socio-economic and geographical groups. Governmental nutritional strategies should consider addressing obesogenic environments.

Dim Light at Night Promotes Circadian Disruption in Female Rats, at the Metabolic, Reproductive, and Behavioral Level.

Inhabitants of urban areas are constantly exposed to light at night, which is an important environmental factor leading to circadian disruption. Streetlights filtering light through the windows and night dim light lamps are common sources of dim light at night (DLAN). The female population is susceptible to circadian disruption. The present study is aimed to determine the impact of DLAN on female Wistar rats circadian rhythms, metabolism, reproductive physiology, and behavior. After 5weeks of DLAN exposure daily, oscillations in activity and body temperature of female rats are abolished. DLAN also decreases nocturnal food ingestion, which results in a diminishment in total food consumption. These alterations in the temporal organization of the body are associated with a significant decrease in melatonin plasmatic levels, reproductive disruptions, decreased exploration times, and marked anhedonia. This study highlights the importance of avoiding exposure to light at night, even at low intensities, to maintain the circadian organization of physiology, and denotes the great necessity of increasing the studies in females since the sexual dimorphism within the effects of desynchronizing protocols has been poorly studied.

Distributional effects from policies for reduced CO2-emissions from car use in 2030

• Distributional effects of car-related taxes are estimated. • Focus on fuel taxes and bonus-malus. • People in rural areas are more hurt by car-related taxes than urban residents. • Fuel taxes are slightly less regressive than bonus-malus scheme. We analyze the distributional effects, from car use and car choice adaptation to three car-related policy instruments intended to reduce CO 2 emissions in Sweden to 2030: fossil-fuel taxes, a bonus-malus system for new cars, and mandated biofuel blending. The results show that even with a fast introduction of plug-in electric vehicles, many fossil cars remain, which has important distributional consequences. The fuel tax and the bonus-malus scenarios impose further burdens compared to the reference scenario. The fraction of each population group incurring substantial welfare losses is higher the lower the income. In 2030, the highest-income group can avoid some adaptation costs by their car choice. In all scenarios rural areas bear the largest burden, smaller urban areas the second largest burden, and the largest urban areas the smallest burden. Thus, individuals with high incomes and inhabitants in urban areas appear to have more opportunities to adapt and avoid welfare losses.

Specificity of Meteorological and Biometeorological Conditions in Central Europe in Centre of Urban Areas in June 2019 (Bydgoszcz, Poland)

The work describes diurnal meteorological and biometeorological conditions in June 2019 in the urban areas of Central Europe. UTCI, STI, Oh_H, WL, and OV indices were calculated based on 24-h data from Bydgoszcz (Poland) for hot days. The degree of risk connected with heat stress of different intensities, risk of hyperthermia, body water loss, and decreased oxygen volume was determined. The studies showed that June 2019 was an example of an extreme situation with a heatwave that generated high stress for the inhabitants of urban areas. The conditions were burdensome mostly due to “very strong” and “strong” heat stress and periodic risk of dehydration, situations that could quickly lead to overheating of the body and a decreased oxygen volume leading to stress.

Exploring the relationship between high-resolution aerosol optical depth values and ground-level particulate matter concentrations in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo

The spatiotemporal pattern of particulate matter (PM) concentrations is an important factor in predicting health issues in inhabitants of urban areas. The integration of satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) data with ground-level PM concentration data, obtained from monitoring networks, has contributed to better characterization of the spatiotemporal variability of aerosols worldwide. However, before using satellite AOD data as a proxy for PM in epidemiological and air quality studies in specific regions, the applicability of that strategy must be evaluated. In this study, we evaluate the use of the high-resolution AOD, derived from Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm, as a predictor of surface PM concentrations in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP). We found relatively weak or negative correlations between PM concentrations and MAIAC AOD, even after vertical correction by planetary boundary layer height and the hygroscopic growth factor. The weak correlations reported in this study are mainly due to the mismatch between the current MAIAC aerosol model and the properties of local aerosols in the MASP. Our results suggest that sources of aerosol particles in the MASP are quite diverse and that there is therefore no single optical model suitable for use with satellite-derived AOD.

The epidemiology of cholera in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1965-2014.

Cholera is endemic in the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to surveillance system records and historical documents, cholera epidemics have led to thousands of deaths throughout the country in past centuries. The aim of this study was an overview of cholera disease during the last 5 decades (1965-2014) and the epidemiological features of the most recent large-scale outbreaks. In this descriptive study, cholera incidence data provided by the National Surveillance Database were extracted and significant fluctuating trends for 1965-2014 were tested using the Cochran-Armitage test. To identify the factors most associated with cholera incidence in the outbreaks, adjusted odds ratios were computed by ordinal logistic regression. Analysis of data has shown a tremendous decrease in incidence trends, from 19.7/100 000 to 0.01/100 000 over the 9 cholera epidemics that occurred at 5-6 year intervals during 1965-2014. Younger age groups (15-44 years) and inhabitants in urban areas have been more vulnerable to cholera in recent epidemics. The virulence of the pathogen and the case fatality rates have not changed during the last 3 epidemics. The burden of cholera in terms of case load has dramatically reduced during 1965-2014. Furthermore, the epidemiological feature of cholera with regard to transmission route, domicile, age, immigration, mortality and antimicrobial resistance has changed considerably in recent epidemics. While the number of epidemic regions has diminished, some areas are still susceptible to cholera outbreaks.

Validation of the Sexual Personal Well-being Index (PWI-Sex)

Objective: The purpose of this study is the validation of a proposed additional item for the PWI-7 scale for measuring sexual satisfaction as a dimension of Personal Well-being.Methodology: An adaptation of the PWI-7 questionnaire was administered to adult inhabitants of urban areas of Santiago, Chile. Analysis consisted of exposition of descriptive statistics, item-scale correlation, item-item correlation, multiple linear regression with the Overall Life Satisfaction Scale (OLS), moderation analysis and, confirmatory factor analysis. All analyses were divided by gender due to significant differences in sexual satisfaction found in literature reviewed.Results: All items were significantly and positively associated with the PWI. Internal consistency was satisfactory for Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.884 for males and α = 0.877 for females). After conducting a Confirmatory Factor Analysis using maximum likelihood (ML) as estimator, adequate levels of adjustment were obtained.Discussion: Results indicate that adding a new item on sexual satisfaction might be a contribution for the measurement of life satisfaction. The scale shows adequate internal consistency once the item is added and the new item on sexual satisfaction has a better fit than the one regarding satisfaction with spiritual life. Factor structure was invariant for males and females.

Low-income and overweight in China: Evidence from a life-course utility model

Previous literature has demonstrated that low-income people are more likely to settle for poor health choices in developed countries. By using income as a budget constraint and signal for future wellbeing in a life-course utility model, we examine the association amongst income and overweight. The data used for this study are from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Estimations are conducted for overweight initiation, cessation, and participation mirroring a decision to begin and a past decision to not terminate. Our findings propose that body weight and the likelihood of overweight commencement rise with additional income but at a diminishing degree, representing a concave relation; while the likelihood of overweight discontinuance declines with additional income but at an accelerating degree, suggesting a convex relation. We presume that, as opposed to developed countries, low-income people are less inclined to be overweight in China, a country in transition. This could be explained by an income constraint for unhealthy foodstuff. Nevertheless, it will switch when income surpasses the critical threshold of the concave or inverted U-shape curve indicating that low-income people appear to receive not as much utility from future health. Specifically, this adjustment seems to occur earlier for females and inhabitants of urban areas.

Measuring the Change Towards More Sustainable Mobility: MUV Impact Evaluation Approach

Urban areas can be considered the ground for the challenges related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of shaping cities as human settlement that will see a more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable future is often argued in literature as an issue dependent on behavioral change of inhabitants in urban areas. In this paper, the authors question if experimental applications based on gamification can co-produce more sustainable neighborhoods through an impact evaluation method that departs from individual choices within the complex of urban mobility. This investigation is carried out within MUV (Mobility Urban Values), an EU research and innovation project, which aims to trigger more sustainable urban mobility in six pilot cities. This article describes the critical method of validation, an impact assessment of the MUV experimental gamification in the pilot cities, in order to represent a proof for future urban strategies. This methodological approach is based on an evaluation structured on indicators of both impact and process suitable for urban contexts. As based on six pilot cities, with possibilities for transferability to other contexts and scalability to other cities, the method represents a reference work for the evaluation of similar experimental applications.

Impact of Land Use on Concentrations of Potentially Toxic Elements in Urban Soils of Lagos, Nigeria.

Background.Among soil contaminants, potentially toxic elements (PTE) are of major significance because they are ubiquitous, toxic and persistent. Chronic exposure of humans to these elements has been linked with developmental delay, cancer, atherosclerosis and kidney damage, stomach ailments, respiratory problems, heart disease and cancer.Objectives.The present study aims to investigate current PTE concentrations in urban soils of Lagos, an example of a rapidly urbanizing megacity in a developing country. The variation in PTE (chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)) levels across different land use types was examined. Information from this study will be useful in the ranking of contaminated sites, environmental quality management, guidance for remediation, redevelopment of contaminated sites and will provide crucial information for general urban planning decisions.Methods.Five areas spread across four local government areas were selected, representing different socio-economic areas of Lagos (Victoria Island, Lagos mainland, Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye and Makoko). Sampling locations within the study areas were comprised of school playgrounds, roadsides, ornamental gardens, open spaces, train stations, industrial estates and dump sites. A total of 126 samples were collected.Results.The overall mean levels of PTE concentrations in this study were comparable to those found in large European cities where main pollution sources include traffic and current or former heavy manufacturing industries.Conclusions.Regulation and legislation on environmental issues, including effective solid waste management strategies and enforcement of emission standards should be emphasized in order to reduce the impact of PTE pollution on the inhabitants of urban areas in developing countries.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests

Selected issues and challenges of Bangalore metropolitan — A critical analysis

Since about the year 2000, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban or highly urbanized areas (Swanson, 2007). An urban environment is the region surrounding a city. Most inhabitants of urban areas have non-agricultural jobs. Urban issues and challenges are grouped under two broad categories. Firstly, internal problems affect the city area and its inhabitants: and secondly, the external issues that impact the area and people on its fringe area or umland. Bengaluru is the second-fastest-growing city in Asia. Today Bengaluru is facing many issues and challenges because of the fastest growth of Urbanization. Bengaluru has a vast number of opportunities in terms of employment, education, investment, and favorable climatic conditions attracting people from various places. This research paper aims to crucially analyse the selected issues and challenges of Bangalore Metropolitan. The data for the research has been obtained from spatial and non-spatial data sources. Secondary data have been used to write the research papers. Geospatial technology has used to prepare the maps. Keywords Issues, challenges, metropolitan

Consumo de productos forestales no madereros en el ámbito urbano: el caso de harinas de frutos de árboles de bosques nativos en el norte de Argentina

Introducción: el artículo es producto de la investigación “Desarrollo tecnológico del tratamiento post recolección y la producción de harinas de frutos provenientes del Monte Nativo de Santiago del Estero (a escala piloto)”, que se realizó en la Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias de la Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero durante el 2015. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el consumo actual y potencial de productos forestales madereros y no madereros de bosques nativos por pobladores de la ciudad de Santiago del Estero, así como la disposición a pagar por ellos. Metodología: se diseñó un instrumento de recolección de datos basado en una encuesta que se aplicó a 609 consumidores reales y potenciales de productos relacionados a frutos del monte y productos derivados como harinas, dulces y bebidas. Resultados: el fruto más consumido es la algarroba, luego el mistol y el chañar. En cuanto a los derivados como arropes y harinas, prevalecen también los de algarroba. Hay una alta frecuencia de casos que manifiestan que probarían y consumirían productos enriquecidos con frutos nativos. Existe voluntad de pago adicional por productos con harinas de frutos del monte en un 63% de los encuestados. Conclusión: los pobladores de áreas urbanas en la provincia de Santiago del Estero consumen productos forestales no madereros, especialmente frutos y harinas derivadas de estos, provenientes de los bosques nativos de la provincia.

Hallazgos sobre la educación en Bogotá con base en la encuesta Multipropósito 2014

En este escrito se presenta un estudio de la temática sobre educación de la Encuesta Multipropósito del año 2014 financiada por la Secretaría Distrital de Planeación de la ciudad de Bogotá y desarrollada por el Departamento Nacional de Estadísticas. Este estudio se concentra en determinar las principales razones por las que los bogotanos en edad de estudiar no lo hacían al momento de la encuesta y en caracterizar los niveles educativos de los jefes de hogar y su esposo o compañero como adultos referentes en los hogares encuestados. La encuesta se aplicó a una muestra de 61.725 personas, que según el diseño muestral representan a 7.794.463 bogotanos habitantes de áreas urbanas. Usando técnicas descriptivas y de minería de datos, se afirma que las dos principales razones para no estudiar son la falta de dinero y la necesidad de trabajar. Además de que el estado civil es un predictor más determinante que el sexo o el estrato socioeconómico. Las personas solteras tienen motivación para obtener un título universitario cuando han tenido acceso a la educación superior en algún momento de su vida. Al estudiar la información de los jefes de hogar se observó un comportamiento similar pues las razones para no estudiar fueron prácticamente las mismas. El embarazo no planeado y formar pareja no son razones destacadas.Â

Forest Beliefs in an Urbanizing World: Views on and Usage of Forest Areas Among Persons with and Without a Migration Biography in Germany and Sweden

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have shown that environmental values of inhabitants of urban areas differ to some extent from those of people living in rural contexts. In the light of increasing urbanization, it is sometimes argued that these differences are becoming even greater, as people are becoming more and more alienated from nature. In the context of a larger survey study on beliefs about forests and forest management among the general public in Germany and Sweden, the influences of people’s migration biographies on their patterns of forest usage, their environmental concerns about forests, and the expectations and values they ascribe to forests are explored. While previous findings on differences between urban and rural populations are confirmed, we also find variation within these groups depending on their history of moving between the two spatial categories. This study thus adds a dynamic aspect to the discussion on the urban–rural perspective on beliefs about forests.

Withdrawal from bariatric treatment - an analysis under various demographic conditions.

Documentation of 115 subsequent patients diagnosed with grade 3 obesity, considered eligible for surgical treatment, was analysed since 2015. A subgroup of 68 patients was selected from this group and the included patients who decided to cancel their treatment at various stages. Their history since presentation at the obesity treatment centre, BMI with its history, age, education and place of residence were analysed, followed by a telephone survey. 42 patients were finally contacted. Special attention was placed on the analysis of patients taking into account their place of residence. Patients were divided into inhabitants of rural and urban areas. In the study group of 68 patients, 19 (27.9%) were inhabitants of rural areas and 49 (72.1%) of urban areas. Women accounted for 67.6%, and men for 32.4%. The mean age of patients when they presented for treatment was 43 years. On average, men presented 5 years later compared to women. The mean BMI on qualification for treatment of obesity was 47.6 kg/m2. The mean BMI max - 49.6 kg/m2. There were no differences regarding education in both populations. Despite the lack of differences regarding changes in the BMI since withdrawal from treatment, as many as 63% of patients from rural areas reached the BMI max in this time. There were demographic differences between the degree of obesity observed among patients receiving bariatric treatment, and inhabitants of urban areas were favoured. Patients from rural areas who withdrew from bariatric treatment and were left without medical care significantly more often achieved their maximum body weight, when compared to those living in urban areas. The active participation of physicians, both specialists and general practitioners, in the life of obese patients is imperative.