Urban Green Space Availability, Accessibility and Attractiveness, and the Delivery of Ecosystem Services

The main goal of this article is to analyze how different barriers which restrict urban green space (UGS) provision – notably their availability, accessibility and attractiveness – affect the delivery of ecosystem services (ESs). Our analysis involves three case studies in Lodz, Poland: the removal of trees in private properties following the liberalization of the Nature Conservation Act (availability); the replacement of allotment gardens with a city beach (accessibility); and the organization of entertainment events in the forest (attractiveness). The analyzed barriers include governmental failures, insufficient social support for the existence of certain UGSs, changes in spatial planning and activities discouraging other users. Our analysis shows that physical access to UGSs is not always equal to access to ESs, and that different ESs are affected differently at the three levels of UGS provision. Also, those who suffer from the loss of access to ESs are often not involved in making the relevant UGS provision decisions. All of these issues add new aspects to the current debates related to political ecology, environmental justice and ES trade-offs

The impact of institutional aspects on the availability, accessibility, and attractiveness of green spaces in Lodz

Tereny zieleni wpływają na jakość życia i zdrowie mieszkańców miast, świadcząc na ich rzecz szereg usług ekosystemów. Jednak ograniczenie podaży terenów zieleni (a co za tym idzie – usług ekosystemów) ma zdecydowanie negatywny wpływ na kondycję psychofizyczną ludzi. Jednak samo istnienie terenów zieleni (zarówno tych formalnych, np. parki i lasy, jak i nieformalnych, np. nieużytki) nie wystarczy. Z punktu widzenia wielu potencjalnych korzyści, a w konsekwencji dostosowanego do potrzeb społecznych planowania przestrzennego, istotny jest również fizyczny dostęp do terenów zieleni oraz ich atrakcyjność. Z kolei korzyści te mogą znacznie ograniczać różnorodne bariery. Tymczasem w literaturze naukowej brakuje jednomyślności w definiowaniu różnych pojęć związanych z podażą terenów zieleni. Część naukowców używa wymiennie terminów: istnienie (availability) i dostępność (accessibility), pisząc o szeroko pojętej bliskości zieleni (proximity). Z kolei nierzadko atrakcyjność terenów zieleni jest utożsamiana z ich dostępnością i zbiorczo nazywana jakością. Właśnie do tego problemu badawczego odnoszę się w mojej rozprawie. W odpowiedzi na powyższe wyzwania i niejasności został określony główny cel mojej rozprawy: klasyfikacja barier instytucjonalnych wpływających na podaż terenów zieleni, a także rozróżnieniu poziomów wpływających na tę podaż. Postawiłam sobie za cel również operacjonalizację zaproponowanej klasyfikacji barier poprzez stworzenie zestawu wskaźników, które mogłyby być wykorzystane w innych badaniach związanych z tworzeniem i zarządzaniem terenami zieleni, a także w praktyce planistycznej. Główny cel mojej pracy doktorskiej powstał z potrzeby lepszego uporządkowania zagadnień związanych z istnieniem, dostępnością i atrakcyjnością miejskich terenów zieleni, które w literaturze są opisywane w nieusystematyzowany sposób.Urban green spaces (UGS) influence the quality of life and health of city residents by providing them with a number of ecosystem services. Limiting UGS provision (and thus – ecosystem services) has a negative impact on the psychophysical condition of people. However, the mere existence of UGS (both formal, such as parks and forests, and informal, such as brownfields) is not enough. From the point of view of many potential benefits, and, consequently, spatial planning adapted to social needs, physical access to UGS and their attractiveness are also important. In turn, these benefits can significantly reduce a variety of barriers. Meanwhile, the scientific literature lacks unanimity in defining various concepts related to UGS provision. Some scientists use the different terms interchangeably, e.g., ‘availability’ and ‘accessibility’, are often used in the broad sense of ‘proximity’. In turn, the attractiveness of UGS is often equated with their availability and collectively referred to as quality. This is the research problem that I address in my dissertation. In response to the above challenges and uncertainties, the main goal of my dissertation was to classify institutional barriers affecting UGS provision, and to differentiate the levels of this provision. At the same time, I intended to operationalize the proposed classification of barriers by creating a set of indicators that could be used in other research related to the creation and management of UGS, as well as in planning practice. The main goal of my doctoral dissertation arose from the need to better organize the issues related to the availability, accessibility, and attractiveness of UGS, which are described in the literature in an incongruent way.This research was funded through the 2015–2016 BiodivERsA COFUND call for research proposals, by the national funder: the National Science Centre, Poland (grant no. 2016/22/Z/NZ8/00003)

Podaż terenów zieleni w mieście. Jakość życia, standardy planowania, wartość

Publikacja finansowana ze środków funduszy norweskich oraz środków krajowych w ramach projektu „EkoMiasto. Kształcenie na rzecz zrównoważonego, inteligentnego i partycypacyjnego rozwoju miast” (FSS/2014/HEI/W/0081)

Cywilizacja Majów w nowych formach muzealnych. O przywłaszczaniu prekolumbijskiego dziedzictwa na rzecz meksykańskiej kultury narodowej

The Maya civilization in new forms of museum exposition. Appropriation of pre-Columbian heritage for the benefit of Mexican national cultureThe article is dedicated to the reconstruction and reinterpretation of pre-Columbian heritage by Mexican museums, with a special focus on the Maya civilization which is a permanent feature of the Mexican imagery and an object of artistic fascination. Characteristic of the history of the Yucatan, it is subject to symbolic manipulation and subordinated to the national culture. This is accompanied by the processes of its banalization, folklorization and commercialization which are facilitated by new audiovisual forms. References to the heritage are selective and the images are transformed and adjusted in order to develop apprehensible artistic products for the general public. Cywilizacja Majów w nowych formach muzealnych. O przywłaszczaniu prekolumbijskiego dziedzictwa na rzecz meksykańskiej kultury narodowejArtykuł poświęcony jest współczesnym działaniom w Meksyku w zakresie rekonstrukcji oraz reinterpretacji znaczenia spuścizny prekolumbijskiej dla kultury narodowej tego kraju, na przykładzie muzealnictwa. Chodzi zwłaszcza o dziedzictwo Majów, które jest trwałym elementem meksykańskiego imaginarium i obiektem artystycznej fascynacji. Charakterystyczne dla historii Jukatanu i jego ludności tubylczej, podlega ono zabiegom przywłaszczania na rzecz kultury narodowej, tj. podporządkowywania jako integralnej jej części. Towarzyszą temu procesy banalizacji, folkloryzacji oraz komercjalizacji spuścizny Majów, czego przykładem są nowe formy ekspozycyjne. Odniesienia do dziedzictwa mają charakter selektywny, obrazy traktowane są wybiórczo, adaptowane i poddawane obróbce audiowizualnej w celu wypracowania łatwych w odbiorze produktów artystycznych dla masowego odbiorcy, łączących w sposób swobodny przeszłość ze współczesnością

Interactions in flavanone and chalcone derivatives: Hirshfeld surface analysis, energy frameworks and global reactivity descriptors

The present study examines a series of flavanone and chalcone derivatives substituted with electron-withdrawing groups (Cl or Br) and electron-donating groups (OH, CH3 and OCH3), namely, 7-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-4-one, C16H14O3, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-4-one, C16H14O3, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-4-one, C17H16O3, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-4-one, C15H11ClO2, 8-bromo-6-methyl-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-4-one, C16H13BrO2, (2E)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, C16H14O3, and (2E)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, C15H12O3. It compares the two groups of derivatives with regard to their intermolecular interactions in the crystal lattice and lattice energy calculations, together with energy framework visualization and global reactivity descriptors (chemical hardness, chemical potential and electrophilicity index). It also discusses the relationships between different noncovalent interactions derived from Hirshfeld surface analysis, crystal lattice energy and global reactivity descriptors of the compounds

Ocena wpływu ciągłej analgezji zewnątrzoponowej z użyciem bupiwakainy i fentanylu w odcinku piersiowym kręgosłupa na przebieg pooperacyjny i śmiertelność u chorych operowanych z powodu tętniaka aorty brzusznej

Introduction. Continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (C-TEA) allows earlier postoperative mobilisation of patients and decreases the rate of complications. The above effects should be more prominent in older patients, with a higher risk according to American Society of Anesthesiology. Postoperative outcome and mortality rate were assessed in all patients undergoing abdominal aortic reconstruction surgery during an 18-month period, treated with the postoperative C-TEA (prospective group A; n = 36). Results were compared with patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery during the previous 18-month period, with the conventional postoperative analgesia with systemic analgesics (retrospective group B; n = 38). Results. Both groups did not significantly differ considering the type of implanted prosthesis (simple/Y; A: 22/14 vs. B: 15/23; p = 0.103), the type of operation (emergency/elective; A: 4/32 vs. B: 7/31; p = 0.554) and gender (female; A: 3/36 vs. B: 5/38; p = 0.769). Between groups the only significant difference was observed in the mean patients’ age (A: 65.4 ± 5.6 vs. B: 68.6 ± 5.7; p = 0.0324, Student’s t-test), and, which was more pronounced, in the mortality rate (A: 3/36 vs. . B: 12/38; p = 0.0280, c2 test). Conclusions. Concluding, 1) the mortality rate was four times lower in patients treated with C-TEA than in patients with conventional postoperative analgesia, 2) we cannot exclude additional effects caused by the type of prosthesis or general medical patients’ condition on the mortality rate.Wstęp. Ciągła analgezja zewnątrzoponowa stosowana w piersiowym odcinku kręgosłupa (C-TEA) umożliwia wcześniejszy powrót chorego do aktywności życiowej i zmniejsza częstość powikłań po operacji. Wpływ ten częściej obserwuje się u chorych w starszym wieku należących do grupy podwyższonego ryzyka według ASA, operowanych z powodu tętniaka aorty brzusznej. W pracy oceniano przebieg pooperacyjny i śmiertelność okołooperacyjną u wszystkich chorych operowanych w ciągu 18 miesięcy z powodu tętniaka aorty brzusznej, którzy otrzymywali C-TEA w okresie pooperacyjnym (grupa prospektywna A, n = 36) w porównaniu z analogiczną grupą chorych, operowanych w ciągu poprzednich 18 miesięcy, u których stosowano tradycyjne leczenie przeciwbólowe (grupa retrospektywna B, n = 38). Wyniki. W obu grupach nie zaobserwowano różnic znamiennie statystycznych pod względem rodzaju wszytej protezy: prostej lub typu „Y” (A: 22/14 vs. B: 15/23; p = 0,103), częstości operacji nagłych lub planowych (A: 4/32 vs. B: 7/31; p = 0,554) i płci (kobiety A: 3/36 vs. B: 5/38; p = 0,769). Znamienną statystycznie różnicą pomiędzy grupami był średni wiek chorych (A: 65,4 ± 5,6 vs. B: 68,6 ± 5,7; p = 0,0324, test t-Studenta) oraz śmiertelność okołooperacyjna (A: 3/36 vs. B: 12/38; p = 0,0280, test χ2). Wnioski. Podsumowując, śmiertelność okołooperacyjna u chorych otrzymujących C-TEA była 4 razy mniejsza niż u chorych, u których stosowano tradycyjne leczenie przeciwbólowe. Nie można wykluczyć wpływu czynników dodatkowych, takich jak inny rodzaj protezy lub różnice stanu klinicznego chorych, na okołooperacyjną śmiertelność

Exercise-Induced Arrhythmia or Munchausen Syndrome in a Marathon Runner?

A 36-year-old professional marathon runner reported sudden irregular palpitations occurring during competitions, with heart rates (HR) up to 230 bpm recorded on a sports HR monitor (HRM) over 4 years. These episodes subsided upon the cessation of exercise. Electrocardiograms, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging results were borderline for athlete's heart. Because an electrophysiology study and standard exercise tests provoked no arrhythmia, doctors suspected Munchausen syndrome. Ultimately, an exercise test that simulated the physical effort of a competition provoked tachyarrhythmia consistent with the HRM readings. This case demonstrates the diagnostic difficulties related to exercise-induced arrhythmia and the diagnostic usefulness of sports HRMs

Intravenous N-acetylcysteine for the PRevention Of Contrast-induced nephropathy : a prospective, single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial : the INPROC trial

Introduction: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common clinical problem that is growing in importance as an increasing number of tests and procedures which utilize contrast media (CM) are performed. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for prevention of CIN after diagnostic and/or interventional procedures requiring CM administration. Material and methods: In a prospective, single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial the preventive effects of N-acetylcysteine were evaluated in 222 patients undergoing elective angiography and/or angioplasty. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either NAC or placebo. All patients received intravenous hydration with normal saline before and after catheterization. Serum creatinine (SCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate were assessed at baseline, at 48–72 h and 10–15 days after CM administration. Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as an increase in SCr of at least 44 μmol/l (0.5 mg/dl) or an increase of ≥ 25% of the baseline value 48–72 h after CM administration. Results: Contrast-induced nephropathy occurred in 30 of 222 patients (13.5%): 9 of 108 patients in NAC (8.3%) and 21 of 114 patients in the control group (18.4%; p = 0.0281). The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that elevated SCr at 10–15 days (HR = 2.69; p = 0.018) and baseline SCr level (HR = 1.009; p = 0.015) were independent prognostic variables for adverse events during follow-up. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that intravenous NAC along with intravenous hydration may help prevent declining renal function after CM exposure. Elevated SCr level 10–15 days after CM administration was associated with increased risk of adverse events in long-term observation, while elevated SCr within 72 h was not. Measuring SCr at least 10 days after exposure to CM may provide a better outcome measure

The impact of pulmonary regurgitation on right ventricular size and function in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot and additional haemodynamic abnormalities

Purpose: Right ventricular (RV) outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) was demonstrated to be protective against RV dilatation in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot and chronic pulmonary regurgitation (PR). We hypothesised that the presence of additional haemodynamic abnormalities (more than mild tricuspid regurgitation, residual ventricular septal defect) reduces this protective association. Accordingly, we aimed to assess the impact of PR on RV size and function in this population. Material and methods: Consecutive patients with additional haemodynamic abnormalities after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair, who had undergone cardiovascular magnetic resonance, were included. Results: Out of 90 patients studied, 18 individuals (mean age 32.5 ± 10.7 years, 72.2% males) met the inclusion criteria. There were no differences in RV volumes and ejection fraction between patients with and without RVOTO. Neither PR fraction (PRF) nor PR volume (PRV) correlated with RV end-diastolic volume (r = 0.36; p = 0.15 and r = 0.37; p = 0.14, respectively, for PRF and PRV) or RV end-systolic volume (r = 0.2; p = 0.42 and r = 0.19; p = 0.45, respectively, for PRF and PRV). Similarly, no significant correlations were observed between PRF or PRV and RV ejection fraction (r = –0.04; p = 0.87 and r = –0.03; p = 0.9, respectively). Conclusions: Additional haemodynamic abnormalities are associated with the abolition of the protective effect of RVOTO on RV size. There was no significant relationship between measures of PR and RV volumes in patients after TOF repair with concomitant haemodynamic abnormalities. These abnormalities acted as confounding factors in the assessment of the impact of pulmonary regurgitation on RV size and function

Conceptualizing multidimensional barriers: a framework for assessing constraints in realizing recreational benefits of urban green spaces

This article was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.Although potential urban green space accessibility is being discussed widely, specific barriers that affect accessibility are often under-estimated. They do not equate to limited or uneven accessibility nor are they exclusively related to physical settings. Rather, the range of barriers and their complex interactions, including people’s perceptions, personal conditions, and institutional frameworks, make this topic less clear cut and difficult to put into practice for planning purposes. Given the importance of barriers when people make decisions, we present a conceptual framework to capture the cumulative and interactive effects of different barriers on realizing recreational benefits of urban green spaces. The framework classifies physical, personal, and institutional barriers and highlights their interactions based on three case studies: Stockholm, Leipzig, and Lodz. We argue that constraints to the accessibility of urban green spaces are not so much the interactions between various physical, personal, and institutional barriers, but more the significance that beneficiaries assign to them as perceived barrier effects. Studying barriers seeks to improve the knowledge about the non-use of urban green spaces and to enable us to draw conclusions about the actual accessibility of recreational benefits. Deduced from the conceptual framework, three pathways are contrasted for improving accessibility to the recreational benefits of urban green spaces: the environment, knowledge, and engagement. We argue that these pathways should not be a diffuse objective, but a sensitive and scale-dependent re-balance of individual, physical, and institutional factors for considering justice in environmental and green space planning and management. Our systematic conceptualization and classification of multidimensional barriers enables a more comprehensive understanding of individuals’ decisions in terms of accessing recreational benefits.Peer Reviewe