Community Organizations Research Articles

Composition, divergence and variability: A comprehensive analysis of fish trait responses to connectivity

Connectivity, a fundamental concept in ecology, refers to the extent to which different habitats or ecosystems are interconnected through the movement of organisms, nutrients, and energy. Lateral hydrological connectivity (LHC) plays an especially critical role in shaping aquatic community organization in river-floodplain systems. However, a comprehensive understanding of various trait responses to LHC remains elusive. We characterized how attributes of fish community traits, specifically composition, divergence, and temporal variability respond to LHC in the Austrian-Hungarian floodplains of the Danube River using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. Trait composition was quantified by community-level weighted means (CWM) as the degree of changes in trait responses along the LHC gradient from isolated oxbows to the main river. Divergence was measured using Rao’s quadratic functional diversity index and a null model approach to calculate standardized effect sizes (SES), with larger SES values indicating greater divergence and smaller values indicating convergence. Temporal variability, representing the degree of instability in community traits over time, was calculated using a functional beta diversity measure for multiple communities. Our findings revealed apparent compositional changes for many trait variables, highlighting the significance of LHC in shaping community functional diversity. Divergence patterns indicated that isolated habitats foster trait convergence presumably due to habitat filtering, whereas more connected areas promote trait divergence due to higher species richness and habitat availability. Temporal variability of traits associated with flow preference exhibited a hump-shaped relationship with LHC, suggesting intermediate connectivity zones are hotspots of ecological dynamism. The study suggests that examining composition, divergence, and temporal variability together provides a more complete understanding of trait responses to connectivity, stressing the importance of maintaining diverse connectivity levels in river-floodplain systems for effective conservation and ecosystem management.

Patient engagement in a community-partnered hybrid health-related social needs navigation intervention for adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYA-NAV).

173 Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYAs) cancer survivors experience high rates of financial toxicity (FT), which is associated with poorer health outcomes. FT may disproportionately affect AYAs with unmet health-related social needs (HRSN), such as food or housing insecurity. Needs navigation may be an effective intervention to reduce financial distress, however, engagement has been a challenge in prior adult-directed interventions. We hypothesize that a hybrid navigation delivery model with community organization support and digital delivery will reduce financial distress and improve health outcomes. In a pilot study of AYA-NAV, an AYA-directed needs navigation intervention, we report patient engagement among participants. Methods: Eligible AYAs were 15-39 years old, Spanish- or English-speaking, receiving curative-intent treatment for cancer, and screened positive for FT (Comprehensive Score of Financial Toxicity < 22) or unmet HRSN (food, housing, transportation, or utilities insecurity). Participants were referred for a consultation with the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF), a national organization that provides case management and navigation support for people facing life limiting illness. At month 1, participants were referred to findhelp.org, a digital platform of comprehensive resources to facilitate resolution of unmet HRSN. Monthly check-ins were conducted by the study team to assess acceptability, intervention fidelity, and provide additional navigation support. We plan to enroll 30 participants on this study. Results: Of 19 AYAs that completed screening to date, 13 met criteria for FT or unmet HRSN; 13 (100%) agreed to AYA-NAV participation. To date, of 46 check-ins initiated by the study team, 33 (72%) were completed. All AYAs connected with the study team at least once during the 6-month duration of the study by text, phone, and/or in-clinic. Ten out of 13 (77%) participants reported that they spoke with a PAF case manager, and 7 (70%) of those said it was helpful. If the patient was unable to connect with PAF, more than half (55%) requested to be reconnected during a monthly check-in. Eight of the 13 (62%) participants visited findhelp.org; 6 (75%) of those found the digital platform to be helpful. Most patients referenced the high usability of findhelp.org, and 55% stated they connected to community resources via findhelp.org. Patients qualitatively reported challenges to intervention participation including medical complications, scheduling conflicts, and work commitments. Conclusions: Preliminary data demonstrate high patient engagement and intervention fidelity during a pilot feasibility study of AYA-NAV. Flexible modes for data collection and intervention delivery are important to inclusion of and retention of AYAs in hybrid navigation delivery models. Clinical trial information: NCT06072833 .

Lessons From Baltimore for Participatory Research

A pastor and community organizer explains what a landmark Black neuroscience study needed to gain insight, influence, and credibility.

SOCIAL NETWORKS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES

This paper examines the social networks of children and parents of single-parent households, focusing on the special challenges and resources that characterize these families. Single-parent households face a specific set of challenges like financial stress and social isolation that can powerfully influence the well-being of both children and parents. We explore these questions using a mixed-methods approach that combines in-depth qualitative interviews and surveys to understand the structure and functioning of these networks in terms of emotional, social, and practical support. The great majority of children in single-parent families rely on relationships within peer groups, which are essential for children both as sources of emotional resilience and as reflecting their growing sense of social development. On the other hand, other networks for parents exist, such as extended family, friends, and community organizations, that are significant in reducing their levels of stress and sense of belonging. The study outlines how social support through community resources—the availability of local support groups, educational programs, and the like—can help fortify these social connections and family relationships. Ultimately, the study is looking to inform policymakers and practitioners about specific services single-parent families need, so that these can be leveraged in developing targeted interventions to strengthen familial and community relationships. Because we recognize and foster the social networks that are accessible to these families, we can be contributing to better outcomes for children and their parents.

The Stakeholders Engagement Study in Rural Development Program

Rural development is integral to achieving sustainable development in Indonesia, where success is measured from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. As a region with cultural riches and abundant natural resources, the Special Region of Yogyakarta has become a focal point in village development efforts. One example of successful village development is in Kulwaru Village, where communal cattle were constructed. This research aims to explore the role and engagement of stakeholders in village development in the case of communal cattle. This study uses a qualitative case study method by collecting data through in-depth interviews with 15 informants, including local government, group leaders, community leaders, community organizations, and other related organizations. The data was then analyzed descriptively, and a power and interest matrix was used to determine the role positions of the stakeholders. This research found that stakeholder engagement has different powers and interests. Stakeholders included in the categories (1) Key players: administrators, livestock group members, and BKM Bina Mandiri; (2) Keep Informed: Kubaweta Cooperative, Puskeswan, IAAS UGM, and Academics. (3) Keep Satisfied: Kulwaru Village Government, District Agriculture and Food Service. Kulon Progo, the Central and Provincial PUPR Ministries; and (4) monitor category, the PUPR District Service. Kulon Progo. Collaboration between these stakeholders plays a vital role in the success of building communal cattle and surviving and overcoming the slum environment problems faced by the people of Kulwaru Village.

Conversion practice recall and mental health symptoms in sexual and gender minority adults in the USA: a cross-sectional study

Conversion practices are associated with psychological morbidity, yet few studies have evaluated differences between efforts to change gender identity, sexual orientation, or both. We aimed to examine the individual and joint association of conversion practice recall targeted at gender identity or sexual orientation, or both, with current mental health symptoms among sexual and gender minority people. This cross-sectional study used data from The PRIDE Study, a US-based, online, prospective cohort study of sexual and gender minority adults who were recruited through social media, digital advertisements, and sexual and gender minority community-based events and organisations. For this analysis, we included participants who completed a lifetime questionnaire in 2019-20 and a subsequent annual questionnaire in 2020-21 without missing outcome data. All questionnaires were in English. The exposure was lifetime recall of conversion practice targeting gender identity alone, sexual orientation alone, or both (versus no conversion practice). Mental health outcomes were continuous measures: Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (depression) scale, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 6-item scale, and Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised scale. We used linear regression to analyse the associations of conversion practice recall and mental health symptoms, controlling for demographic and childhood factors and stratified between cisgender and transgender and gender diverse groups. Sensitivity analyses evaluated the potential impact of unmeasured confounding. Analyses were conducted in R. We included people with related lived experience in the design and implementation of this study. Of 6601 participants who completed the lifetime questionnaire in 2019-20, 4440 completed the subsequent annual questionnaire in 2020 or 2021, and 4426 did not have missing outcome data. Of the 4426 included participants, 4073 (92·0%) identified as White (either alone or in combination with other ethnoracial options), 460 (10·4%) identified with multiple ethnoracial identities, and 1923 (43·4%) were transgender and gender diverse. Participants' age ranged from 18 years to 84 years (median 31·7 years, IQR 25·5-44·1). 149 (3·4%) participants reported sexual orientation-related conversion practice alone, 43 (1·0%) reported gender identity-related conversion practice alone, and 42 (1·0%) reported both. Recalling both forms of conversion practice was most strongly associated with greater post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; β 2·84, 95% CI 0·94-4·74) and suicidality (2·14, 0·95-3·32) symptoms. Recall of only sexual orientation-related conversion practice was associated with greater symptoms of PTSD (1·10, 0·22-1·98). Recall of gender identity-related conversion practice alone was most strongly associated with greater depressive symptoms (3·24, 1·03-5·46). Only associations for suicidality differed between cisgender and transgender and gender diverse participants, although the latter showed higher mental health symptoms overall. Findings were moderately robust to potential sources of unmeasured confounding in sensitivity analysis. Recall of conversion practice exposure was associated with a range of mental health symptoms among sexual and gender minority people. These findings support calls to ban conversion practices because of their effects as a structural determinant of mental health. Gill Foundation, Dona Rockstand, and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Leading by Example: Identity Leadership and Mental Health in Men's Sheds Members.

The impact of leadership on members' mental health outcomes in community-based mutual-aid organizations such as Men's Shed is unknown. We analyzed (a) whether identity leadership is associated with Shed members' mental health, and (b) whether these links are mediated by psychological safety, social network quality, and social identity. Path analysis on data collected from 162 Australian Men's Shed members revealed statistically significant associations between identity leadership and each mechanism, and our model accounted for significant variance in mental health outcomes (14%-24%, ps < .001). Only social network quality and psychological safety were associated with unique variance in mental health outcomes. All indirect effects via social network quality and psychological safety were significant. These findings suggest the proposed mechanisms explain the relationship between identity leadership mental health outcomes in mutual-aid organizations such as Men's Sheds.

Peran Vital Pendidikan Anak dan Dukungan Komunitas dalam Membangun Masa Depan Desa Karanganom

Indonesia's national development, based on Pancasila, aims to create a just and prosperous society with education as a key focus. In Karanganom Village, children's education is crucial despite challenges related to infrastructure and facilities. Active community involvement, including parental roles and additional programs such as Qur'an reading guidance, significantly improves educational quality. Family education is also vital for shaping children's character through habits and improvisation. Support from the community and local organizations like IPSENA enhances children's learning enthusiasm. However, challenges such as teacher shortages and time management issues need to be addressed with creative solutions and community cooperation for optimal educational outcomes.

Health and Well-being of Family ('Ohana) Caregivers of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Adults Living with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.

We aimed to describe the health and well-being of family caregivers of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), explore cultural values related to caregiving, and characterize barriers and facilitators to their health and well-being. Caregivers of NHPIs living with ADRD were recruited from across the United States to complete a multimethod study including a survey followed by an interview about their health and well-being. Eleven participants completed surveys, six of whom completed an interview. Themes included caring as a community, lōkahi (balance), and the importance of sleep, food, and physical activity. Cultural values included connection to cultural practices, kūpuna (elders) as cultural knowledge holders, and the kuleana (responsibility) of caregiving. Caregiving for an NHPI adult living with ADRD occurs beyond the dyad, and is a matter of family and community. Culturally-based interventions offered through community and healthcare organizations may be critical to promoting caregiver health.

Technology entrepreneurship in innovation ecosystems: features of functioning and forms of support

Developing a business based on innovative ideas, technology entrepreneurship plays a leading role in achieving the goals of sustainable development of the national economy. At the initial stage of development, technological startups need resource support to transform into an innovative company. Such support can be provided by innovation ecosystems and technology entrepreneurship ecosystems. Government support for the activities of small innovative enterprises is an important factor in the development of technology entrepreneurship. The purpose of the study is to develop an organizational and functional model of technology entrepreneurship. The level of development of technology entrepreneurship at the federal level and at the level of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation was assessed using indicators of the share of small enterprises in the total number of organizations, the share of innovative products of small enterprises in the total volume of manufactured products, expenditures on innovative activities, and internal costs of research and development. The author used data from the Federal State Statistics Service. An organizational and functional model of technology entrepreneurship is proposed, the main elements of which are the business community, investors, scientific and educational organizations, innovative enterprises, innovative and technological infrastructure, support institutions. It is shown how a startup, scaling a business model, can turn into an innovation business, what forms of support can ensure this, how intercompany interaction is organized within the innovation process. It is recommended to develop forms of cooperation between the business community and universities, stimulate innovative enterprises in the regions, support technological startups, and improve forms of government support for technology entrepreneurship. For the growth and development of startups in the innovation ecosystem, mechanisms for productive interaction of all its elements and effective forms of support for technology entrepreneurship are needed.

A Study on the Key Factors for the Sustainable Development of Shared Mobility Based on TDM Theory: The Case Study from China

This study is based on an investigation of shared mobility in Chinese cities, which identifies the factors affecting the sustainable development of shared mobility based on the theoretical framework of TDM (travel demand management). Through a literature review and expert interviews, the FUZZY-DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC integration model was used to screen 21 influencing factors from aspects that fit the research theme. Triangular fuzzy numbers are used to quantify the subjective scores of nine expert groups and weaken the subjective influence of expert scores. The logical relationships among DEMATEL technology-building factors and ISM technology-based factors are divided into levels. The MICMAC technique is used to divide the types of factors according to the driving power and dependency. The results show that (1) the influence factors of the “soft strategy” and “hard strategy” in the framework of TDM are determined. In the soft strategy, we should focus on “shared mobility education” (shared mobility education, shared mobility publicity and shared mobility “environment” information) and “community organization” (community organization and advocacy and organizational interaction). In the hard strategy, we should focus on “traffic planning and measures”, “dedicated lanes”, “parking facilities”, and “financial subsidies”. (2) The ISM recursive structure model is divided into five layers. Among them, shared mobility education, shared mobility operating technology, and organizational interaction are at the deep root level, which can continuously influence other factors in the long run. (3) In MICMAC, the number of related factors is large. When making decisions on these factors, managers should comprehensively consider the correlation of factors and adjust the use of factors from an overall perspective. This study can help managers identify the key factors affecting the sustainability of shared mobility and make targeted recommendations.

Expanding community-academic collaborations to improve COVID-19 vaccination: A rural-focused COVID-19 vaccination campaign

Background: Rural populations in the USA demonstrate a high degree of vaccine hesitancy, particularly surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. Objectives: Following the successful implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination campaign with a rural-based health system in New York state, the goal of this project was to develop a large community–academic partnership with multiple rural-based community organisations to implement an additional COVID-19 vaccination campaign tailored to rural audiences. Methods: Campaign materials were created and refined with several collaborators across multiple rural-based hospitals, health centres and community organisations. Campaign effectiveness was examined through an analysis of New York state vaccination data. Lessons learned: This project shows that larger community–academic partnerships involving multiple organisations can be achieved and utilised to address complex public health issues such as vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions: Larger and longer-term community–academic partnerships can be leveraged to combat a wide range of public health issues and enable a personalised focus on specific communities.

Cross-sector collaboration to reduce health inequalities: a qualitative study of local collaboration between health care, social services, and other sectors under health system reforms in England

BackgroundPolicymakers across countries promote cross-sector collaboration as a route to improving health and health equity. In England, major health system reforms in 2022 established 42 integrated care systems (ICSs)—area-based partnerships between health care, social care, public health, and other sectors—to plan and coordinate local services. ICSs cover the whole of England and have been given explicit policy objectives to reduce health inequalities, alongside other national priorities.MethodsWe used qualitative methods to understand how local health care and social services organizations are collaborating to reduce health inequalities under England’s reforms. We conducted in-depth interviews between August and December 2022—soon after the reforms were implemented—with 32 senior leaders from NHS, social care, public health, and community-based organizations in three ICSs experiencing high levels of socioeconomic deprivation. We used a framework based on international evidence on cross-sector collaboration to help analyse the data.ResultsLeaders described strong commitment to working together to reduce health inequalities, but faced a combination of conceptual, cultural, capacity, and other challenges in doing so. A mix of factors shaped local collaboration—from how national policy aims are defined and understood, to the resources and relationships among local organizations to deliver them. These factors interact and have varying influence. The national policy context played a dominant role in shaping local collaboration experiences—frequently making it harder not easier. Organizational restructuring to establish ICSs also caused major disruption, with unintended effects on the partnership working it aimed to promote.ConclusionsThe major influences on cross-sector collaboration in England mirror key areas identified in international research, offering opportunities for learning between countries. But our data highlight the pervasive—frequently perverse—influence of national policy on local collaboration in England. National policymakers risked undermining their own reforms. Closer alignment between policy, process, and resources to reduce health inequalities is likely needed to avoid policy failure as ICSs evolve.

USING THE POTENTIAL OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES IN THE FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES OF FUTURE CULTUROLOGISTS

The article analyzes the place and role of territorial communities in the system of professional training of culturologists. It has been determined that among the qualifications of a master of cultural studies, the national standard for extensive knowledge of this specialty means the ability to professionally diagnose, predict, project and model the cultural development of different cultural regions, physical and visual culture. It is described how the preparation of such specialist, who are present in the socio-cultural field of the region, has become one of the ambushes of the educational and professional programs «Culturology» of the first (bachelor’s) and the other (master’s) who is jealous of the great knowledge of the Poltava National Pedagogical University named after V. G. Korolenko. It is characterized how this process will ensure that stakeholders from various territorial communities are recruited before the process of developing, negotiating, changing and revising new programs like these, and also in cooperation with robot sellers in localities and villages Poltava region and regional areas near the area of organization of practice, ensuring dual coverage of cultural scientists, as well as through obtaining awareness of socio-cultural projects, such as carrying out foundations and establishing culture, community organizations and local activities. It is proved that the mutual work from the preparation of a cultural scientist, who is not without a wide range of current cultural knowledge, and also to create an organization (often funerary popularization), to the last (analytical) practical), as well as enabling activities in the sphere of culture and the department of foreign affairs culturology of Poltava Pedagogical University from hours of sleep. The wide base of stakeholders, which were obtained up to this point, is associated with the sphere of practice of such a specialist, which nurtures the foundations of light, and the establishment of culture, as well as the cultural and creative industries. In 2020, the adoption of a new standard for the specialty 034 Culturology did not deprive the class of subjects that formulate the necessary skills of a cultural scientist, and this meant the norm of preparation of the specialist, which includes the creation of the organization and the promotion of communication with government authorities, scientific and research institutions, information and analytical services, methods of mass information and cultural nutrition. This led to the establishment of close collaboration with stakeholders and territorial communities to train students to work in localities and villages in the region.

"Being here, you could actually be yourself": Trans and gender expansive youth's experiences of affirmation within LGBTQ+ community-based organizations.

Across the United States, polarizing politics have contributed to the increased stigmatization of transgender (trans) and gender expansive (TGE) youth, reinforcing health inequities for this population. Although lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning (LGBTQ+) youth centers have often served as places of refuge for young people across the gender spectrum, literature has yet to show how practices and strategies used in these settings promote TGE affirmation. This qualitative study explores youth and staff experiences within these settings; identifies the services, policies, and environments needed to support TGE community members; and ultimately calls for the expansion of the limited research on TGE experience and affirmation across such spaces. Using data collected in a larger study on affirming practices for LGBTQ+ youth, this article presents findings from in-depth, semistructured focus groups and interviews with TGE (n = 12) youth and staff (n = 12) across four LGBTQ+ community-based organizations in two large urban centers. Study findings show these organizations provide TGE affirmation through language, programming, and atmospheres of openness to identity exploration. Essential to these offerings are organizational policy mandates, such as correct pronoun usage and TGE-specific programming. Youth often juxtapose their experiences of affirmation within LGBTQ+ spaces with experiences of invalidation from the cisheteronormative cultures within their school or home environments. Implications for future practice and research include administering ongoing training on TGE-affirming language and developing comprehensive accountability measures (e.g., TGE-inclusive community guidelines). Institutions with these systems in place are well-equipped to contribute to the fight for trans liberation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Analyzing Community-Based Support Requests Made by Black Families Raising Autistic Children.

Black families experience additional barriers to accessing autism-related supports compared to White families. Community organizations can help mitigate the negative impact of systemic inequities and lack of support that Black caregivers of autistic family members experience. Little is known about the types of support Black families seek from these organizations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the support needs of Black families raising autistic children as evidenced by communication patterns in a community-based statewide autism organization. Our research questions were: (1) What are the autism-related support needs of Black families raising autistic children; and (2) How do familial demographics influence these support needs? We explored the support needs of Black caregivers of autistic family members by analyzing a subset of 1,460 entries (16.8% of the total communication entries) within a database of communication entries from a community-based autism organization in one southeastern state in the United States. We analyzed the frequency of support request types and the relationships between support requests and familial demographics (i.e., rurality, gender, age). We found that Black families most often requested family or individual support, school-related support, and behavioral support. Families requested support with bullying, social services, and health insurance less often. We found significant interactions between the three most requested services and the rurality, gender, and age of the autistic family member. We conclude with suggestions for autism support organizations seeking to better meet the needs of Black families.

Experiences and Perceptions of Social Connection Among Minoritized Older Adults With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Older people with HIV (OPWH; aged ≥50 years) have unique vulnerabilities to intersecting risks for marginalization and isolation. The current qualitative study explored perceptions of social connection during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from two local community-based organizations (CBOs) in the Greater Boston area. Recruitment occurred through dissemination of flyers by staff of the CBOs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2021 and March 2022. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Of 22 participants, most were women (63.6%) and Hispanic/Latinx or African American/Black (86.4%). Participants viewed social connection as an important aspect of well-being, but acknowledged that COVID-19 induced social isolation. There were gender differences in social connection. Technology was adopted by all participants that allowed connection to others. Pre-existing relationships with support groups and CBOs facilitated improved social connection and well-being. Focused attention should be on individuals not linked to CBOs or social services and those who lack access or have barriers to technology use, as they may be at the most significant risk for isolation. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Community organization and network complexity and stability: contrasting strategies of prokaryotic versus eukaryotic microbiomes in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea.

Unraveling the effects of spatial gradients on microbiome assembly and association is a challenging topic that remains understudied in the coastal ecosystem. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of spatial variation on the network complexity and stability of plankton microbiomes in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. These seas serve as spawning and nursery grounds for economically important fisheries valued at billions of dollars annually. Environmental heterogeneity structures microbial communities into distinct spatial patterns, leading to complex direct/indirect relationships and broader ecological niches of bacterioplankton compared to microeukaryotic communities. Interestingly, salinity gradients positively influenced the richness of rare subgroups of bacterioplankton, while the rare microeukaryotic subgroups showed an opposite trend. Abundant subgroups of prokaryotic/eukaryotic microbiomes exhibited greater environmental niche breadth and lower phylogenetic distance compared to the rare subgroups. Stochastic processes contributed greatly to microbiome dynamics, and deterministic processes governed the bacterioplankton organization with a lower phylogenetic turnover rate. Compared to microeukaryotes, bacterioplankton exhibit higher network modularity, complexity, and robustness and lower fragmentation, and vulnerability. These observations offer vital insights into the anti-interference ability and resistance of plankton microbiomes in response to environmental gradients in terms of organization and survival strategy as well as their adaptability to environmental disturbances.IMPORTANCEAn in-depth understanding of community organization and stability of coastal microbiomes is crucial to determining the sustainability of marine ecosystems, such as the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. Distinct responses between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiomes to spatial heterogeneity were observed in terms of geographical distribution, phylogenetic distance, niche breadth, and community assembly process. Environmental variations are significantly correlated with the dynamics of rare eukaryotic plankton subcommunities compared to prokaryotic plankton subcommunities. Deterministic processes shaped prokaryotic plankton community organization with a lower phylogenic turnover rate. Rare subgroups had noticeably higher phylogenetic distance and lower niche breadth than the corresponding abundant subgroups. Prokaryotic microbiomes had higher molecular network complexity and stability compared to microeukaryotes. Results presented here show how environmental gradients alter both the geographical characteristics of the microbial organization in coastal seas and also their co-occurrence network complexity and stability and thus have critical implications for nutrient and energy cycling.

Enabling better carer involvement: A qualitative evaluation of the involvement service belonging to a carers organisation in the United Kingdom

Background: Globally, unpaid carers face economic and societal pressures. Unpaid carers’ support is valued at £132 billion a year in the United Kingdom (UK) alone. However, this care comes at a high cost for the carers themselves. Carers providing round the clock care are more than twice as likely to be in bad health than non-carers. These carers are therefore proportionately more likely to need statutory services such as health care provision. It is critical that carers are better supported to be involved in the shaping, delivery and evaluation of the services they receive. Unfortunately, qualitative evidence on how carer organisations can do this better is scarce. Methods: Working collaboratively with a community-based carers organization, we undertook a qualitative study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 23 participants. Online, semi-structured, one-to-one interviews were conducted with carers, community organization staff and stakeholders to ascertain their experience and views on the involvement service. Results: Firstly, there are a range of benefits resulting from the involvement service. The carers see the service as an opportunity to connect with other carers and share their views and ideas. Secondly, staff and service providers also reported how involvement gave a platform for carers and was of value in helping them shape needs-led services. Thirdly, we found that barriers to good involvement include the lack of a clearly understood, shared definition of involvement as well as the lack of a diverse pool of carer representatives available for involvement activities. Conclusion: The findings from our study provide important insights into how carers, staff and service stakeholders view barriers and enablers to good involvement. The findings will be of interest to a range of community-based organizations interested in further involving members of their community in shaping the services they receive.

Language as a Communication Tool for Maximum Participation in Municipalities: Lessons from Moqhaka Local Municipality, South Africa

This study attempts to accent the momentousness of public participation as an essential element of successful good local governance in the Republic of South Africa. Public participation is a fundamental dimension of democracy and an important factor in the deepening of democratic process. In this study, a total of 283 literate and semi-literate residents from the Moqhaka Local Municipality (comprising Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon and Steynsrus) participated in a purposive non-probability sampling exercise. Questionnaires were given to respondents following the population sizes, where Kroonstad (150 respondents) being the largest, followed by Viljoenskroon (80 respondents), and lastly, Steynsrus (53 respondents). The results showed overwhelmingly that both literate and semi-literate members of the Municipality strongly suggest that the use of African languages, in this case Sesotho is crucial for democracy to thrive. This paper intended to revitalise and encourage public participation at South African local municipalities, and to help minimise protest actions where residents constantly demand better service delivery. This has been true with the low voter turnout rate during the November 2021 local government elections. Local municipalities in South Africa are facing a huge task of advocating the involvement of communities and community organisations in local government. Language of communication is thus important in achieving this.