Changes in nesting sites abundance and their use by woodpeckers along an urban gradient: a ten-year comparison

Woodpeckers nesting substrate abundance may be reduced by urban expansion, negatively affecting their reproduction. Long-term studies in the tropics are rare but valuable to estimate how urban development has affected ecological communities. We present a ten-year comparison on nesting substrate abundance and their use by Melanerpes rubricapillus and M. chrysauchen woodpeckers along an urban gradient in Golfito, Costa Rica; which include three habitats and three substrates (snags, palms, and posts). Conditions remained unchanged in non-urban areas. In semi-urban areas, snag, posts, and nests on them, have decreased. In urban areas, despite snags and posts remaining constant, their use also decreased. In semi-urban and urban areas, palms and palm nests increased. This long term comparison indicates that woodpeckers took advantage of the increased presence of ornamental palms in gardens.

La abundancia de sustratos para anidación de pájaras carpinteros puede reducirse debido a la expansión urbana, afectando negativamente su reproducción. Los estudios a largo plazo en los trópicos son escazos, pero valiosos para estimar cómo el desarrollo urbano ha afectado las comunidades ecológicas. Presentamos una comparación de diez años sobre la abundancia y uso de sustratos de anidación de los carpinteros Melanerpes rubricapillus y M. chrysauchen en un gradiente urbano en Golfito, Costa Rica; que incluye tres hábitats y tres sustratos (tocones, palmas y postes). Las condiciones permanecieron similares en áreas no urbanas. En las áreas semi urbanas, los postes y tocones, así como los nidos en ellos disminuyeron. En áreas urbanas, a pesar de que los postes permanecieron constantes, su uso disminuyó. En las áreas semi urbanas y urbanas, la cantidad de palmas y de nidos en estas aumentó. Esta comparación a largo plazo indica que los carpinteros tomaron ventaja del aumento en la presencia de palmas ornamentales en los jardines.

Effectiveness of Gong’s mobilization in cervical spondylosis: a prospective comparative study.

Background: Cervical spondylosis is a general term that refers to the degenerative changes that develop either spontaneously with age, or secondarily as the result of trauma or other pathological condition. The symptoms of cervical spondylosis include pain which might be radiating or localized in the neck, limitation of neck movements, postural abnormalities. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate effectiveness of Gong’s Mobilization in the relief of pain, improvement in range of motion and functions in individuals with cervical spondylosis. Methods: Thirty subjects (19 male and 11 female) randomly allocated in two groups (Group A and B) using the coin method. Group A received Gong’s mobilization along with hydro collator packs and isometric exercises, group B received Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs) along with hydro collator packs and isometric exercises. The treatment period lasted 4 weeks in total. Pain on visual analogue scale, Range Of Motion (ROM) by universal goniometer and functional disability on neck disability index was assessed on day one pre and post intervention at the end of two weeks and end of 4th week. Results: The findings of this study suggest that both the interventions are effective in reducing pain, improving ROM and decreasing the level of disability but particularly the Gong’s mobilization is more effective (P <0.01) in correcting posture, reducing pain, improving ROM and decreasing the level of disability. Conclusions: Gong’s mobilization can be utilized in the treatment of cervical spondylosis.