Improvements in habitability and housing satisfaction after dwelling regeneration in social housing complexes. The RUCAS study.

Housing is a pressing problem worldwide and a key determinant of health and wellbeing. The right to adequate housing, as a pillar of the right to an adequate standard of living, means more than a roof to live under. Adequate means the dwelling must fulfill material functions and psychosocial functions, thus contributing to dwellers health and wellbeing. Social housing policies aim to fulfill the right to housing, but frequently fail in fulfilling the right to it being adequate. This study capitalizes on the implementation of a national urban regeneration program in two social housing villas in central Chile (one in Santiago, in the central valley, the other in Viña del Mar, a coastal city) to run a natural experiment assessing the impact of dwelling renovation on several dimensions of perceived habitability and housing satisfaction among the -mostly female-household homemakers. We use 5 waves of survey data collected with a step-wedge design to estimate the association between a time-varying exposure status (the intervention) and 7 binary outcomes for habitability and 5 for housing dissatisfaction, including overall housing satisfaction. We use Poisson regression models with robust variance and a random intercept at the respondent level. At baseline, reports of poor habitability and dissatisfaction across all features were markedly high, the highest levels of dissatisfaction being with acoustic insulation and dwelling size in both villas, and with indoor temperature in Santiago. The intervention resulted in statistically significant and markedly large improvements in reported habitability and dissatisfaction relative to those housing components targeted by the intervention, as well as with overall dwelling satisfaction in both study cases. Implications are, first, that the policy response to quantitative housing deficits must not overlook housing quality; second, that housing renovation appears as a promising intervention for qualitative housing crises; third, that while improvements in habitability and satisfaction are specific to the interventions in place, overall housing satisfaction can improve in more limited, tailored, dwelling renovation interventions. Social housing renovation in Latin America appears as a promising intervention to improve quality of life among the urban poor dwellers and reduce inequalities in health related to housing conditions.

Ethno-racial segregation in São Paulo and London metropolitan regions: reflections on a comparative study / A segregação étnico-racial nas regiões metropolitanas de São Paulo e Londres: reflexões sobre um estudo comparativo / Segregación étnico-racial en las regiones metropolitanas de San Pablo y Londres: reflexiones sobre un estudio comparativo

Abstract This paper analyzes ethno-racial residential segregation in two large metropolitan areas across the Global North and South: London (UK) and São Paulo (Brazil). Residential segregation is measured and mapped using global and local spatial segregation indices that portray different spatial dimensions across scales. To interpret results, the study adopted a relational approach that juxtaposes global figures and local variations of segregation, complementary dimensions of segregation (dissimilarity and exposure/isolation), multiple scales of segregation, and location patterns of different ethno-racial groups. Results indicate that London and São Paulo metropolitan regions have similar, although inverse, core-periphery patterns of ethno-racial segregation. The findings also revealed that segregation levels are higher for London than São Paulo across scales and dimensions, indicating that, against common assumptions, London is more ethno-racially segregated than São Paulo. These findings are discussed in the context of existing literature, exploring similarities and differences between ethno-racial segregation in the two metropolitan regions. The paper concludes with a discussion on the relevance of the comparative findings for segregation studies, and a reflection on future studies on urban segregation.

Resumo Este artigo analisa a segregação residencial do ponto de vista étnico-racial em duas grandes regiões metropolitanas localizadas no Sul e Norte Globais: Londres (Reino Unido) e São Paulo (Brasil). Utilizaram-se índices espaciais globais e locais para mapear e mensurar as diferentes dimensões espaciais e escalas da segregação étnico-racial nas duas metrópoles. O estudo adotou uma abordagem relacional para a interpretação dos resultados que justapõe resultados globais e variações locais da segregação, dimensões espaciais complementares (dissimilaridade e exposição/isolamento), múltiplas escalas geográficas e padrões de localização espacial dos diferentes grupos étnico-raciais. Os resultados indicam que as regiões metropolitanas de Londres e São Paulo apresentam padrões espaciais de segregação centro-periferia similares, mas inversos. Os resultados também relevaram que os níveis de segregação de Londres são mais altos do que os de São Paulo, indicando que contraintuitivamente Londres é mais segregada étnico-racialmente do que São Paulo. Esses resultados são discutidos no contexto da literatura, explorando as similaridades e diferenças entre as duas regiões metropolitanas. O artigo conclui com uma discussão sobre a relevância dos resultados e uma reflexão sobre a agenda futura para os estudos sobre a segregação urbana.

Resumen Este artículo analiza la segregación residencial desde un punto de vista étnico-racial en dos grandes regiones metropolitanas ubicadas en el Sur y el Norte Global: Londres (Reino Unido) y San Pablo (Brasil). Se usaron índices espaciales globales y locales para mapear y medir las diferentes dimensiones espaciales y escalas de la segregación étnico-racial en las dos metrópolis. El estudio adoptó un enfoque relacional para interpretar los resultados que yuxtapone resultados globales y variaciones locales de segregación, dimensiones espaciales complementarias (disimilaridad y exposición/aislamiento), múltiples escalas geográficas y patrones de ubicación espacial de diferentes grupos etnorraciales. Los resultados indican que las regiones metropolitanas de Londres y San Pablo presentan patrones espaciales similares, pero inversos, de segregación centro-periferia. Los resultados también revelaron que los niveles de segregación en Londres son más altos que en San Pablo, lo que indica que, contraintuitivamente, Londres está más segregada étnico-racialmente que San Pablo. Estos resultados se discuten en el contexto de la literatura, explorando las similitudes y diferencias entre las dos regiones metropolitanas. El artículo concluye con una discusión sobre la relevancia de los resultados y una reflexión sobre la agenda futura de estudios sobre segregación urbana.

A vocação colonial do território amazônico: o plano diretor de desenvolvimento urbano de Barcarena / The colonial vocation of the amazon territory: Barcarena's urban development master plan / La vocación colonial del territorio amazónico: el plan maestro urbano de Barcarena

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise decolonial de dois planos territoriais pensados, respectivamente, à Amazônia e o território de Barcarena. Tem como objetivo geral analisar a vocação colonial do território de Barcarena estabelecida no plano diretor municipal. Trata-se de relatório de pesquisa com enfoque na discussão sobre a colonialidade do poder e o processo de formação social da Amazônia brasileira, a partir de documentos internacionais e municipais, especificamente a Agenda de Projetos Prioritários de Integração do Conselho Sul-Americanos de Infraestrutura e Planejamento (2012-2022) e o Plano Diretor de Desenvolvimento Urbano de Barcarena (2016-2026). Os resultados denunciam a presença da colonialidade do poder nos instrumentos oficiais de planejamento territorial global e local que determinam a vocação local do território de Barcarena no processo de controle dos territórios da Amazônia.(AU)

This work presents a decolonial analysis of two territorial plans designed, respectively, for the Amazon and the territory of Barcarena. Its general objective is to analyze the colonial vocation of the territory of Barcarena established in the municipal master plan. It is a research report focusing on the discussion of the coloniality of power and the process of social formation in the Brazilian Amazon, based on international and municipal documents, specifically the Agenda of Priority Integration Projects of the South American Council for Infrastructure and Planning (2012-2022) and the Master Plan for Urban Development of Barcarena (2016-2026). The results denounce the presence of the coloniality of power in the official instruments of global and local territorial planning that determine the local vocation of the territory of Barcarena in the process of controlling the territories of the Amazon.(AU)

Este trabajo presenta un análisis decolonial de dos planes territoriales diseñados, respectivamente, para la Amazonía y el territorio de Barcarena. Su objetivo general es analizar la vocación colonial del territorio de Barcarena establecida en el plan director municipal. Se trata de un informe de investigación centrado en la discusión sobre la colonialidad del poder y el proceso de formación social en la Amazonía brasileña, a partir de documentos internacionales y municipales, específicamente la Agenda de Proyectos Prioritarios de Integración del Consejo Suramericano de Infraestructura y Planificación (2012). -2022) y el Plan Director de Desarrollo Urbano de Barcarena (2016-2026). Los resultados denuncian la presencia de la colonialidad del poder en los instrumentos oficiales de planificación territorial global y local que determinan la vocación local del territorio Barcarena en el proceso de control de los territorios amazónicos.(AU)

Considerations for an urban health perspective in Chile from the "Quiero Mi Barrio" program

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES To explore the perceptions of residents regarding their health and well-being in areas of personal and collective life, in relation to the experience of urban transformation originated by the Program for the Recovery of Neighborhoods in Chile "Quiero mi Barrio" (PQMB). METHODS Qualitative study conducted in eight neighborhoods, which were subject to interventions between 2012-2015, located in seven communes of Chile: Arica, Renca, Padre Las Casas, Villarrica, Castro, Ancud. Eighteen focus groups and 27 interviews were conducted between 2018 and 2019. A content analysis was carried out following the social determinants of health approach. RESULTS Material conditions of neighborhood infrastructure and psychosocial determinants were the main emerging and predominant categories in the residents' narratives. The new or improved infrastructure enhances sports and playing practices, as well as contributes to the feeling of safety and to the improvement of walkable spaces, support networks, socialization and dynamization of social organization. However, neglected aspects were visualized. The program had limitations of structural character that operate locally, such as aging, individual lifestyles that limit participation, and contexts of insecurity, especially in neighborhoods victims of drug trafficking. CONCLUSIONS The urban changes originated by the PQMB included improvements in neighborhood infrastructure and in the psychosocial environment, which are perceived by residents as beneficial aspects and promoters of collective wellbeing. However, global phenomena, and those related to the program, limit its scope and have repercussions on the perception of overall wellbeing of the residents in the neighborhoods. To go deeper into how this or other state neighborhood programs may or may not favor equitable access of different social groups, or which works may be better used by the groups, is an aspect that enhances the integral action with other sectors and local actors in the territories.

Reporte nacional de Costa Rica sobre los avances en la implementación de la Nueva Agenda Urbana 2016 - 2021

El Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos (MIVAH), de Costa Rica, presenta el primer reporte nacional voluntario de implementación de la Nueva Agenda Urbana (NAU) 2016 ­ 2021, que ha sido elaborado sobre la base de los lineamientos que, para tal efecto, fueron propuestos por ONU-Hábitat. El MIVAH enfatiza que, teniendo en consideración las múltiples variables y factores que intervienen en el desarrollo urbano sostenible, así como las corresponsabilidades establecidas en la Conferencia Hábitat III, en la que se adoptó la NAU, en la elaboración del informe, necesariamente se han involucrado entidades y actores adicionales a los que conforman el Sector de Ordenamiento Territorial y Asentamientos Humanos de nuestro país. Para asumir esta tarea, se ha conformado un equipo nacional constituido por enlaces institucionales, quienes aportaron información oficial y pertinente, sobre los indicadores que contiene la guía. En el caso de Costa Rica, el MIVAH reconoce que no es posible completar todas las variables propuestas por ONU-Hábitat. A continuación, se presenta el primer reporte voluntario, que fue construido con el aporte de múltiples instituciones nacionales, gobiernos locales, academia y sociedad civil, convocadas para conformar la comisión responsable de la elaboración del informe, que fue coordinada por este Ministerio. El MIVAH reconoce y agradece la colaboración de las entidades nacionales y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, que contribuyeron con el informe, así como el constante apoyo técnico brindado por la Oficina Regional de América Latina y el Caribe de ONU-Hábitat.

Urban Land Expansion from Scratch to Urban Agglomeration in the Federal District of Brazil in the Past 60 Years.

Empirical studies of urban expansion have increased rapidly in recent decades worldwide. Previous studies mainly focused on cities in China, the United States or African countries, with Brazilian cities receiving less attention. Moreover, such studies are rare in purpose-built cities. Taking the urban expansion from scratch (1960) to urban agglomeration (2015) in the Federal District of Brazil (FDB) as an example, this study aims to quantify the magnitude, patterns, modes, types and efficiency of urban land expansion and attempts to reveal some implications within sustainable urban expansion thinking. Annual expansion, landscape metrics, local Moran's I index, area weighted mean expansion index, and land-use efficiency were computed. The suitability of diffusion-coalescence theory and the impact of population growth and urban development policies on urban expansion were discussed. Urban land continuously expanded and became more fragmented during 1960-2015, which mainly occurred in SSW and WSW directions. Urban land evolved in a polycentric way. Edge expansion was identified as the stable contributor, and the importance of infilling and spontaneous growth alternated. Urban expansion in this region supported the diffusion-coalescence theory. Population growth promoted urban expansion, and the creation of peripheral urban nuclei and their development were associated with the urban expansion and the changes in urban land structure. This study adds new empirical evidence of urban expansion to Brazil urbanization, and compact urbanization, population control, and efficient urban land use should be considered in the future.

Housing, Urban Development and Health in Latin America: Contrasts, Inequalities and Challenges.

Since the outset of the 201 h century, growing urbanization and its contingent waxing populations in Latin America, including Brazil, have come to have alarming effects on the conditions of life, especially in the areas of housing and healthcare for such populations. In this paper, we present data describing and qualifying the process of urbanization and its consequences for Latin American countries and certain Brazilian cities. Arguments are presented about the effects of the urbanization process and the development of low-income human settlements (slums known as favelas and squatting in tenement housing) on health conditions, diseases, and the death rate. The first part of the paper is based on secondary and quantitative data about urbanization, housing, and health in Brazilian and other Latin American cities. Governmental and nongovernmental data are used to structure the problematic landscape of the Latin American region. In the second part of the paper, we focus on a case study of a Brazilian coast city that has registered an intense population growth. This study demonstrates that urban policy (housing, environmental, sanitation, and urban transportation) requires an integration of health and environmental public policy and demonstrates the importance of the role of popular participation in urban public policy-making, and the potential importance of the Bertiioga Healthy City Project from the perspective of a better integration of actions, policies, and programs.

[From "culprits" to "victims:" the expansion and professionalization of the healthcare system in the province of Mendoza in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century]. / De "culpables" a "víctimas": expansión y profesionalización del sistema de salud en la provincia Mendoza a fines del siglo XIX y principios del XX.

From the late 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, the province of Mendoza presented problematic sanitary conditions due to rapid demographic and urban growth, the scarcity of public services, and the poor state of the old colonial city (destroyed by the 1861 earthquake), which facilitated the spread of various infectious diseases. The objective of this article is to inquire into the ways in which the healthcare system in the province of Mendoza both expanded and became increasingly professionalized from the late 19th to early 20th century. We explore how these factors, along with the predominant social representations of disease that permeated the discourses of governing elites, influenced public policy aimed at combating the diseases of the time. To that end, we consulted a wide range of written documents and photographic material that allowed us to analyze changes in discourse as well as public policy.

Entre fines del siglo XIX y comienzos del XX, la provincia de Mendoza presentaba un estado sanitario marcado por el crecimiento demográfico y urbanístico, la escasez de los servicios públicos y la destrucción de la antigua ciudad colonial como consecuencia del terremoto de 1861, lo que propiciaba un ambiente favorable para el desarrollo de diversas enfermedades infectocontagiosas. El objetivo de este artículo es indagar cómo se fue profesionalizando y expandiendo el sistema de salud en la provincia de Mendoza a fines del siglo XIX e inicios del XX, y cómo esos factores, junto con las representaciones sobre la enfermedad que predominaban en el discurso de la elite gobernante, incidieron en las políticas públicas para combatir las dolencias de la época. Para ello se consultaron diversos documentos escritos y fotográficos que permitieron analizar las modificaciones del discurso y las políticas públicas implementadas.

On the relation between transversal and longitudinal scaling in cities.

Does the scaling relationship between population sizes of cities with urban metrics like economic output and infrastructure (transversal scaling) mirror the evolution of individual cities in time (longitudinal scaling)? The answer to this question has important policy implications, but the lack of suitable data has so far hindered rigorous empirical tests. In this paper, we advance the debate by looking at the evolution of two urban variables, GDP and water network length, for over 5500 cities in Brazil. We find that longitudinal scaling exponents are city-specific. However, they are distributed around an average value that approaches the transversal scaling exponent provided that the data is decomposed to eliminate external factors, and only for cities with a sufficiently high growth rate. We also introduce a mathematical framework that connects the microscopic level to global behaviour, finding good agreement between theoretical predictions and empirical evidence in all analyzed cases. Our results add complexity to the idea that the longitudinal dynamics is a micro-scaling version of the transversal dynamics of the entire urban system. The longitudinal analysis can reveal differences in scaling behavior related to population size and nature of urban variables. Our approach also makes room for the role of external factors such as public policies and development, and opens up new possibilities in the research of the effects of scaling and contextual factors.

Station and train surface microbiomes of Mexico City's metro (subway/underground).

The metro is one of the more representative urban transportation systems of Mexico City, and it transports approximately 4.5 million commuters every day. Large crowds promote the exchange of microbes between humans. In this study, we determined the bacterial diversity profile of the Mexico City metro by massive sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We identified a total of 50,174 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 1058 genera. The metro microbiome was dominated by the phylum Actinobacteria and by the genera Cutibacterium (15%) (C. acnes 13%), Corynebacterium (13%), Streptococcus (9%), and Staphylococcus (5%) (S. epidermidis; 4%), reflecting the microbe composition of healthy human skin. The metro likely microbial sources were skin, dust, saliva, and vaginal, with no fecal contribution detected. A total of 420 bacterial genera were universal to the twelve metro lines tested, and those genera contributed to 99.10% of the abundance. The annual 1.6 billion ridership makes this public transport a main hub for microbe-host-environment interactions. Finally, this study shows that the microbial composition of the Mexico City metro comes from a mixture of environmental and human sources and that commuters are exposed to healthy composition of the human microbiota.

Prevalence and incidence of vector-borne pathogens in unprotected dogs in two Brazilian regions.

BACKGROUND: Various vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) affect dogs worldwide, with their diversity and force of infection being usually higher in the tropics. Cross-sectional studies have been conducted to investigate the prevalence of VBPs in dogs, but data from longitudinal studies are scarce. Herein, we assessed the prevalence and the year-crude incidence (YCI) of Leishmania spp. and other VBPs in privately-owned dogs from two geographical regions of Brazil. METHODS: A total of 823 dogs were initially screened for Leishmania spp. by both serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). From the negatives, 307 (103 from São Joaquim de Bicas, Minas Gerais, and 204 from Goiana, Pernambuco) were randomly selected for the longitudinal study. These dogs were tested for various VBPs at baseline, after 8 and 12 months. RESULTS: Out of 823 dogs initially screened, 131 (15.9%) were positive for Leishmania spp. Out of the 307 dogs enrolled in the longitudinal study, 120 (39.1%) were lost for different reasons (e.g. animal death, owner decision, and lost to follow-up). In São Joaquim de Bicas, the baseline prevalence and YCI were as follows: 16.5% and 7.1% for Anaplasma spp.; 81.6% and 100% for Babesia spp.; 0% and 1.3% (only one faint positive) for Dirofilaria immitis; 37.9% and 22.9% for Ehrlichia spp.; 19.5% and 43.8% for Leishmania spp. In Goiana, the baseline prevalence and YCI were as follows: 45.1% and 38.3% for Anaplasma spp.; 79.9% and 96.0% for Babesia spp.; 36.3% and 39.8% for D. immitis; 64.7% and 58.5% for Ehrlichia spp.; 14.7% and 19.6% for Leishmania spp. Anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies were not detected in any of the samples tested herein. The prevalence and YCI of Anaplasma spp., D. immitis and Ehrlichia spp. were significantly higher in Goiana. In contrast, the YCI of Leishmania spp. infection was significantly higher in São Joaquim de Bicas. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed a high prevalence and YCI of various VBPs among privately-owned dogs in two geographical regions of Brazil. Our data also indicate that the risk of infection varies significantly for individual VBPs and between the regions, which may be related to several factors that are still poorly understood.

Uma periferia, dois centros: o município de Praia Grande no contexto da formação da macrometrópole paulista no começo do século XXI / One periphery, two centers: the municipality of Praia Grande in the context of the formation of the macrometropolis of São Paulo at the beginning of the 21st century / Una periferia, dos centros: el municipio de Praia Grande en el contexto de la formación de la macrometrópolis de São Paulo a principios del siglo XXI

O presente estudo tem dois objetivos principais: discutir os impactos, consequências e respostas demográficas do processo de expansão e estruturação de grandes aglomerações urbanas, com especial enfoque no caso do município de Praia Grande/SP na Região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista (RMBS); e examinar, com mais detalhes, as nuances da mobilidade populacional e, em particular, das modalidades migratórias (e suas características), como elementos importantes da peculiar inserção regional do referido município enquanto "periferia simultânea" de duas regiões metropolitanas. A partir do uso exaustivo dos dados censitários, em especial dos Censos Demográficos de 2000 e 2010, analisam-se o crescimento e a expansão territorial de Praia Grande, enfatizando, em nível intramunicipal, o papel das distintas modalidades de migração (intrametropolitana e inter-regional). Além disso, procura-se associá-las a diferentes motivações a partir de um olhar detalhado para o perfil sociodemográfico dos fluxos estabelecidos. Como principais resultados do trabalho, observou-se que o papel de Praia Grande enquanto área de expansão metropolitana da RMBS se encontra lastreado pelos crescentes fluxos migratórios intrametropolitanos provenientes do polo regional, realidade esta que igualmente pode ser vista em outros contextos metropolitanos. No entanto, enquanto peculiaridade de seu processo de ocupação e inserção regional, parte majoritária dessa migração é originária de fora da RMBS, mais precisamente do município de São Paulo, centro de outra importante área de metropolitana, fato que contribui para caracterizar Praia Grande como uma "periferia com dois centros".

The present study has two main objectives: the first one is to discuss the impacts, consequences and demographic responses of the process of expansion and structuring of large urban agglomerations, with special focus on the case of Praia Grande/SP in the Metropolitan Area of Baixada Santista; the second one, to examine in more detail the nuances of population mobility and, in particular, migratory modalities (and their characteristics), as important elements of the peculiar regional insertion of that municipality as "simultaneous periphery" of two metropolitan areas. Based on the exhaustive use of census data, especially the Demographic Census of 2000 and 2010, this study presents an analysis of the growth and territorial expansion of Praia Grande emphasizing, at intra-municipal level, the role of the different migration modalities (intra-metropolitan and inter-regional). In addition, it seeks to associate them to different motivations from a detailed look at the sociodemographic profile of established flows. As main results of the work, it was observed that the role of Praia Grande as an area of metropolitan expansion of RMBS is supported by the growing intra-metropolitan migratory flows from the regional core, a reality that can also be observed in other metropolitan contexts. However, as a peculiarity of its process of occupation and regional insertion, a major part of this migration comes from outside the RMBS, more precisely, from the municipality of São Paulo, the center of another important metropolitan area, a fact that contributes to characterize Praia Grande as a "periphery with two centers".

El presente estúdio tiene dos objetivos principales: el primero, discutir los impactos, las consecuencias y las respuestas demográficas del proceso de expansión y estructuración de grandes aglomeraciones urbanas, con énfasis en el caso de Praia Grande (São Paulo) en la Región Metropolitana de Baixada Santista (RMBS); el segundo, examinar con más detalle los matices de la movilidad de la población y, en particular, de las modalidades migratorias (y sus características), como elementos importantes de la peculiar inserción regional del município como una "periferia simultánea" de dos regiones metropolitanas. A partir de los datos del censo, especialmente de los censos de 2000 y 2010, el estúdio presenta un análisis del crecimiento y la expansión territorial de Praia Grande con énfasis en el proceso intramunicipal, el papel de las diferentes modalidades de migración (intrametropolitana e interregional). Además, busca asociar estos movimientos a diferentes motivaciones a partir de una mirada sobre el perfil sociodemográfico de los flujos establecidos. Como resultado principal del trabajo, se observó que el papel de Praia Grande como área de expansión metropolitana de la RMBS es respaldado por el incremento de los flujos migratórios intrametropolitanos con origen en el polo regional, una realidad que también se puede ver en otros contextos metropolitanos. Sin embargo, como peculiaridad de su proceso de ocupación e inserción regional, parte significativa de esa migración se origina fuera de la RMBS, más precisamente, en la ciudad de São Paulo, cientro de otra región metropolitana (la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo), hecho que contribuye a caracterizar el municipio de Praia Grande como una "periferia de dos centros".

De "culpables" a "víctimas": expansión y profesionalización del sistema de salud en la provincia Mendoza a fines del siglo XIX y principios del XX / From "culprits" to "victims": the expansion and professionalization of the healthcare system in the province of Mendoza in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century

RESUMEN Entre fines del siglo XIX y comienzos del XX, la provincia de Mendoza presentaba un estado sanitario marcado por el crecimiento demográfico y urbanístico, la escasez de los servicios públicos y la destrucción de la antigua ciudad colonial como consecuencia del terremoto de 1861, lo que propiciaba un ambiente favorable para el desarrollo de diversas enfermedades infectocontagiosas. El objetivo de este artículo es indagar cómo se fue profesionalizando y expandiendo el sistema de salud en la provincia de Mendoza a fines del siglo XIX e inicios del XX, y cómo esos factores, junto con las representaciones sobre la enfermedad que predominaban en el discurso de la elite gobernante, incidieron en las políticas públicas para combatir las dolencias de la época. Para ello se consultaron diversos documentos escritos y fotográficos que permitieron analizar las modificaciones del discurso y las políticas públicas implementadas.

ABSTRACT From the late 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, the province of Mendoza presented problematic sanitary conditions due to rapid demographic and urban growth, the scarcity of public services, and the poor state of the old colonial city (destroyed by the 1861 earthquake), which facilitated the spread of various infectious diseases. The objective of this article is to inquire into the ways in which the healthcare system in the province of Mendoza both expanded and became increasingly professionalized from the late 19th to early 20th century. We explore how these factors, along with the predominant social representations of disease that permeated the discourses of governing elites, influenced public policy aimed at combating the diseases of the time. To that end, we consulted a wide range of written documents and photographic material that allowed us to analyze changes in discourse as well as public policy.

Stream flow composition and sediment yield comparison between partially urbanized and undisturbed coastal watersheds-case study: St. John, US Virgin Islands.

In steep dry-tropical islands, rural and urban development can lead to accelerated soil erosion and the delivery of land-based materials into marine ecosystems. The objective of this paper was to compare stream water composition, clay minerology, and sediment yield between a partially urbanized (Coral Bay) and an undisturbed (Lameshur) coastal watersheds in St. John, US Virgin Islands (USVI). The saturation index of streamflow water samples was calculated using "The Geochemist's Workbench" software and most likely precipitated minerals from observed storm events was then compared with X-ray diffraction on soil clay mineralogy. The spatial distribution on both annual mean (2010) erosion rates and storm event-wise (Hurricane Otto) sediment yield among the two study watersheds were modeled using the revised and modified universal soil loss equations (RUSLE; MUSLE), respectively. Cations concentration in stream flow water samples and sediment yield were higher for the partially urbanized (Coral Bay) compared to the undisturbed (Lameshur) watershed. Our findings suggest that rural/urban development may increase stream water cations concentration and inputs of sediment to downstream ecosystems. Future studies evaluating the effect of management practices such as pavement or other stabilization of dirt roads and their impact on stream water quality and quantity and sediment yield are crucial for the proper sediment management in the study watersheds and potentially in other rural-urbanizing tropical watersheds.

The influence that different urban development models has on PM2.5 elemental and bioaccessible profiles.

Limited studies have reported on in-vitro analysis of PM2.5 but as far as the authors are aware, bioaccessibility of PM2.5 in artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF) has not been linked to urban development models before. The Brazilian cities Manaus (Amazon) and Curitiba (South region) have different geographical locations, climates, and urban development strategies. Manaus drives its industrialization using the free trade zone policy and Curitiba adopted a services centered economy driven by sustainability. Therefore, these two cities were used to illustrate the influence that these different models have on PM2.5 in vitro profile. We compared PM2.5 mass concentrations and the average total elemental and bioaccessible profiles for Cu, Cr, Mn, and Pb. The total average elemental concentrations followed Mn > Pb > Cu > Cr in Manaus and Pb > Mn > Cu > Cr in Curitiba. Mn had the lowest solubility while Cu showed the highest bioaccessibility (100%) and was significantly higher in Curitiba than Manaus. Cr and Pb had higher bioaccessibility in Manaus than Curitiba. Despite similar mass concentrations, the public health risk in Manaus was higher than in Curitiba indicating that the free trade zone had a profound effect on the emission levels and sources of airborne PM. These findings illustrate the importance of adopting sustainable air quality strategies in urban planning.

Prevalence and risk factors for the presence of serum antibodies against canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus in communities in mainland Ecuador.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the apparent prevalence and identify risk factors for antibody levels (AL) against canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine adenovirus (CAV) in three communities in the metropolitan area of Quito, Ecuador that have limited access to regular veterinary care. Whole blood samples were collected from 154 dogs presenting to three veterinary field clinics in mainland Ecuador and tested for AL against CDV, CPV, and CAV by a commercially available point-of-care ELISA. Potential risk factors for the presence of AL were analyzed. A majority of dogs had AL against CDV (66%, 95% CI = 58-73%), CPV (95%, 95% CI = 91-98%) and CAV (60%, 95% CI = 52-67%). Dogs had significantly greater odds of AL against CDV if they were >2 years of age, from an urban community, and had previously received veterinary care. Dogs had significantly greater odds of AL against CAV if they were male, >2 years of age, and had previously received veterinary care. Results provide baseline estimates of AL within each community and allow for the targeting of future veterinary services to communities and dogs most at risk.

Circulação e cidadania: modos de comunicar na cidade / Circulation and citizenship: ways of communicating in the city / Circulación y ciudadanía: formas de comunicación en la ciudad

Este texto pretende discutir, a partir de uma perspectiva comunicacional, a relação entre circulação urbana e cidadania. Em um primeiro momento introdutório, nos deteremos principalmente nos conceitos de sistemas comunicacionais, comum e comunicação. Em seguida, pensaremos como o paradigma moderno de circulação, histórica e contemporaneamente, interfere na organização do comum e nos espaços da cidade de modo a privilegiar circuitos domésticos e de consumo em detrimento de usos e ocupações mais livres do espaço público. Por fim, discutiremos sobre a ideia de cidadania no Brasil para pensar com há uma relação explícita no modo como se circula na cidade, se constitui o comum urbano e se dispõe de certos direitos, especificamente o de liberdade de locomoção, ou, se quisermos, o direito de ir e vir.

This text intends to discuss, from a communicational perspective, the relationship between urban circulation and citizenship. In the first introductory moment, we will focus mainly on the concepts of communication, common and communication systems. Next, we will think about how the modern paradigm of circulation, historically and contemporarily, interferes with the organization of the commons and the city spaces in order to privilege domestic and consumption circuits over the freer uses and occupations of public space. Finally, we will discuss about the idea of citizenship in Brazil to think with there is an explicit relation in the way it circulates in the city, if it constitutes the urban common and if it has certain rights, specifically freedom of movement, or, if we wish, the right to come and go.

Este texto pretende discutir, desde una perspectiva comunicacional, la relación entre la circulación urbana y la ciudadanía. En el primer momento introductorio, nos centraremos principalmente en los conceptos de comunicación, sistemas comunes y de comunicación. A continuación, pensaremos cómo el paradigma moderno de la circulación, histórica y contemporáneamente, interfiere con la organización de los espacios comunes y municipales para privilegiar los circuitos domésticos y de consumo sobre los usos y ocupaciones más libres del espacio público. Finalmente, discutiremos sobre la idea de ciudadanía en Brasil para pensar que existe una relación explícita en la forma en que circula en la ciudad, si constituye el común urbano y si tiene ciertos derechos, específicamente la libertad de movimiento o, si lo deseamos, El derecho a ir y venir.

Prevalence of Endoparasites in Urban Stray Dogs from Brazil Diagnosed with Leishmania, with Potential for Human Zoonoses.

BACKGROUND: In tropical environments, abandoned animals can be an important source for human zoonotic infections, such as human visceral leishmaniasis and other vector-borne diseases. Here, we report the frequency of protozoan and helminth intestinal parasites in stray dogs, which might have an implication for human health in urban Brazilian settings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed necropsies on 93 animals, euthanized due to canine visceral leishmaniasis control program, and examined their intestines looking for the presence of helminths; we determined the parasite load, and the elimination of eggs and cysts of protozoan parasites in fecal samples. Further, we performed serology tests for the detection of specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. RESULTS: Overall, a high prevalence of intestinal parasites with potential for human zoonoses resulted and only 8.6% of examined intestines remained negative. The most prevalent helminths were Ancylostoma caninum and Dipylidium caninum. For nematodes, high worm burdens were detected for A. caninum and Trichuris vulpis. Additionally, we analyzed worm burdens and quantitative stool examinations, but found no significant association between positive serology for Leishmania infection and intestinal parasite burden. Interestingly, serology for T. gondii infection revealed a prevalence of 33.3% and a positive result was significantly associated with a higher A. caninum adult worm recovery (p = 0.0087). CONCLUSION: Our results showed stray dogs living in urban areas are heavily parasitized, which presents a potential risk for humans. Beyond the control of canine visceral leishmaniasis, we propose an improvement of the control program to reduce the risk for other parasitic diseases in dogs and humans.

Detection of multiple circulating Leishmania species in Lutzomyia longipalpis in the city of Governador Valadares, southeastern Brazil.

Leishmaniasis encompasses a group of diverse clinical diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. This disease is a major public health problem in the New World affecting people exposed in endemic regions. The city of Governador Valadares (Minas Gerais/Brazil) is a re-emerging area for visceral leishmaniasis, with 191 human cases reported from 2008 to 2017 and a lethality rate of 14.7%. The transmission of the parasite occurs intensely in this region with up to 22% of domestic dogs with positive serology for the visceral form. Lu. longipalpis is one of the most abundant sand fly species in this area. Despite this scenario, so far there is no information regarding the circulating Leishmania species in the insect vector Lutzomyia longipalpis in this focus. We collected 616 female Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies between January and September 2015 in the Vila Parque Ibituruna neighborhood (Governador Valadares/MG), which is located on a transitional area between the sylvatic and urban environments with residences built near a preserved area. After DNA extraction of individual sand flies, the natural Leishmania infections in Lu. longipalpis were detected by conventional PCR, using primers derived from kDNA sequences, specific for L. (Leishmania) or L. (Viannia) subgenus. The sensitivity of these PCR reactions was 0.1 pg of DNA for each Leishmania subgenus and the total infection rate of 16.2% (100 positive specimens). Species-specific PCR detected the presence of multiple Leishmania species in infected Lu. longipalpis specimens in Governador Valadares, including L. amazonensis (n = 3), L. infantum (n = 28), L. (Viannia) spp. (n = 20), coinfections with L. infantum and L. (Viannia) spp. (n = 5), and L. (Leishmania) spp (n = 44). Our results demonstrate that multiple Leishmania species circulate in Lu. longipalpis in Governador Valadares and reveal a potential increasing risk of transmission of the different circulating parasite species. This information reinforces the need for epidemiological and entomological surveillance in this endemic focus, and the development of effective control strategies against leishmaniasis.

Mortality from Homicides in Slums in the City of Belo Horizonte, Brazil: An Evaluation of the Impact of a Re-Urbanization Project.

Background: Homicide rates in Brazil are among the highest worldwide. Although not exclusive to large Brazilian cities, homicides find their most important determinants in cities' slums. In the last decade, an urban renewal process has been initiated in the city of Belo Horizonte, in Brazil. Named Vila Viva project, it includes structuring urban interventions such as urban renewal, social development actions and land regularization in the slums of the city. This study evaluates the project's effect on homicide rates according to time and interventions. Methods: Homicide rates were analyzed comparing five slums with interventions (S1⁻S5) to five grouped non-intervened slums (S0), with similar socioeconomic characteristics from 2002 to 2012. Poisson regression model estimates the effect of time of observation and the effect of time of exposure (in years) to a completed intervention, besides the overall risk ratio (RR). Results: Using the time of observation in years, homicide rates decreased in the studied period and even more if considered cumulative time of exposure to a completed intervention for S1, S2, S3 and S4, but not for S5. Conclusions: Although the results of the effect of the interventions are not repeated in all slums, a downward trend in homicide rates has been found, which is connected to the interventions. New approaches could be necessary in order to verify the nexus between slum renewal projects and the reduction of homicide rates.