Community Types Research Articles

Phytosociological and Abiotic Factors Influencing the Coverage and Morphological Traits of the Invasive Alien Potentilla indica (Rosaceae) in Riparian Forests and Other Urban Habitats: A Case Study from Kraków, Southern Poland

Biological invasions are considered one of the most important threats to biodiversity worldwide, and their intensity increases with urbanization. Potentilla indica, a perennial stoloniferous plant of Asian origin, is a newly emerging invasive alien species in European cities and other areas. Due to its wide ecological range, it may threaten many native species, especially in urban riparian forests which are particularly susceptible to plant invasions. Although it shows high phenotypic plasticity, its coverage and morphological variability depending on the type of vegetation and abiotic factors in natural conditions have not been studied so far. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore this issue, using phytosociological relevés and measurements of selected environmental factors and morphological features of P. indica in Kraków, the second largest city in Poland, central Europe. We demonstrated that the coverage and morphological traits of P. indica can be significantly affected by the type of plant community, and the presence and abundance of the species in urban habitats are strongly related to soil moisture, electrical conductivity, and fertility. We also found that the coverage of P. indica is positively correlated with the Evenness index, height of herbaceous layer, soil electrical conductivity and moisture, and negatively with the number of species, soil compactness, and phosphorus content in the soil. We further revealed that the size of the leaves and the length of the pedicels and stolons in P. indica can be positively influenced by its coverage. To prevent the invasion of P. indica in riparian forests and other urban habitats, we suggest controlling its cultivation and disposal, removing new appearances, and maintaining high species diversity with a dominance of one or a few native species in plant communities.

Water source, latrine type, and rainfall are associated with detection of non-optimal and enteric bacteria in the vaginal microbiome: a prospective observational cohort study nested within a cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLess than one-third of sub-Saharan Africans have access to improved water sources. In US, Indian, and African studies, Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is increased among women with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). We examined water source, sanitation (latrine type), and rainfall in relation to the vaginal microbiome (VMB).MethodsIn a cluster randomized controlled trial of menstrual cups and cash transfer, we measured the impact of cups on VMB via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in a subset of 436 adolescent girls. We analyzed how self-reported water source and latrine type at home related to VMB over 18-months, examining community state type I (CST-I, L. crispatus dominant) vs. other CST; alpha diversity; targeted taxa (coliform and other water-related pathogens); and non-targeted taxa via machine learning approaches. Mixed effects multivariable longitudinal models were adjusted for intervention arm, age, socioeconomic status, sexual activity, and cluster-level school WASH and rainfall (in millimeters).ResultsAdjusting for all covariates in all models: (1) the odds of CST-I were increased among participants with piped water (vs. pond), and decreased with traditional pit latrine vs. flush toilet. (2) Alpha diversity varied by water source and latrine type without consistent trends. (3) Coliform bacteria relative abundance (RA) was higher among participants with traditional pit or ventilated improved pit latrines vs. flush toilet, and higher among participants relying on stream vs. pond water. Streptococcus agalactiae RA was higher among participants with non-flush toilets, while Bacteroides fragilis RA was lower with non-flush toilets. (4) Key taxa from non-targeted analyses associated with water source and latrine type included typical vaginal bacteria, opportunistic pathogens, and urinary tract pathobionts. (6) Increased rainfall was associated with decreased odds of CST-I.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03051789, February 14, 2017.

Decadal riparian forest evolution beside a regulated lake: a case study in the Swiss lowlands

AbstractThe consequences of lake level regulation on riparian forests have been little investigated in Europe, although they shelter a wide variety of habitats and species and are threatened in most European countries. This study therefore aims to improve our understanding of the past and future dynamics of wetland forests in Central Europe. Historical plant surveys (conducted around 1980) were compared with more recent surveys (2020) at the same locations in the Grande Cariçaie reserves, along the Lake Neuchâtel (Switzerland), regulated since 1962. The inventories were clustered into plant communities, and floristic diversities were compared. Changes in environmental conditions were evaluated using ecological indicator values. The species composition in tree and shrub layers was compared to predict the potential future evolution of these forests. Four types of forest communities have been identified and denoted as the Alnus glutinosa, A. incana, Fraxinus excelsior and Pinus sylvestris groups. Over the course of 40 years, some sites shifted between communities, particularly from the wet A. incana group to the drier F. excelsior group. We noticed a loss of hygrophilous and heliophilous species. Moreover, the regeneration of the dominant tree species is very low in the A. glutinosa and F. excelsior groups, and even absent in the P. sylvestris group. The riparian forests on the shores of the regulated lake are losing their characteristics, with significant changes in species composition. Over 40 years, the conditions have become drier, the canopy density has increased, and the understorey has suffered from shadier conditions, resulting in a loss of diversity at the landscape scale. The drier conditions are probably mainly following the lake regulation (lower variations of water level), but increasing evapotranspiration due to climate change cannot be excluded.

Effect of spatial differentiation of plant communities on PM2.5 and O3 in urban green spaces in Beijing, China

Urban green space can improve the air quality of urban human settlements. This study aimed to investigate the spatial differences of air quality among the different plant community structures and types of urban park green spaces. We select 17 sample sites in Beijing Olympic Forest Park, and they are located in different areas of plant community structures and types. The study entailed an analysis of the interrelationships between the plant community structures, types, and PM2.5, O3, and PM2.5–O3 compound data. The results showed that PM2.5 was lower in tree-shrub-grass, tree-shrub, and tree-grass than in shrub-grass and grass plant community areas; PM2.5 was lower in evergreen coniferous, mixed coniferous and broadleaved, and deciduous broadleaved plant communities than that in grass or shrub ones. In different plant community structures, types areas, O3 was higher than 100 μg·m–3, and there were no significant differences among the plant community areas. The air quality index with PM2.5–O3 composite pollution value as the main parameter reached the level of “moderate pollution”, and the result that deserves further attention. The research results provide a basic scientific basis for the planning, design, and updating optimization of functional urban green spaces based on evidence-based design.

Quantifying the Impacts of Precipitation, Vegetation, and Soil Properties on Soil Moisture Dynamics in Desert Steppe Herbaceous Communities Under Extreme Drought

The security of water resources in the desert steppe ecosystem faces threats due to large-scale vegetation restoration. Dynamic changes in soil moisture result from the interplay of precipitation replenishment and evapotranspiration depletion, both directly regulated by vegetation and soil. To achieve sustainable vegetation restoration, understanding the quantifiable impacts of precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil, and vegetation on spatiotemporal soil moisture dynamics is crucial. However, these effects remain insufficiently understood. In this study, against the background of an extreme drought from 2020 to 2022, four typical herbaceous plant communities—Agropyron mongolicum, Sophora alopecuroides, Stipa breviflora, and Achnatherum splendens—were selected for investigation in Yanchi County, Ningxia Province, Northwest China. We analyzed dynamic changes in soil moisture at 0–120 cm during depletion, recovery, and stability periods, quantifying the relative contributions of precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil clay/sand ratio (C/S), and biomass to soil moisture dynamics. The results showed that the 0–120 cm soil moisture of the four plant communities in the depletion, recovery, and stability periods decreased from 7.38% to 6.81%, 11.22% to 8.08%, and 11.70% to 5.84%, respectively. In terms of relative importance, precipitation and evapotranspiration accounted for 25% to 50% and 23.6% to 39.6% of the total explanation for the soil moisture in each plant community, respectively. C/S primarily influenced soil moisture in the S. alopecuroides community, demonstrating a significant positive correlation with soil moisture and accounting for 49.1% of the total explanation. Biomass mainly affected soil moisture in the A. mongolicum, S. breviflora, and A. splendens communities and had a significant negative correlation with soil moisture, accounting for 5.7%, 13.1%, and 9.8% of the total interpretation, respectively. The continuous extreme drought caused the soil moisture deficit to extend from the shallow to the deep layers. The effects of C/S and biomass on soil moisture occurred in leguminous and gramineous communities, respectively.

The Soil and Water Conservation Effects of Different Plant Communities and Biological Soil Crust Symbiosis Patterns in the Ecologically Fragile Area of Central Ningxia

Biological soil crusts are complex biological soil layers formed by mosses, lichens, cyanobacteria, and the underlying soil, which together with plants affect rainfall infiltration, surface runoff, soil evaporation, and water movement in the soil. The soil desertification and soil erosion in the ecologically fragile areas of central Ningxia are serious problems, and the ecological environment is extremely fragile. Effective ecological restoration technologies are urgently needed. This study took the grassland in the ecologically fragile area of central Ningxia as the object and investigated the impact of three plant communities and symbiotic patterns of biological soil crusts on soil erosion through field simulated rainfall experiments. The results showed that: (1) At a rainfall intensity of 90 mm h−1, the initial runoff time of each slope was significantly positively correlated with plant community type and biological soil crust coverage, and prolonged with the increase of plant community type and biological soil crust coverage. (2) With the extension of rainfall duration, the cumulative runoff on each slope exhibited an increasing trend. (3) The sediment concentration in runoff on slopes under different plant community and biological soil crust symbiotic patterns was significantly different, with the sediment concentration decreasing as the type of plant community and the coverage of biological soil crusts increased. (4) With the increase in the diversity of plant communities and the coverage of biological crusts, there was a gradual reduction in the volume of accumulated sediment. This study offers scientific management strategies and practical guidance for soil and water conservation efforts in the ecologically vulnerable areas of central Ningxia, highlighting the importance of promoting these symbiotic models within the region.

Ecological Functions of Autumn Olives for Improving Vegetation Species Diversity and Habitat Conditions Supporting Their Growth: A Study of Tedorigawa River, Japan

ABSTRACTThus far, no studies have quantitatively investigated the ecological functions of wood communities for increasing vegetation species diversity and promoting supportive habitat conditions for their growth. To fill this gap, this study investigates the ecological function of the autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata var. umbellata) community, a typical native wood community of Japan. We selected the Tedorigawa River, a representative rapid river of Japan, as a case‐study subject and conducted field surveys to investigate the relationships between the autumn olive, black locust, and oriental wormwood‐kawarahako communities (among six total vegetation communities) and their respective species compositions. Hydraulic simulations helped investigate significant differences in the cover ratio of native species that grow in rivers and alien species and, differences in the physical and environmental characteristics among the three typical vegetation communities in the river channel (native grass community, native wood community, and alien wood community). The results showed that autumn olives support the growth of native species that prefer wet conditions and control alien species' growth. This ecological function is supported by the characteristic hierarchical structure of autumn olives, including low‐density trunks and leaves and low height, which create bright light conditions in the community. The autumn olive community was also found to obstruct flood flow, which enhances the deposition of fine sediments and nutrients. These characteristics enhance wet conditions to support the growth of native species that prefer these conditions.

Bile acids in the lower airways is associated with airway microbiota changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an observational study

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disorder with a high degree of interindividual variability. Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in patients with COPD and has been proposed to influence...

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in livestock farmers, livestock, and livestock products in southern Sri Lanka: A one health approach

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization can lead to subsequent severe infections. Unlike community and hospital-associated types, Livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) transmits to humans through direct contact with livestock and contaminated livestock products. This study aimed to investigate MRSA prevalence and molecular epidemiology in livestock farmers, livestock, and livestock products, including LA-MRSA presence and MRSA abundance in human and animal nasal microbiome, in southern Sri Lanka using a One Health approach.Nasal swabs from farmers and livestock on 50 farms (Nov 2020 - Dec 2021) and livestock products were collected. MRSA was isolated and confirmed using standard microbiological techniques. Staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec typing, spa typing, and multilocus sequence typing were performed. Identified clones were compared with hospital isolates. Metagenomics analysis was performed on selected samples.MRSA prevalence was 24.0 % (12/50) in farms, 7.9 % (12/152) in farmers, 2.1 % (5/240) in livestock, and 1.9 % (3/157) in products. Of 372 S. aureus collected from clinical cultures, 59.4 % were MRSA. MRSA clones were identified in farm personnel (CC5/ST5/t002, CC1/ST1/t127, and ST45/CC45/t026), livestock (CC5/ST5/t002), and clinical cultures (CC5/ST5/t002 and CC5/ST6/t304), with ST45/CC45/t026 and CC5/ST6/t304 reported for the first time in Sri Lanka. LA-MRSA clones (ST389/ST9) were not detected. Animals had more diverse nasal microbiomes and lower MRSA abundance (<1.4 %) compared to humans (>82.3 %).MRSA colonization prevalence in southern Sri Lanka was relatively low. Two new clones and no LA-MRSA clones were identified. This study highlights the importance of continuing MRSA surveillance under the One Health framework to identify MRSA transmission between humans, animals, and the environment.

Associations between weather and Plasmodium vivax malaria in an elimination setting in Peru: a distributed lag analysis.

Plasmodium vivax ( Pv ) is the predominant malaria species in countries approaching elimination. In the context of climate change, understanding environmental drivers of transmission can guide interventions, yet evidence is limited, particularly in Latin America. We estimated the association between temperature and precipitation and Pv malaria incidence in a malaria elimination setting in Peru. We analyzed malaria incidence data from 2021-2023 from 30 communities in Loreto, Peru with hourly weather data from the ERA5 dataset and land cover data from MapBiomas. Predictors included average weekly minimum and maximum temperature, high heat (>90th percentile mean temperature), total weekly precipitation, and heavy rain (>90th percentile total precipitation). We fit non-linear distributed lag models for continuous weather predictors and generalized additive models for binary predictors and the lookback period was 2-16 weeks. Temperature models adjusted for total precipitation; precipitation models adjusted for maximum temperature. We performed subgroup analyses by season, community type, and distance to forest edge. The median vs. lowest values of weekly average minimum temperature was associated with 2.16 to 3.93-fold higher incidence 3-16 weeks later (5-week lag incidence ratio (IR) =3.93 [95% CI 2.18, 7.09]); for maximum temperature, the association was hump-shaped across lags, with protective associations at 1-2 and 15-16 week lags and 1.07-1.66-fold higher incidence at 6-13 week lags. High heat (>27.5°C) was associated with 1.23 to 1.37-fold higher incidence at 5--9 week lags (9-week lag IR = 1.25 [1.02, 1.53]). Associations between total precipitation and malaria incidence were hump-shaped across lags, with the strongest positive association at 750 mm of precipitation at a 9-week lag (IR=1.56; [1.27, 1.65]). Heavy rain (>186mm) was associated with 1.22-1.60-fold higher incidence at 2-10 week lags (9-week lag IR=1.23 [1.02, 1.49]). Higher temperatures and precipitation were generally associated with higher malaria incidence over 1-4 months.

Microbiome and Ulcerative Colitis; An Insight into the Interaction between Bacteria and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Review Article

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis, also known as intestinal colitis, is a relatively common and chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the large intestine. This disorder falls under the category of inflammatory bowel diseases and shares notable similarities with Crohn's disease The large intestine is responsible for extracting nutrients from undigested food while expelling waste through the rectum or anus in the form of feces Humans are almost identical in their genetic sequence, but small differences in our DNA lead to tremendous phenotypic diversity among the human population. The various types of microbial communities and their genetic material (the microbiome) present in the human body play a crucial role in health and disease. Numerous studies have established a link between ulcerative colitis and the human microbiome. Conclusion: Changes in the microbiome's diversity can be one of the reasons for the development of ulcerative colitis. Investigating the relationship between the microbiome and ulcerative colitis can suggest new treatment methods such as stool transplantation.

Woody species composition, structure and regeneration status of Alka forest Beyeda District, North Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Northern Ethiopia

BackgroundEthiopia's varied geography, from the Simien Mountains to the Great Rift Valley, creates unique microclimates that support an incredible range of plant species. However, forests are declining due to the expansion of farmlands, settlements and overgrazing. Therefore, there is a need for extensive assessments to inventory woody species composition, structure and regeneration status of the Alka forest.MethodsA reconnaissance survey was carried out in February 2021 to obtain a general understanding of the research area and vegetation. The vegetation sampling was carried out via a systematic sampling technique. A total of 40 main plots, each measuring 20 m × 20 m and spaced 100 m apart, were placed along the marked transects at 50 m intervals to collect vegetation data. Five 2 m × 2 m subplots were laid out to collect vegetation data on the seedlings and saplings. Trees and shrubs with a DBH greater than 2.5 cm at breast height or 1.3 m above ground were measured via diameter tape in each plot, and their heights were recorded. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed by using R statistical software version 3.4.0 to sort vegetation into vegetation community types.ResultsA total of 48 woody species within 37 families were identified. Among the total number of species, four were found to be endemic to Ethiopia. Fabaceae was the dominant family, followed by Asteraceae. Four types of plant communities were investigated in the Alka forest. Moreover, the densities of woody plant species for mature individuals, saplings and seedlings were 2556.875, 1633.125 and 1641.25 stem/ ha-1 respectively.This implies that the forest is categorized under fair regeneration status. Juniperus procera had the highest IVI value (24.24), followed by Hagenia abyssinica (12.073).ConclusionThe findings showed that the forest contain considerable numbers of woody plant composition in addition to endemic plant life. Families represented by only one species will be extinct from this forest if thorough conservation measures are not implemented. Through the government's "green legacy initiative," people will be encouraged to plant native tree species to lessen the number of natural forests in in situ conservation methods, and further investigations are needed to evaluate the soil seed bank in the Alka forest.

Treatments and Patient Outcomes Following Stroke Center Expansion

It is unclear how certified stroke center expansion contributes to improved access to stroke treatment and patient outcomes, and whether these outcomes differ by baseline stroke center access. To examine changes in rates of admission to stroke centers, receipt of thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, and mortality when a community gains a newly certified stroke center within a 30-minute drive. This cohort study compared changes in patient outcomes when a community (defined by area zip code) experienced a stroke center expansion relative to the same community type that did not experience a change in access. Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with a primary diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to hospitals between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019, were included. The data analysis was performed between October 1, 2023, and September 9, 2024. New certification of a stroke center within a 30-minute driving time of a community. The main outcomes were rates of admission to a certified stroke center, receipt of thrombolytics (delivered using drip-and-ship and drip-and-stay methods), mechanical thrombectomy, and 30-day and 1-year mortality estimated using a linear probability model with community fixed effects. Among the 2 853 508 patients studied (mean [SD] age, 79.5 [8.5] years; 56% female), 66% lived in communities that had a stroke center nearby at baseline in 2009, and 34% lived in communities with no baseline access. For patients without baseline access, after stroke center expansion, the likelihood of admission to a stroke center increased by 38.98 percentage points (95% CI, 37.74-40.21 percentage points), and receipt of thrombolytics increased by 0.48 percentage points (95% CI, 0.24-0.73 percentage points). Thirty-day and 1-year mortality decreased by 0.28 percentage points (95% CI, -0.56 to -0.01) and 0.50 percentage points (95% CI, -0.84 to -0.15 percentage points), respectively, after expansion. For patients in communities with baseline stroke center access, expansion was associated with an increase of 9.37 percentage points (95% CI, 8.63-10.10 percentage points) in admission to a stroke center but no significant changes in other outcomes. In this cohort study, patients living in communities without baseline stroke center access experienced significant increases in stroke center admission and thrombolysis and a significant decrease in mortality after a stroke center expansion. Improvements were smaller in communities with preexisting stroke center access. These findings suggest that newly certified stroke centers may provide greater benefits to underserved areas and are an important consideration when deciding when and where to expand health care services.

An investigation into the shifting landscape preferences of rural residents in Taiwan and their relationship with ecological indicators

Rapid urbanization has significantly altered landscape environments in both urban and rural regions, and these landscapes have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in human well-being. This study develops a coherent framework that integrates landscape change, landscape ecological indicators, and landscape preferences within the context of the evolving landscape environments of rural communities in Taiwan. Four distinct types of rural communities were selected, and a quantitative methodology was employed to investigate the variations and transformations in landscape preferences among rural residents in the context of landscape change. A qualitative methodology was employed to investigate the relationship between landscape ecological indicators and landscape preferences. The study’s findings indicate significant temporal variations in residents’ landscape preferences, with landscape beauty, stewardship, and coherence emerging as key determinants in the evaluation of these preferences. Landscape ecological indicators were found to be significantly correlated with variables such as landscape complexity, landscape beauty, openness, naturalness, and comprehensive landscape assessment. The findings of this study indicate that design planners, land managers, and public sector organizations can employ multidimensional thinking in the management of rural landscapes to align with the visual aesthetic preferences of rural residents.

The Reliability and Validity of the ARIS Broader Impacts Rubric

More than 27 years have passed since the National Science Board identified Broader Impacts as one of two merit criteria for National Science Foundation proposals. Yet many researchers remain less certain of how to develop, implement, and assess a broader impact plan. This multi-method study of a Broader Impacts (BI) rubric analyzed expert panels that included BI professionals and researchers for both content validity and reliability. Focus groups with researchers explicate the challenges researchers face regarding BI plans and the potential value of the rubric as a tool for use. It revealed the challenges researchers have in weighing proven strategies versus innovative strategies, a bias documented by other scholars. Researchers stated concern with how to weigh the different facets of the rubric to arrive at a single score. Moreover, researchers reported that their disciplinary field influenced how they interpreted the audiences whose needs and interests may be met through BI plans. These distinctions represent a range of different types of community engaged scholarship (e.g., public information network, community-campus partnership, K-12 schools’ partnerships). Finally, researchers found the BI rubric useful in evaluating and developing their own BI plans as well as their role in panels to ultimately strengthen the field of funded BI work.

Integrated Framework for Enhancing Liveability and Ecological Sustainability in UAE Communities

Urban growth is vast in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to economic development, and there is a need to consider liveability and sustainable ecosystems for future urban expansion. Promising strategies for sustainability focus on minimizing a building’s effects on the environment and improving residents’ quality of life, which is important in the desert and when confronting the issues of water and climate change. Sustainable practices that impact the livelihood of people in the UAE include factors such as walkable areas, open space, policing, healthcare, education, housing, and ensuring friendly transport that enhance the overall quality of life of residents in the region. Recognizing and appreciating the UAE’s cultural values is crucial when incorporating these aspects, allowing references to the nation’s character when creating communal areas. The primary research included quantitative surveys of three identified communities, composed of fifty participants each, where the findings indicate partial to full compliance, with 85.7% of the liveability indices being about public transport and green space. Through this analysis, liveability and sustainability principles need to be trialed and incorporated into future urban development to embrace the ecology as well as the inhabitants. To realize these targets, the proposed study adopted a four-part approach. Initially, an analysis of related studies concerning the UAE or the Gulf area was carried out to obtain important liveability and quality-of-life factors. A total of 6 dimensions and 51 indicators were extracted from the literature to inform the next stage. Subsequently, the authors identified and evaluated the design of three chosen communities in various cities in the UAE concerning liveability and sustainability indices. Consequently, a conceptual redesign of a typical community was made, illustrating the improved quality of life and sustainability. Lastly, a survey with respective facets from an urban planning architect and environmental scientist cum environmental economist was conducted to evaluate the practicality of the proposed design. This research gives a comprehensive picture of how liveability and sustainable ecosystem concepts need to be implemented in the UAE urban context and offers a direction to develop lively, context-specific, culturally attached, and sustainable urban environments for the present day and for the future.

SME DEVELOPMENT AND ART COMMUNITY FOR DEVELOPING JELEKONG CULTURAL TOURISM AREA

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the results of the collaboration between the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs and the Alliance of Indonesia Entrepreneurship Study Programs to collaborate to develop a roadmap for national entrepreneurship development. As a case study, the Binus Bandung Entrepreneurship Study Program collaborates with SMEs and the Jelekong Art Community of Bandung Regency. Jelekong Tourism Village which is the center of worldwide painting art. The method used in analyzing this collaboration uses the Case Study method through interviews with the Jelekong art and culture community. In conclusion, they need help from educational institutions, namely lecturers and students who have competence in the field of digital marketing, to develop the marketing of their paintings through social media and other electronic media, so that the exhibition activity plan is a solution to increase marketing and tourism branding of Jelekong Art Village is first identifying the type of UKM and community to be guided at the time of the exhibition, then each UKM and Community will be fostered by lecturers according to their competence and will involve Binus Bandung and other Binus lecturers as well as Satu University Bandung who are interested in this activity.

Formation of single-dominant-species patches of Dicranopteris dichotoma primarily influenced by understory light intensity.

The Dicranopteris dichotoma fern community plays vital roles in nutrient sequestration, succession regulation, and ecological threshold control. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation of the D. dichotoma-dominant community remain unclear. This study established four different community types to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the formation of a D. dichotoma-dominant community. We found that climate was the primary factor affecting the formation of patches dominated by D. dichotoma at the regional scale. Specifically, higher annual mean temperature and annual mean precipitation were associated with larger single-dominant-species patches of D. dichotoma. Understory light intensity was the major factor affecting the formation of the D. dichotoma community at the community scale. Light intensity ranging from 200 to 500 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ was most conducive to the development of a large D. dichotoma community. Additionally, understory light intensity enhanced the importance value of D. dichotoma in the herb community by decreasing its biomass proportion of support modules and increasing its biomass proportion of photosynthetic and reproductive modules. Soil properties and D. dichotoma characteristics showed interactions with each other. Acidic red-yellow soil was most suitable for the formation of single-dominant-species patches of D. dichotoma, and the growth of D. dichotoma further decreased the soil pH. Soil total phosphorus content was identified as a limiting factor for formation of the D. dichotoma community. In summary, the formation of single-dominant-species patches of D. dichotoma is mainly influenced by a combination of climate, community, and soil.

How knowledge, awareness and perceptions of pesticide residue risks in fruits and vegetables, influence purchase decisions across Malaysian communities

Understanding consumer perceptions and behaviours toward pesticide residues in food is vital for food safety and public health. This study examines the knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of 303 participants from rural, suburban, and urban Malaysian communities regarding pesticide residue risks in their food purchases, particularly fruits and vegetables. Participants completed adapted questionnaires via Google Forms or in-person interviews, covering sociodemographic information, food purchasing habits, and levels of knowledge, awareness, and perception of pesticide residues. Results indicate that urban communities have the highest knowledge about pesticide residues, followed by rural and suburban areas. Awareness levels are even across all community types, with rural areas slightly higher. Urban participants also show the highest perception levels, followed by rural and suburban communities. Rural communities demonstrate a strong positive correlation between knowledge and perception, while suburban areas show a moderately positive correlation. Urban communities exhibit significant correlations between knowledge awareness and perception, with a weaker relationship with awareness. These findings highlight the interplay between community settings and consumer behaviour in purchasing fruits and vegetables. The study emphasises the need for tailored educational and policy interventions to address the varying levels of knowledge and concerns about pesticide residues across different Malaysian communities.

Soil Bacteria in Archaeology: What Could Rank Abundance Functions Tell Us About Ancient Human Impacts on Microbial Communities?

Metagenomic analysis of soil bacterial communities based on 16S rRNA reflects a typical community composition containing a low number of high-abundance types and a very high number of low-abundance types. Here, the formation of characteristic rank order functions of bacterial abundance is investigated by modelling the dynamics of soil bacterial communities, assuming a succession of different bacterial populations that grow rapidly and decay more slowly. We found that the characteristic shape of typical rank order functions is well reflected by simulations. In addition, our model allowed us to investigate strong disturbances in the soil, which could be expected in cases of strongly changing local environmental conditions in soil, e.g., after translocation and covering of soil material. Such events could lead to the formation of shoulders in the rank order functions. Abundance rank orders observed in cases of some archaeological soil samples do indeed show such a shoulder and could be well interpreted by simulated rank order functions. As a result, it can be concluded that the investigations herein support our hypothesis that abundance rank orders contain information about the temporal order of developing bacterial types in changing communities and thus store information about local environmental conditions in the past, including ancient humans' impact on soil. This information can be used for interpretation of archeological findings and for reconstruction of different former human activities, as well as knowledge on the translocation of soil material in the past.