Reaching new lands: Updating the distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in South America with the first record in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Angiostrongylus cantonensis, commonly known as the rat lungworm, is a metastrongyloid nematode found primarily not only in tropical and subtropical regions but also in temperate areas and considered the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Synanthropic rodents such as Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus are the most frequent definitive hosts of this parasite. METHODS AND RESULTS: The presence of this parasite was detected in the pulmonary arteries of three specimens of R. norvegicus in the city of Buenos Aires representing the species' southernmost known record in natural hosts. Species confirmation was achieved through partial sequences of 18S and COI genes. By comparing the COI gene sequences with those available in GenBank through the construction of a haplotype network, we obtained that the analysed specimen presents high similarity with those reported in Japan and Southeast Asia. CONCLUSIONS: All infected rats were captured in an area surrounding a port with significant import and export activity, suggesting that A. cantonensis may have been introduced through commercial ships. Specifically, the parasite was detected in a neighbourhood with vulnerable socio-economic conditions and in a nature reserve, which exhibit biotic and abiotic characteristics conducive to sustaining high-density rat populations, scattered waste, areas of spontaneous vegetation, debris accumulation and flooded areas or lagoons offering suitable habitats for intermediate hosts such as snails. Thus, the close proximity of the port to these sites creates a favourable ecological context for the establishment of A. cantonensis. This study shows the need to conduct research to detect A. cantonensis in non-endemic areas but with the characteristics that promote its arrival and development of its life cycle in order to implement control measures to prevent expansion of this parasite and its transmission to humans and other animals.

Quantifying the contribution of environmental variables to cyclists' exposure to PM2.5 using machine learning techniques.

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to travel-related exposure to air pollution. Understanding the factors that increase exposure is crucial for promoting healthier urban environments. Machine learning models have successfully predicted air pollutant concentrations, but they tend to be less interpretable than classical statistical ones, such as linear models. This study aimed to develop a predictive model to assess cyclists' exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban environments. The model was generated using geo-temporally referenced data and machine learning techniques. We explored several models and found that the gradient boosting machine learning model best fitted the PM2.5 predictions, with a minimum root mean square error value of 5.62 µg m-3. The variables with greatest influence on cyclist exposure were the temporal ones (month, day of the week, and time of the day), followed by meteorological variables, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and atmospheric pressure. Additionally, we considered relevant attributes, which are partially linked to spatial characteristics. These attributes encompass street typology, vegetation density, and the flow of vehicles on a particular street, which quantifies the number of vehicles passing a given point per minute. Mean PM2.5 concentration was lower in bicycle paths away from vehicular traffic than in bike lanes along streets. These outcomes underscore the need to thoughtfully design public transportation routes, including bus routes, concerning the network of bicycle pathways. Such strategic planning attempts to improve the air quality in urban landscapes.

Blood meal sources of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in domestic and open green environments from two urbanisations of temperate Argentina.

Understanding the blood-feeding patterns of mosquitoes is essential for evaluating their potential as disease vectors, especially in urban areas where mosquitoes coexist with humans, domestic animals and wildlife. This study aimed to bridge a substantial gap in regional knowledge by identifying the blood meal sources of field-collected mosquitoes in domestic and open green environments from two urbanisations of temperate Argentina, the Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (AMBA) and Tandil, using molecular techniques. Female mosquitoes were collected from November 2019 to March 2020 and April-May 2021. A bipartite network analysis was performed for each environment and urbanisation. A total of 103 blood meals from Aedes (2 species) and Culex (7 species) were identified. Among these, five mammal and 18 bird species were recognised as hosts. Aedes mosquitoes exclusively fed on mammals, while Culex mosquitoes exhibited a broader host range including both birds and mammals. In AMBA, the open green environments were composed by more mosquito species than the domestic environments, while both presented similar numbers of vertebrate species. In contrast, in open green environments from Tandil only blood-fed Aedes albifasciatus were collected. For open green environments of AMBA and domestic environments of Tandil, results suggested some degree of host selection. For the three main vectors of diseases in the region, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albifasciatus and Culex pipiens molestus, we present the first molecular evidence of human blood meals in South America. Epidemiological significance of the present findings is discussed.

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 in urban rodents from Southern Mexico City at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Currently, there are some concerns about the situation and, in particular, about the future of the COVID-19 pandemic and the new emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. Rodents are an example of synanthropic animals in urban environments that harbor important zoonoses. Although the molecular identification of SARS-CoV-2 in Rattus norvegicus from New York City had been reported, in other studies, urban wild rodents infected with this virus have not been found. This study aimed to molecularly identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wild rodents from Mexico City, trapped along a water channel of a public park as part of a pest control program, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the fall and winter of 2020. Up to 33 Mus musculus and 52 R. norvegicus were captured and euthanized, large intestine samples with feces from the animals were obtained. RNAs were obtained and subjected to qRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 identification and threshold cycle (Ct) values were obtained. Four mice (12.1%) and three rats (5.8%) were positive, three rodents exhibited Ct<30. Our results on the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 in urban rats are in line with other previous reports. Thus, similar to other authors, we suggest that surveillance for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wild rodents, as sentinel animals, should be maintained.

Seropositividad a Chlamydophila psittaci en cotorras argentinas (Myiopsitta monachus) invasoras de la ciudad de Santiago de Chile / Seropositivity to zoonotic Chlamydophila psittaci in invasive monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) from Santiago, Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: Chlamydophila psittaci es una bacteria zoonótica e intracelular estricta, que provoca la psitacosis humana y su principal hospedero son las aves psitácidas. La cotorra argentina es un ave psitácida nativa de Sudamérica y actualmente considerada una especie invasora en 19 países, incluyendo Chile. OBJETIVO: Determinar positividad contra C. psittaci en muestras de suero y torulados de cotorras argentinas de vida libre capturadas en la Región Metropolitana de Chile. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron 95 muestras de suero de pichones e individuos adultos de cotorras argentinas, a través de una prueba de ELISA indirecto utilizando un kit comercial. Posteriormente, se analizaron 40 tórulas nasotraqueales y cloacales de individuos adultos a través de una RPC en tiempo real específica para C. psittaci. RESULTADOS: Se detectaron anticuerpos en muestras de suero de cinco individuos adultos de cotorras argentinas (n = 68), mientras que ninguno de los pichones analizados fue seropositivo (n = 27). Todas las muestras analizadas a través de RPC en tiempo real fueron negativas. CONCLUSIÓN: Estos resultados demuestran por primera vez en Chile la exposición a C. psittaci en cotorras argentinas de vida libre, lo cual puede representar un riesgo importante para la transmisión de este patógeno a poblaciones humanas y animales.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydophila psittaci is a zoonotic obligate intracellular bacterium that causes the human psittacosis, and its main host are psittacine birds. The monk parakeet is a psittacine bird native to South America, currently being considered an invasive species in 19 countries, including Chile. AIM: To determine positivity to C. psittaci in serum samples and swabs from free-ranging monk parakeets captured in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. METHODS: Ninety-five serum samples from nestling chicks and adult monk parakeets were tested using an indirect ELISA test kit. Cloacal and nasotracheal swabs from 40 adult parakeets were further analyzed by C. psittaci-specific real-time PCR. RESULTS: We found antibody titers in sera of five adult monk parakeets (n = 68) while none of the nestlings were seropositive (n = 27). All samples tested with real-time PCR were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demónstrate for the first time in Chile the exposure to C. psittaci in free-ranging monk parakeets which may represent a significant risk of pathogen transmission to human and animal populations.

Constituição da identidade social urbana de moradores de serviços residenciais terapêuticos / Constitution of urban social identity by residents of therapeutic residential services / Constitución de la identidad social urbana de residentes de servicios residenciales terapéuticos

O conceito de Identidade Social Urbana busca compreender o modo como as pessoas se identificam, se apropriam e constroem afetos e memórias associadas aos lugares que percorrem. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar como se desenvolve a identidade social urbana dos moradores nos Serviços Residenciais Terapêuticos (SRT) das cidades em que vivem. Quatorze participantes responderam à técnica de Autobiografia Ambiental, combinada a uma entrevista semiestruturada, analisadas à luz da Análise Temática. Os fatores culturais das cidades desempenharam um papel singular, mediando a aproximação dos participantes com o entorno urbano. Por fim, destaca-se a logística como escolha essencial à estruturação dos SRT, na medida que ela favorece ou retrai incursões autônomas dos moradores nas cidades

The concept of Urban Social Identity seeks to understand how people identify and appropriate, build affections and memories associated with the places they travel. This research aims to reflect on this process by using the symbologies of the inclusion of residents of Therapeutic Residential Services in the cities they inhabit, in order to understand how they constitute their identifications. Fourteen participants answered the environmental autobiography technique combined with a semi-structured interview, analyzed in the light of thematic analysis. Cultural factors of the cities were unique, mediating the approximation of participants with the urban environment. Finally, logistics is highlighted as an essential choice for the structuring of the Service, as it favors or retracts autonomous incursions in cities

El concepto de Identidad Social Urbana busca entender cómo las personas se identifican y se apropian, construyen afectos y recuerdos asociados con los lugares que viajan. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre este proceso mediante el uso de las simbologías de la inclusión de los residentes de los Servicios Residenciales Terapéuticos en las ciudades que habitan, con el fin de entender cómo constituyen sus identificaciones. Catorce participantes respondieron a la técnica de autobiografía ambiental combinada con una entrevista semiestructurada, analizada a la luz del análisis temático. Los factores culturales de las ciudades fueron únicos, mediando la aproximación de los participantes con el entorno urbano. Por último, la logística se destaca como una opción esencial para la estructuración del Servicio, ya que favorece o retrae incursiones autónomas en las ciudades

A Vivência da demissão para trabalhadores desempregados no interior do nordeste / The experience of termination for unemployed workers in the northeastern countryside region / La experiencia del despido de los trabajadores desempleados en el interior del nordeste

A demissão é uma situação dramática que introduz o trabalhador na condição de desempregado, tendo consequências psicossociais para ele. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a vivência da demissão por trabalhadores desempregados em municípios interioranos. Partindo da Psicologia Histórico-Cultural, realizou-se entrevistas em profundidade com 21 participantes, abordando o processo de demissão, características do último emprego e a vivência da demissão em si, analisando as suas singularidades, particularidades e universalidade. As vivências foram heterogêneas quanto à dramaticidade do conflito da demissão, sendo mediadas por três determinantes principais: a comunicação prévia da demissão, permitindo um tempo para planejamento e desvinculação afetiva dos trabalhadores do seu contexto laboral; a esperança em conseguir um novo emprego ou fonte de renda; e a valorização de outras esferas de vida, principalmente, a família. Os achados reforçam a importância do aviso prévio, do seguro-desemprego e de ações organizacionais que construam, com os trabalhadores demitidos, projetos laborais pós-demissão.

Termination is a dramatic situation that introduces the condition of unemployment to workers, leading to psychosocial consequences for them. The objective of this study was to analyze the experience of unemployed workers concerning termination in countryside towns. Based on historical-cultural psychology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 participants addressing the process of termination, the characteristics of their last job, and the experience of termination in itself; analyzing its singularities, uniqueness, and universality. The experiences were heterogeneous regarding the dramatic aspect of the termination's conflict, and were mediated by three main determiners: 1) the previous notice of termination, allowing time for planning and the workers' emotional detachment from their context of work; 2) the hope to get a new job or source of income; and 3) the appreciation of other parts of their lives, especially family. The findings reinforce the importance of the notice of termination, of unemployment insurance, and of organizational actions that construct post-termination work projects with the terminated workers.

El despido es una situación dramática que coloca al trabajador en la condición de desempleado, teniendo consecuencias psicosociales. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la experiencia de despido de los trabajadores desempleados en los municipios del interior. Partiendo de la Psicología Histórico-Cultural, se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad con 21 participantes, abordando el proceso de despido, las características del último empleo y la experiencia del propio despido, analizando sus singularidades, particularidades y universalidad. Las experiencias fueron heterogéneas en cuanto al carácter dramático del conflicto del despido, siendo mediadas por tres determinantes principales: 1) la comunicación previa del despido, dando tiempo para la planificación y la desvinculación afectiva de los trabajadores de su contexto laboral; 2) la esperanza en la obtención de un nuevo empleo o fuente de ingresos; y 3) la valorización de otras esferas de vida, principalmente la familiar. Los hallazgos refuerzan la importancia del aviso previo, del seguro de desempleo y de las acciones organizacionales que promuevan, junto a los trabajadores despedidos, proyectos laborales posteriores al despido.

Co-occurrence of and risk factors for Cryptosporidium and Giardia in brown rats from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A rodent survey was conducted in different landscape units of the city of Buenos Aires (Argentina) to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Rattus norvegicus and to, ultimately, assess the biotic, environmental and meteorological factors that explain the variations of the likelihood of infection for both parasites in an urban environment. The results of this study revealed a ubiquitous presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in R. norvegicus within an urban environment with the likelihood of infection depending on environmental and meteorological conditions for both parasites. The overall prevalence was greater for Cryptosporidium (p = 50.4%) than for Giardia (20.3%). The prevalence for both parasites separately was higher in parks compared to shantytowns and scrap metal yards. Generalized Linear Mixed Models revealed that the occurrence of these parasites separately, at an individual level, was positively related with rainfall variables and that the effect of temperature depended on the landscape unit. The similarities in the transmission modes, which are affected by common extrinsic factors, may facilitate the co-occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in urban rats. Rattus norvegicus is recognized as a good model for epidemiological studies and the results of this work suggest that, from an epidemiological point of view, the probability of contact with infectious oocysts and cysts of these parasites can be modulated through environmental management and healthy behaviour towards risk factors. The information presented here will be useful to improve the understanding of the dynamics of zoonotic diseases within urban environments and to contribute to the decision-making of new and effective prophylactic measures.

People-environment relations in the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: contributions from a critical Latin American Environmental Psychology / Relações pessoa-ambiente na pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil: contribuições de uma Psicologia Ambiental crítica latino-americana / Relaciones persona-ambiente en la pandemia de COVID-19 en Brasil: contribuciones desde una psicología ambiental latinoamericana crítica

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed several sectors of society in the face of the urgent need to rethink people's relations with their surroundings. This article proposes a possible framework for reading the person-environment relations in the pandemic context, considering the Brazilian scenario. Our argument focuses on analyzing the spatialization of social and racial inequalities, determining factors for the spread of COVID-19, and the differences in its impacts, parallel to other readings that environmental psychology has presented for this context. We assume that more traditional approaches have limitations for understanding Latin American specificities, requiring revisions and reorientations of a theoretical-epistemological character and an ethical-political nature. In the end, we outline some propositions, from a critical perspective.

A pandemia de COVID-19 tem colocado diversos setores da sociedade diante da urgência de repensar as relações das pessoas com seus entornos. Neste ensaio propomos um quadro possível para a leitura das relações pessoa-ambiente no contexto da pandemia, considerando o cenário brasileiro. Nosso argumento se centra na análise da espacialização das desigualdades sociais e raciais, como fatores determinantes da disseminação da COVID-19 e das diferenças em seus impactos, em paralelo a outras leituras que a psicologia ambiental vem apresentando para esse contexto. Assumimos que abordagens mais tradicionais apresentam limitações para a compreensão das especificidades latino-americanas, demandando revisões e reorientações de caráter teórico-epistemológico, e de cunho ético-político. Ao final, esboçamos algumas proposições, a partir de uma perspectiva crítica, para a construção de conhecimentos mais condizentes com a materialidade da vida da maior parte da população.

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha convocado a varios sectores de la sociedad ante la urgente necesidad de repensar las relaciones de las personas con su entorno. En este ensayo, proponemos un posible marco para leer las relaciones entre las personas y el medio ambiente en el contexto de la pandemia, considerando el escenario brasileño. Nuestro argumento se centra en el análisis de la espacialización de las desigualdades sociales y raciales, como factores determinantes para la propagación de COVID-19 y las diferencias en sus impactos, en paralelo a otras lecturas que la psicología ambiental ha presentado para este contexto. Suponemos que los enfoques más tradicionales tienen limitaciones para comprender las especificidades latinoamericanas, que requieren revisiones y reorientaciones de carácter teórico-epistemológico y de naturaleza ético-política. Al final, delineamos algunas propuestas, desde una perspectiva crítica, para la construcción de conocimiento más consistente con la materialidad de la vida de la mayoría de la población.

Infestação pelo mosquito Aedes albopictus em um Município da Região Oeste de Santa Catarina / Aedes albopictus mosquito infestation in a Municipality in the Western Region of the state of Santa Catarina

O mosquito Aedes albopictus possui ampla distribuição em regiões tropicais, bem como nos países de clima temperado e tem sido apontado pela literatura científica como importante para a saúde pública. Observa-se a carência de estudos acerca da infestação, dispersão e a associação da espécie com o grau de urbanização, criadouros, tipos de imóveis e sazonalidade. Este estudo teve como objetivos, dentre outros, analisar a evolução da infestação por A. albopictus ao longo de um gradiente de urbanização. O estudo teve como referência geográfica o município de Chapecó (SC). Para avaliar a dispersão e a flutuação populacional foi criado um gradiente de urbanização. Para avaliar a tendência da infestação em cada região no período, foram utilizadas análises de regressão linear. A infestação pelo mosquito foi maior nas regiões periurbanas e rurais e menor nas regiões mais urbanizadas. Os resultados encontrados são relevantes no planejamento e na implantação de ações de prevenção das arboviroses transmitidas.

Aedes albopictus mosquito is widely distributed in tropical regions, as well as in temperate countries, and has been identified by the scientific literature as important to public health. There is a lack of studies on infestation, dispersion and the species association with the level of urbanization, breeding sites, types of property and seasonality. This study aimed to analyze the evolution of A. albopictus infestation along an urbanization gradient. The geographical reference of this study was the municipality of Chapecó, State of Santa Catariana. To assess dispersion and population fluctuation an urbanization gradient was created. Linear regression analysis was applied to evaluate the trend of infestation in each region in the study period. Mosquito infestation was higher in peri-urban and rural regions, and lower in more urbanized regions. The results are relevant for planning and implementing prevention actions for transmitted arbovirus diseases.

Cysts and larvae of Strongyluris: A parasite of amphibians and reptiles found in an urban population of Lissachatina fulica (Férussac, 1821) in southern Brazil.

We report the finding of cysts and larvae of Strongyluris in specimens of L. fulica from an urban area of the municipality of Maringá in northern Paraná State, southern Brazil. Thirty-seven young adult snails were collected at three sites: 15 in riparian forest; 14 in a vegetable garden; and eight in a residential garden. We found a total of 16 cysts with nematode larvae in three of the 15 snails collected in riparian forest. The parasites were identified as larvae of the genus Strongyluris, which are parasites of the gastrointestinal tract of amphibians and reptiles. Lissachatina fulica is established in urban areas of 33% of the municipalities of the state of Paraná. The species has spread rapidly through the urban area of the municipality of Maringá, which may contribute to the transmission of nematode larvae of medical and veterinary interest to humans and other animals.

Ecosystem Services and Economic Assessment of Land Uses in Urban and Periurban Areas.

This work quantified ecosystem services (ES) and the geographic gross product (GGP) at municipal level in the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires (MRBA), Argentina. The ES offer and GGP were evaluated for each land use (extensive agriculture EA, intensive agriculture IA, urban and periurban agriculture UPA, green areas GA, urban use URB), expressed as a percentage (%), at the municipality level. Municipalities with a greater URB percentage (<70) presented an elevated ES offer from GA. In periurban municipalities EA contributed to ES offer more than other vegetated land uses (IA, GA, and UPA). Urban municipalities presented 20% more GGP than periurban municipalities. The GGP was negatively associated with total ES offer (-0.34) and ES offer from EA (-0.46). The identification and quantification of ES and GGP is relevant for achieving an adequate landscape planning and a sustainable environmental and economic use of urban systems.

On the Person-Place Interaction and Its Relationship with the Responses/Outcomes of Listeners of Urban Soundscape (Compared Cases of Lisbon and Bogotá): Contextual and Semiotic Aspects.

Design, planning, and management of the urban soundscape require various interacting fields of knowledge given the fact that it is the human person that experiences and provides meaning to the urban places and their acoustic environments. The process of environmental perception involves contextual information that conditions people's responses and outcomes through the relationship between the variables Person, Activity, and Place. This research focuses on the interaction between Person and Place and its impact on responses and outcomes from listeners with different geographical origin and background. Laboratory studies were conducted in the cities of Lisbon (Portugal) and Bogotá (Colombia), where local listeners were introduced to known and unknown acoustic environments. Sound data recorded in the two cities allowed comparison of responses and outcomes of the listeners according to the Person-Place Interaction, leading to different meanings depending on the contextual variables. The results clearly show a relationship between site, acoustic environment, soundscape, Person-Place Interaction, and meaning of the place. This information can be useful for urban technicians and designers dealing with planning and management of urban soundscapes.

Helminth Diversity in Synanthropic Rodents from an Urban Ecosystem.

Richness and diversity of parasites depend on a set of interrelated factors related to the characteristics of the host, the environment and the parasites itself. In the City of Buenos Aires, rodent communities vary according to landscape structure. The goal of this paper was to study the variations of helminth richness and diversity among invasive rodent species in different landscape units of the City of Buenos Aires. 73% of the rodents were parasitized with at least one of the 10 identified helminth species. Each rodent species presented its own characteristics in terms of richness, diversity and helminth composition, keeping these characteristics still occupying more than one landscape unit. The infracommunities with greater diversity corresponded to R. norvegicus due to its high values of parasitic richness, proportion of infected hosts and parasite prevalence. Instead, R. rattus and M. musculus infracommunities had lower diversity since a high percentage of them presented a unique helminth species. Within the city, the inhabitants of shantytowns would be the most exposed to zoonotic diseases transmitted by rodents due to high abundance of rodents harboring a high parasite load, including species like Hymenolepis nana and H. diminuta, recognized worldwide from a zoonotic aspect.

Vivendo a vizinhança: interfaces pessoa-ambiente na produção de vizinhanças "Vivas" / Living the neighborhood: person-environment interfaces in the production of "Alive" neighborhoods / Viviendo el vecindario: interfaces persona-ambiente en vecindarios "Vivos"

As vizinhanças já foram reconhecidamente lugares de intensa socialização e produção cultural, mas parecem ter perdido significado e espaço diante das mudanças nos processos de urbanização e relações sociais. Ainda assim, algumas vizinhanças preservam sua "vida própria". Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e caracterizar tais lugares, aqui denominados vizinhanças vivas. A partir de um painel de especialistas, buscamos identificar elementos que caracterizem tais vizinhanças, fatores que favoreçam seu desenvolvimento/manutenção e fatores que dificultem esse processo. As vizinhanças vivas foram caracterizadas em seus aspectos sociais, ambientais e culturais. Relações de socialização, intimidade e cooperação, o uso do espaço próximo e instituições locais, além de símbolos locais, dão vida a esses lugares. São relações facilitadas pela familiaridade, por fatores de enraizamento, pelo contato espacial e por herança cultural. Nesse contexto de vizinhança se destaca a dimensão afetiva, com a geração de sentimentos de coesão e segurança e de apego ao lugar.

Neighborhoods have already been recognized as places of intense socialization and cultural production. However, due to changes in urbanization and social relations processes, they seem to be losing space and meaning. Nevertheless, some neighborhoods maintain their "live form". Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and to characterize such places, here named as "alive" neighborhoods. From a panel of experts , we tried to identify elements which characterize these neighborhoods, factors which enable their development/maintenance, and those that hinder this process. The "alive" neighborhoods were characterized in their social, environmental and cultural aspects. Socialization, intimacy, cooperation, the usage of its space and local institutions, besides specific symbols, bring the mentioned life to these places. These relations are enabled by familiarity, elements of rootedness, spatial contact, and cultural inheritance. In this neighborhood context the affective dimension is important, for it is responsible for feelings of cohesion, security and attachment to the place.

Los vecindarios han sido lugares reconocidos de socialización e intensa producción cultural. Sin embargo, frente a los cambios en los procesos de urbanización y relaciones sociales, es probable que hayan perdido espacio y significado. Así mismo, algunos vecindarios conservan su "vida propia". Así que el objetivo de este trabajo ha sido identificar y caracterizar tales sitios, acá llamados vecindarios vivos. Empezando por un panel de expertos, buscamos identificar elementos que caractericen tales vecindarios, factores que favorecen su desarrollo/manutención, así como factores que hacen difícil ese proceso. Los vecindarios vivos han sido caracterizados en sus aspectos sociales, ambientales y culturales. Relaciones de socialización, intimidad, cooperación, o uso del espacio cercano e instituciones locales, además de símbolos locales dan vida a eses sitios. Son relaciones facilitadas por la familiaridad, por factores de enraizamiento, por lo contacto social, y por la herencia cultural. La dimensión afectiva en ese contexto de vecindario se ha destacado, generando sentimientos de cohesión, seguridad y de apego al sitio.

Vivendo a vizinhança: interfaces pessoa-ambiente na produção de vizinhanças "Vivas" / Living the neighborhood: person-environment interfaces in the production of "Alive" neighborhoods / Viviendo el vecindario: interfaces persona-ambiente en vecindarios "Vivos"

As vizinhanças já foram reconhecidamente lugares de intensa socialização e produção cultural, mas parecem ter perdido significado e espaço diante das mudanças nos processos de urbanização e relações sociais. Ainda assim, algumas vizinhanças preservam sua "vida própria". Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e caracterizar tais lugares, aqui denominados vizinhanças vivas. A partir de um painel de especialistas, buscamos identificar elementos que caracterizem tais vizinhanças, fatores que favoreçam seu desenvolvimento/manutenção e fatores que dificultem esse processo. As vizinhanças vivas foram caracterizadas em seus aspectos sociais, ambientais e culturais. Relações de socialização, intimidade e cooperação, o uso do espaço próximo e instituições locais, além de símbolos locais, dão vida a esses lugares. São relações facilitadas pela familiaridade, por fatores de enraizamento, pelo contato espacial e por herança cultural. Nesse contexto de vizinhança se destaca a dimensão afetiva, com a geração de sentimentos de coesão e segurança e de apego ao lugar.(AU)

Neighborhoods have already been recognized as places of intense socialization and cultural production. However, due to changes in urbanization and social relations processes, they seem to be losing space and meaning. Nevertheless, some neighborhoods maintain their "live form". Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and to characterize such places, here named as "alive" neighborhoods. From a panel of experts , we tried to identify elements which characterize these neighborhoods, factors which enable their development/maintenance, and those that hinder this process. The "alive" neighborhoods were characterized in their social, environmental and cultural aspects. Socialization, intimacy, cooperation, the usage of its space and local institutions, besides specific symbols, bring the mentioned life to these places. These relations are enabled by familiarity, elements of rootedness, spatial contact, and cultural inheritance. In this neighborhood context the affective dimension is important, for it is responsible for feelings of cohesion, security and attachment to the place.(AU)

Los vecindarios han sido lugares reconocidos de socialización e intensa producción cultural. Sin embargo, frente a los cambios en los procesos de urbanización y relaciones sociales, es probable que hayan perdido espacio y significado. Así mismo, algunos vecindarios conservan su "vida propia". Así que el objetivo de este trabajo ha sido identificar y caracterizar tales sitios, acá llamados vecindarios vivos. Empezando por un panel de expertos, buscamos identificar elementos que caractericen tales vecindarios, factores que favorecen su desarrollo/manutención, así como factores que hacen difícil ese proceso. Los vecindarios vivos han sido caracterizados en sus aspectos sociales, ambientales y culturales. Relaciones de socialización, intimidad, cooperación, o uso del espacio cercano e instituciones locales, además de símbolos locales dan vida a eses sitios. Son relaciones facilitadas por la familiaridad, por factores de enraizamiento, por lo contacto social, y por la herencia cultural. La dimensión afectiva en ese contexto de vecindario se ha destacado, generando sentimientos de cohesión, seguridad y de apego al sitio.(AU)

Changes in wild bee fauna of a grassland in Brazil reveal negative effects associated with growing urbanization during the last 40 years

Bee fauna and associated flora from a grassland site in Brazil, surveyed 40 and 20 years ago, were newly surveyed with comparable methodology to evaluate changes in the bee fauna of this site, considering that human population and urbanization has exponentially increased in the last 40 years. In general, bee species richness has declined in 22%, as well as their abundance. Some of the previously abundant species are now absent, including Bombus bellicosus Smith, 1879, Gaesischia fulgurans (Holmberg, 1903) and Thectochlora basiatra (Strand, 1910). No particular trend of differential decrease among either taxonomic or functional groups was observed, except for a minor increase in the proportion of oligolectic species and a 50% reduction in the number of large species. The first two surveys were more similar to each other in species richness per bee genus, while the two most recent grouped together based on measures of anthropogenic impact. Furthermore, the number of plant species visited by bees increased, with a pronounced increase in ruderal and exotic species. Crop cultivation, competition with honeybees and climate changes may all be related to bee decline. Nevertheless, the effects of urbanization, in particular intense land occupation and few preserved natural areas can be pointed as the main causes of species decline. Due to continuing increase in human population, increased erosion in diversity is expected. Habitat protection is an additional challenge to bee conservation in the region, with no local conservation units set aside for grasslands. State and municipal agencies should urgently consider the establishment of reserves for the few remaining patches of natural grasslands.

Changes in wild bee fauna of a grassland in Brazil reveal negative effects associated with growing urbanization during the last 40 years

Bee fauna and associated flora from a grassland site in Brazil, surveyed 40 and 20 years ago, were newly surveyed with comparable methodology to evaluate changes in the bee fauna of this site, considering that human population and urbanization has exponentially increased in the last 40 years. In general, bee species richness has declined in 22%, as well as their abundance. Some of the previously abundant species are now absent, including Bombus bellicosus Smith, 1879, Gaesischia fulgurans (Holmberg, 1903) and Thectochlora basiatra (Strand, 1910). No particular trend of differential decrease among either taxonomic or functional groups was observed, except for a minor increase in the proportion of oligolectic species and a 50% reduction in the number of large species. The first two surveys were more similar to each other in species richness per bee genus, while the two most recent grouped together based on measures of anthropogenic impact. Furthermore, the number of plant species visited by bees increased, with a pronounced increase in ruderal and exotic species. Crop cultivation, competition with honeybees and climate changes may all be related to bee decline. Nevertheless, the effects of urbanization, in particular intense land occupation and few preserved natural areas can be pointed as the main causes of species decline. Due to continuing increase in human population, increased erosion in diversity is expected. Habitat protection is an additional challenge to bee conservation in the region, with no local conservation units set aside for grasslands. State and municipal agencies should urgently consider the establishment of reserves for the few remaining patches of natural grasslands.(AU)

Changes in wild bee fauna of a grassland in Brazil reveal negative effects associated with growing urbanization during the last 40 years

Bee fauna and associated flora from a grassland site in Brazil, surveyed 40 and 20 years ago, were newly surveyed with comparable methodology to evaluate changes in the bee fauna of this site, considering that human population and urbanization has exponentially increased in the last 40 years. In general, bee species richness has declined in 22%, as well as their abundance. Some of the previously abundant species are now absent, including Bombus bellicosus Smith, 1879, Gaesischia fulgurans (Holmberg, 1903) and Thectochlora basiatra (Strand, 1910). No particular trend of differential decrease among either taxonomic or functional groups was observed, except for a minor increase in the proportion of oligolectic species and a 50% reduction in the number of large species. The first two surveys were more similar to each other in species richness per bee genus, while the two most recent grouped together based on measures of anthropogenic impact. Furthermore, the number of plant species visited by bees increased, with a pronounced increase in ruderal and exotic species. Crop cultivation, competition with honeybees and climate changes may all be related to bee decline. Nevertheless, the effects of urbanization, in particular intense land occupation and few preserved natural areas can be pointed as the main causes of species decline. Due to continuing increase in human population, increased erosion in diversity is expected. Habitat protection is an additional challenge to bee conservation in the region, with no local conservation units set aside for grasslands. State and municipal agencies should urgently consider the establishment of reserves for the few remaining patches of natural grasslands.

Length-weight relationship and reproduction of the guppy Poecilia reticulata (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) in urban drainage channels in the Brazilian city of Belém / Relação peso-comprimento e reprodução do guppy Poecilia reticulata (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) em canais de coleta residual na região metropolitana de Belém, Pará, Brasil

This paper describes the length-weight relationship, size at first maturation (L), and breeding season of Poecilia reticulata found in drainage channels on the campus of the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) in the Brazilian city of Belém. A total of 1.936 specimens (942 males and 994 females) were collected in monthly samples of the study area between June, 2006, and March, 2007. Females were significantly longer and heavier than males. The length-weight relationship for males was established by the equation Pt = 5 × 10-5 × Ct2.397 and for females by Pt = 3 × 10-6 × Ct3.419. The estimated value of L was 17.5 mm for males and 20.4 mm for females, suggesting that males initiate reproductive activity at a smaller size than females. The abundance of mature females did not vary significantly among months, and there was little variation in the sex ratio, which was close to parity overall. Despite the adverse conditions encountered in the UFPA drainage system, P. reticulata appeared to have adapted its biological processes adequately.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo descrever aspectos populacionais relacionados ao estabelecimento da relação peso/comprimento, estimativa de tamanho de primeira maturação (L) e período reprodutivo de Poecilia reticulata encontrados em sistemas de coleta residual no campus da Universidade Federal do Pará, região metropolitana de Belém - PA (Brasil). Foram realizadas coletas mensais no período de junho de 2006 a março de 2007, utilizando um puçá, que resultou na captura de 1.936 exemplares, sendo 942 machos e 994 fêmeas. As fêmeas apresentaram-se maiores e mais pesadas que os machos. A relação peso/comprimento para machos foi estabelecida pela equação Pt = 5 × 10-5 × Ct2,397 e para fêmeas esta foi dada pela fórmula Pt = 3 × 10-6 × Ct3,419. Os valores estimados para L foi 17,5 mm para machos 20,4 mm para fêmeas, sugerindo que os machos iniciam atividades reprodutivas em tamanhos menores que as fêmeas. A frequência mensal de fêmeas maduras não variou significativamente. Além disso, também não foram encontradas diferenças na proporção sexual durante os períodos investigados, sendo no geral, a proporção de fêmeas iguais as de machos. Desta forma, verificamos que, apesar das condições presentes nos sistemas de coleta residual da UFPA, a espécie P. reticulata parece ter adaptado seus processos biológicos.