Search Results (1,179)

Preventing child maltreatment requires approaches that address some of the major root causes including ensuring children and families have access to the essentials like housing, food, and medical care. Colorado’s Family Development Services (FDS) improves family economic self-sufficiency (ESS) and health, which are both protective factors linked to reduced child maltreatment. This study examines how the readiness to change, both at the start and throughout FDS enrollment, impacts ESS and health outcomes. FDS, implemented in Family Resource Centers (FRCs), uses evidence-based practices including family-centered programming, motivational interviewing, and goal setting, in addition to connecting families to resources. We hypothesized that these practices foster readiness to change, which, in turn, improves ESS and health. Using data from 2031 families via the Colorado Family Support Assessment (CFSA) 2.0, we applied three multilevel models. The results showed an early readiness to change was linked to greater ESS and health improvements, while accumulated readiness over time led to more rapid progress. These findings underscore the value of family-focused and family-empowering practices for providers, policymakers, and funders who support family and child development services. Further, these results suggest that FRCs should prioritize building strong relationships, employing motivational strategies, and supporting family-driven goal setting to decrease the risk of child maltreatment. Full article

In this research, the effects of organic amendments and planting methods on the grain yields, enzyme activity, soil quality, and the structures of fungal populations in the rhizosphere of rice were evaluated. In comparison to the control group with direct seeding, the transplanting method resulted in a 23.5% higher grain yield. Furthermore, rice straw addition significantly improved fungal diversity indices (i.e., Chao1, ACE, Shannon, and Simpson). Dissimilarity distances and principal coordinate analysis revealed substantial variations in the compositions of root-associated fungal communities across the experimental groups with different planting methods. When the transplanting method was used, the Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Olpidiomycota, Aphelidiomycota, Monoblepharomycota, and Calcarisporiellomycota phyla became dominant. Biochar and rice straw applications caused substantial increases in the abundance of the Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Rozellomycota, Mucoromycota, Olpidiomycota, Aphelidiomycota, and Gammaproteobacteria phyla. Changes in enzyme activity and the physicochemical properties of the soil were also observed across the treatment groups with different planting methods and organic amendments. Direct seeding enhanced cellulase activity, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, available nitrogen, available potassium, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen, whereas transplanting boosted the activity of sucrase and urease enzymes. Rice straw application enhanced cellulase activity and the concentrations of available nitrogen, available phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen in the soil. Biochar addition resulted in increased urease activity, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, soil pH, and available potassium. The Ascomycota abundance and grain yield exhibited a positive connection, while unclassified_Fungi exhibited negative correlations with the soil pH, organic carbon, available phosphorus, grain yield, and activity of sucrase and urease. Mortierellomycota was positively correlated with microbial biomass nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. Overall, both the organic additives and planting methods influenced the soil properties, enzyme activity, rhizosphere fungal populations, and grain yield. These results provide new insights and a theoretical basis for studying the changes in soil fungal diversity and richness with different planting methods and organic amendments in Northeastern China. Full article

Among the Anaañ people in Akwa Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria, the practice of naming serves as a central mechanism for communicating personal identity, recollecting memory and preserving social hierarchy across generations. The act of naming a child after a revered ancestor or existing relative is a form of moral inheritance that binds the name bearer to certain virtues, histories, and expected cultural nuance associated with the namesake. This article investigates the social functions of namesaking and in its role in family inheritance amongst the Anaañ people. This study examines the rituals, ceremonies, and narratives associated with namesaking, and further analyses the intergenerational authority and social status embedded in the practice. The analysis is rooted in social memory theory by Halbwachs (1992), which views names as memory carriers that connect individuals to their nativity and ancestors. Drawing from ethnographic research design, using participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 30 participants who were purposively sampled, the analysis reveals that namesaking and inheritance are interwoven cultural processes that promote social identity, reproduce lineage hierarchies, and individuate the bearer within the social universe of the community. This study concludes that in the Anaañ society namesaking is a symbol of continuity, with specific social expectations, moral obligations and traditional roles tied to the original name-holder. Full article

Traffic congestion and travel time uncertainty remain major challenges to the operational efficiency of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in urban areas of developing countries. This study proposes an integrated solution for the Trans Metro Bandung (TMB) system by leveraging Internet of Things (IoT)–based GPS data and tree-based ensemble machine learning algorithms. Spatio-temporal data collected from on-board GPS modules are processed to predict traffic congestion levels and estimate travel time across route segments. The performance of Decision Tree, Random Forest, and XGBoost models is evaluated in terms of prediction accuracy, interpretability, and computational efficiency, with particular consideration for deployment on resource-constrained hardware. Experiments conducted on 20,156 data samples show that the Decision Tree model achieves the highest congestion classification accuracy of 96.8%, while Random Forest outperforms other models in travel time regression, achieving an R² value of 0.95 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 5.80 min. The trained models are successfully deployed on a Raspberry Pi 3B microcontroller for real-time inference, enabling fleet management and travel planning without reliance on cloud connectivity. The results demonstrate that cost-effective and interpretable machine learning solutions can deliver reliable performance in heterogeneous urban infrastructures while providing a replicable framework for medium-sized cities seeking to implement affordable smart transportation systems. Full article

In this paper, a method for determining the filling level of grooves (1 mm (W) × 0.25 mm (H)) in pressed titanium pipe-fitting joints is presented. The joints are inspected in a water bath using a 20 MHz phased array ultrasound, and the acquired raw B-scans are evaluated by a convolutional neural network that performs per-groove regression. Reference filling levels are obtained destructively from micrographs. Compared to X-ray computed tomography and destructive sectioning, the proposed approach overcomes the low material contrast between pipe and fitting, avoids long scan times, and enables a nondestructive, potentially inline-capable quantitative assessment of sub-millimeter grooves. A manual high-frequency ultrasound evaluation with a single probe and conceivable rule-based time-of-flight pipelines with hand-crafted echo picking and thresholds both show only moderate agreement with CT references and require substantial feature engineering for multiple echoes. In contrast, the PAUT-CNN method exploits the full raw B-scan without explicit feature design and achieves a root mean square error of about 7% of the groove filling levels on a held-out test set, corresponding to an absolute error on the order of a few tens of micrometers in groove height. This demonstrates that high-frequency phased array ultrasound combined with data-driven evaluation can quantitatively assess the filling of sub-millimeter grooves in aerospace-relevant press-fit connections. Full article

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in forest soils is a key constraint on the sustainable management and productivity of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantations. This study investigated how P limitation alters the reciprocal exchange of “photosynthetic carbon and mineral phosphorus” between Chinese fir and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) when the focal plant grows adjacent to neighbors with different degrees of relatedness. An indoor pot experiment simulating heterogeneous P supply was conducted using clonal seedlings of Chinese fir No. 36 as the focal plant, with Chinese fir No. 36, Chinese fir No. 41, and Schima superba as neighboring plants to establish three two-plant combinations: a kin pair (No. 36 + No. 36), a close-kin pair (No. 36 + No. 41), and an unrelated-kin pair (No. 36 + S. superba). Funneliformis mosseae was inoculated into the shared root-zone room connecting the two plants, and the neighbor was subjected to a gradient of P limitation (sufficient P, low P, and zero P). Meanwhile, the focal No. 36 plant received ¹³CO₂ pulse labeling to form a “Chinese fir–AMF–P-limited neighbor” symbiotic network in which No. 36 served as the ¹³C donor. AMF colonization, seedling growth, and changes in ¹³C enrichment and P concentration in plant tissues of the focal plant were quantified. Neighbor P limitation significantly increased AMF colonization in roots and whole-plant P concentration of the focal Chinese fir. Following ¹³CO₂ pulse labeling, whole-plant ¹³C enrichment of the focal plant increased significantly under the neighbor zero P treatment, suggesting enhanced carbon allocation under severe neighbor P limitation. Moreover, under the neighbor zero P treatment, focal plants grown with an unrelated-kin neighbor showed significant increases in stem P concentration (1.86 g·kg⁻¹) and stem atom% ¹³C (1.50%), whereas focal plants grown with a kin neighbor exhibited a significant increase in root Atom% ¹³C (1.29%). These patterns indicate that neighbor relatedness may modulate carbon allocation and P acquisition within the mycorrhizal network: in the kin context, the focal plant tended to allocate more photosynthetic carbon belowground and may partially subsidize the AMF carbon demand (i.e., a higher C reward), coinciding with a relatively weaker P accumulation in its own tissues; in contrast, in the unrelated kin context, carbon allocation shifted toward stems and was associated with strengthened P accumulation in stem tissues. Overall, the results highlight the dynamic nature of AMF-mediated carbon–nutrient reciprocity across hosts of contrasting relatedness and provide new insights into how mycorrhizal networks may facilitate plant adaptation to nutrient limitation. Full article

Hydraulic redistribution (HR) in plants facilitates bidirectional water transport through the vascular system in response to soil water potential gradients, with implications for ecological facilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and results obtained with high-precision weighing lysimeters in detecting HR in olive (Olea europaea L.) using a split-root experimental setup with potted trees. Sixteen pots, each containing half of a plant’s root system, were independently monitored for mass changes to quantify HR between irrigated and water-stressed compartments. The independent weighing of each pair of linked pots was a challenge, but the purpose-built precision lysimeter array effectively isolated weights despite mechanical connections between pot pairs. Results demonstrated measurable water redistribution via roots from irrigated to dry pots, with mass transfer from the irrigated side to the non-irrigated side of the plants, between 10 and 70 g. After irrigation, non-irrigated pots received by HR on average between 3 and 12% of the irrigation water applied in irrigated pots. This furthermore highlighted the potential of the lysimeters for precise quantification of plant-mediated water dynamics. It was observed that HR intensity peaked shortly after irrigation, some hours to one day, and diminished over time, with higher intensity during nocturnal periods or cloudy humid daily conditions of negligible or null evapotranspiration. These findings confirm previous observations with reverse sap flow sensors, now with a different experimental approach, which appears precise but only possible for potted plants, allowing further understanding of HR. Full article

The negative effects of soil heavy metal contamination on food production could be mitigated using nature-based solutions, i.e., plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Yield of Lactuca sativa L. has been shown to increase by seed inoculation with biofilm of Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii. The aim of this work was to assess whether this promoting effect occurs even in the presence of toxic concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). First, germination rates of lettuce seeds with increasing Cu and Zn concentrations were assessed. Then, lettuce plants growing from inoculated and non-inoculated seeds were cropped on substrates with excess Cu and Zn. Above- and below-ground lettuce variables were measured, and leaf macro- and microelements were determined. Germination was more severely affected by Cu overload than by Zn overload, while this trend was reversal for plant growth. Seed inoculation enhanced germination and increased plant growth assessed by root and shoot biomass, plant height and leaf area. For example, seed inoculation increased lettuce root and aerial biomass of lettuce growing on a metal- free substrate by 68% and 62%, respectively. This practice also promoted lettuce growth in metal-overloaded substrates, increasing aerial and root biomass by 32% and 29%, respectively, in connection with Cu, and by 260% and 183% when it came to Zn. Both Cu or Zn accumulated in the edible parts of lettuce growing on contaminated substrates, but seed inoculation did not mitigate metal uptake in any case. Except for Cu and Zn, macronutrients, micronutrients and heavy metal levels in lettuce leaves were affected neither by excess metal nor by seed inoculation. Altogether, B. subtilis biofilm has been proven to be an effective seed inoculant promoting seed germination and plant growth even in the presence of heavy metals. Adverse health effects due to metal accumulation in the lettuce edible parts are not expected to increase following seed inoculation. Full article

The second immanantal polynomial is one of the important directions in algebraic theory. Let $M=\left[m_{ij}\right]$ be an $n\times n$ matrix. The second immanant of matrix M is defined as $d_2\left(M\right)={\sum }_{\sigma \in S_n}\chi \left(\sigma \right){\prod }_{i=1}^n{m}_{i\sigma \left(i\right)}$, where $\chi$ is the irreducible character of the symmetric group $S_n$ of degree n, corresponding to the partition $(2^1,1^{n-2})$. Let G be a graph with n vertices. Denote by $Q\left(G\right)$ the signless Laplacian matrix of G. The second signless Laplacian immanantal polynomial of G is defined as $d_2(xI-Q\left(G\right))={\sum }_{k=0}^n{(-1)}^k{c}_k\left(G\right)x^{n-k}$, where $c_k\left(G\right)$ is the coefficient of this polynomial. This paper investigates fundamental properties of this polynomial. First, we give combinatorial expressions for the first few coefficients of the second signless Laplacian immanantal polynomial. Next, we prove that the polynomial has no zero or negative real roots for connected graphs. Furthermore, we show that there is an equivalence relation among three polynomials for regular graphs, which implies that if two regular graphs share the same characteristic polynomial, then they also share the same second signless Laplacian immanantal polynomial. Finally, we prove that paths and almost complete graphs are determined by their second signless Laplacian immanantal polynomials. Full article

We propose a novel theoretical framework for describing photon–electron interactions and electron collision processes in a unified manner within quantum electrodynamics. Specifically, we develop a method to construct the Dirac operator in curved spacetime using only matrix representations rooted in the basis structure of four-dimensional gamma matrix algebra, without introducing vierbeins (tetrads) or independent spin connections. We realize 16 gamma matrices with two indices as $256\times 256$ matrices and embed the spacetime metric directly into the matrix elements. This reduces geometric operations such as covariantization, connection-like operations, and basis transformations to matrix products and trace calculations, yielding a unified and transparent computational scheme. The spacetime dimension remains as four, and the number “16” represents the number of basis elements of four-dimensional gamma matrix algebra ($2^4=16$). Based on the extended QED Lagrangian, vertex rules, propagators, spin sums, and traces can be handled uniformly, making it suitable for automation. As validation of this method, we analyzed four fundamental scattering processes in atomic and particle physics: (i) Compton scattering (photon–electron scattering), (ii) muon pair production ($e^{+}{e}^{-}\to {\mu }^{+}{\mu }^{-}$), (iii) Møller scattering (electron–electron collision), and (iv) Bhabha scattering (electron–positron collision). In the flat spacetime limit, we confirmed the exact reproduction of standard quantum electrodynamics (QED) results including the Klein–Nishina formula. Furthermore, trial calculations using a metric with off-diagonal components show systematic deviations from flat results near scattering angle $\theta \approx {90}^{\circ }$, suggesting that metric-induced angular dependence could in principle serve as an observable signature. The matrix representation developed in this work enables unified pipeline execution of theoretical calculations for photon interactions and charged particle collision processes, with expected applications to precision calculations in atomic and particle physics. Full article

Submerged aquatic macrophytes and their microbiomes can help mitigate eutrophication, yet how microbial communities and functions differ across specific plant-associated and surrounding niches remains unclear. Here, we profiled bacterial community composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and quantified nitrogen and phosphorus cycling genes (narG, nirK, nirS, nosZ, phoD by qPCR) across eight distinct compartments associated with the submerged macrophyte Hydrilla verticillata in a eutrophic freshwater wetland. The niches spanned open water, bulk sediment, rhizosphere, and plant phyllosphere (leaf/stem surfaces) and endosphere (leaf/stem/root interiors). Alpha diversity differed significantly among niches: sediments (non-rhizosphere and rhizosphere) exhibited the highest Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) richness and diversity, whereas leaf-associated niches (phyllosphere and endosphere) had the lowest. Beta diversity showed clear separation by niche, indicating strong habitat filtering. Community composition also varied markedly: the water column was dominated by Bacteroidota (~51% of sequences), plant-associated communities were enriched in Pseudomonadota (43–90%), and sediment niches were dominated by Firmicutes (23~48%). Functional gene abundances showed pronounced niche partitioning. Nitrate/nitrite reduction genes (narG, nirK, nirS) were most enriched on leaf phyllosphere, with narG abundance equally high in the water, whereas the N₂O reductase gene nosZ peaked in sediment niches. The alkaline phosphatase gene phoD had its highest copy numbers in leaf biofilms, with significantly lower levels in internal plant tissues. Overall, neutral processes explained ~61% of community variation, but deterministic assembly was evident in the well-connected water and leaf surface niches. These findings reveal strong niche differentiation in plant-associated microbiomes and suggest that compartmentalized microbial functional capacity within the H. verticillata holobiont enhances nitrogen removal and phosphorus cycling in eutrophic waters. Full article

Weld cracking is a predominant damage mode in tubular connections. Such welds tend to crack prematurely before reaching their ultimate load-bearing capacity, and the damage mode of cracked joints differs significantly from that of seamless ones. This study focuses on the deformation behavior of K-joints with weld cracking at the root of the tension branch. The mechanical properties of the joints under various conditions were analyzed based on experimental observations, load–displacement curves, strain responses, and surface temperature distributions of specimens. Moreover, comparisons were made between the deformation behaviors of joints with and without cracks, and finite element analysis (FEA) was employed for corresponding validation. The main conclusions are as follows: Weld cracking significantly affects joint stiffness and remarkably alters the joint damage mode. Reinforcement plates can effectively strengthen members with cracked welds; however, this reinforcement enhances the stiffness of the tension branch region, thereby altering the force transmission mechanism of the joints. This research offers theoretical and experimental insights for the engineering application of K-joint structures. Full article

Cohesion among individuals reflects the quality of relationships and interpersonal interaction within a community. Elements such as social connections, trust, and a sense of belonging serve as key indicators of societal cohesion and are often rooted in acts of good neighborliness. Despite this, limited knowledge exists regarding perceptions and behaviors related to good neighborliness within South African society. The present study examines how perceptions and practices of good neighborliness contribute to the development of cohesive communities. Research was conducted in four South African communities: Philippolis, Lambert’s Bay, Caledon, and Grabouw. Utilizing an interpretivist approach, the study adopted a qualitative methodology involving interviews with 25 participants, including family members and community stakeholders. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and thematic analysis facilitated the identification of recurring patterns and key themes. The principal themes identified were everyday mutual support and practical assistance, moral norms and values of care, social familiarity and community connectedness, trust and good neighborliness, and intergroup relations and cohesion across diversity. The findings demonstrate the crucial role of good neighborliness in advancing social cohesion. For communities and families to thrive, it is vital that members experience safety and cultivate trusting relationships, which often requires openness about their vulnerabilities and needs. Full article

Rural tourism is defined as a tourism activity in which the visitor’s experience is linked to agricultural activities, rural lifestyles, and traditional cultures. In many geographical contexts, especially in Europe, because the rural economy is so deeply tied to family farming, this form of tourism is referred to as “agritourism”, even though agrotourism is a specific subset of rural tourism defined by the integration of tourism with a working farm or agricultural operation. The entry delineates the transformative dynamics of rural tourism in the context of global shifts towards personalized, experiential travel. It examines how contemporary tourists increasingly seek authentic and immersive experiences as a response to the superficiality of mass tourism. This trend leads travellers to engage deeply with local cultures, thereby fostering connections with community life and prioritizing sustainability. Amidst challenges such as environmental degradation and overtourism, rural tourism emerges as a viable alternative, offering unique, less-congested destinations that cater to travellers’ desire for exclusivity and genuine discovery. The paper traces the historical evolution of rural tourism from its European origins in mid-20th-century agricultural practices to its current status as a vital component of rural development strategies. Through a comparative analysis of two distinct regional scenarios, Europe and Oceania, this article elucidates how local contexts shape tourism practices. The analysis highlights the pivotal role of gastronomy in enriching tourist experiences and emphasizes the need for digital literacy and eco-effectiveness in rural tourism operations. Although the entry does not provide a comprehensive global perspective on rural tourism or a quantitative environmental account of the sector’s impact, it ultimately conveys that rural tourism is a critical engine of regional vitality and sustainability, illustrating the juxtaposition of historical roots and contemporary trends that define this evolving sector. Full article

Background and Objectives: Gingival recession (GR) is a recognized periodontal condition that can expose the tooth root, imposing aesthetic, functional, and hypersensitivity concerns. We conducted this study to investigate xenogenic soft tissue substitutes as potential alternatives to the gold standard connective tissue graft (CTG) for the treatment of multiple GR. Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library was conducted until October 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing connective tissue graft (CTG) to xenogeneic substitutes (XCM or P-XADM) for treating multiple gingival recessions. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the RoB 2 tool, 2019 version. Data were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for primary (mean root coverage, MRC; complete root coverage, CRC) and secondary outcomes (clinical attachment level, CAL; keratinized tissue width, KTW; gingival thickness, GT; probing depth, PD). Results: Sixteen RCTs (632 patients, 1878 recessions) were included. At 6 and 12 months, CTG demonstrated a significantly greater MRC than both XCM (MD −13.4% and −11.05%) and P-XADM (MD −11.63% at 12 months). CTG was also superior to XCM in achieving CRC at 6 months (RR = 0.71, 95% CI [0.62 to 0.82]). For secondary outcomes, CTG showed superior gains in CAL and KTW at 12 months compared with both xenogeneic materials. GT was significantly greater in the CTG than in the XCM group in 12 months. No significant differences were found in PD at all time points. Conclusions: CTG continues to have superior clinical outcomes in the treatment of multiple GR. However, xenogenic materials are a promising alternative, particularly when patient comfort and satisfaction are prioritized. Future well-designed trials with larger sample sizes and standardized outcomes are needed to validate their clinical benefits and long-term stability. Full article