Distinct Contributions Research Articles

Church partnerships: A holistic approach to addressing social issues in South Africa

For South African communities to achieve substantive progress, the establishment of strategic partnerships is essential for effectively addressing their complex social challenges. Churches, given their profound community presence and moral authority, are urged to join forces with other societal sectors, particularly government and business, to promote comprehensive community development. This article examines the potential for church partnerships with these sectors, investigating how such alliances can foster sustainable and holistic transformation. Central questions driving this inquiry include: What distinct contributions do churches bring to community development partnerships? and how can these partnerships efficiently combine their resources to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues? By assessing the role of the church alongside governmental frameworks and business resources, this study underscores the importance of an integrated approach to development. The church’s involvement not only provides essential support to vulnerable groups but also contributes strategically to the long-term empowerment of communities. This article ultimately underscores the need for combined engagement, demonstrating how a unified approach can amplify the collective impact on social well-being and resilience within South Africa. By highlighting the theological and organisational identities of churches, alongside the distinct capital and power each entity holds, the article seeks to identify common grounds for cooperation, with a particular focus on the church’s capacity to exert positive, morally guided influence within these partnerships.Contribution: The article highlights the significance of a holistic approach that utilises the strengths of churches, businesses and the government to boost social development in South Africa, thereby contributing to community development pathways.

Relating visual and pictorial space: Integration of binocular disparity and motion parallax.

Traditionally, perceptual spaces are defined by the medium through which the visual environment is conveyed (e.g., in a physical environment, through a picture, or on a screen). This approach overlooks the distinct contributions of different types of visual information, such as binocular disparity and motion parallax, that transform different visual environments to yield different perceptual spaces. The current study proposes a new approach to describe different perceptual spaces based on different visual information. A geometrical model was developed to delineate the transformations imposed by binocular disparity and motion parallax, including (a) a relief depth scaling along the observer's line of sight and (b) pictorial distortions that rotate the entire perceptual space, as well as the invariant properties after these transformations, including distance, three-dimensional shape, and allocentric direction. The model was fitted to the behavioral results from two experiments, wherein the participants rotated a human figure to point at different targets in virtual reality. The pointer was displayed on a virtual frame that could differentially manipulate the availability of binocular disparity and motion parallax. The model fitted the behavioral results well, and model comparisons validated the relief scaling in the form of depth expansion and the pictorial distortions in the form of an isotropic rotation. Fitted parameters showed that binocular disparity renders distance invariant but also introduces relief depth expansion to three-dimensional objects, whereas motion parallax keeps allocentric direction invariant. We discuss the implications of the mediating effects of binocular disparity and motion parallax when connecting different perceptual spaces.

The victims of the last great Bubonic plague epidemic in Ottoman Anatolia: dynamics of mortality by age and gender during the plague epidemic of Kastamonu (1836–1839)

ABSTRACT This study examines the bubonic plague epidemic that struck Kastamonu, a province in Northern Anatolia, between 1836 and 1839, offering a distinctive and thorough contribution to historical research on the plague within the framework of Ottoman studies. By employing rare daily death records, known as jurnal defteri, this research undertakes a quantitative analysis of mortality patterns during the epidemic—an approach rarely applied in Ottoman historical studies. The study investigates demographic details, analyzing the victims’ age and gender to uncover significant patterns, such as the particularly severe impact on younger age groups. Additionally, it compares mortality rates during the epidemic to those from non-plague-related deaths, providing a broader perspective on mortality dynamics and the overall demographic toll. This research bridges a critical gap in Ottoman plague studies by integrating statistical methodologies with demographic analysis. This approach helps to understand how such epidemics affected populations at a granular level. By focusing on an understudied region and time period, this study contributes novel insights into the social and demographic results of the plague in the Ottoman Empire. The findings underscore the epidemic’s profound impact on local communities, contributing to broader discussions on public health and mortality in historical contexts of Ottoman Empire..

The Impact of IT Equivocality on Postadoptive Use Behaviors: Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Construct

ABSTRACT In his early work, Karl Weick referred to information technology (IT) as “equivoques” to underline the conflicting interpretations that often arise among users, groups, and organizations interacting with IT. As modern IT systems support a growing variety of uses and applications, this phenomenon intensifies, with important implications for attitude formation and use behaviors. Based on individual sensemaking theory, we define perceived IT equivocality as a user’s difficulty in making sense of an IT and theorize that this psychological phenomenon manifests through perceptions of incompleteness, fragmentation, and uncertainty. Three empirical studies (n = 419, n = 411, n = 345) were conducted to validate this multidimensional construct and examine its relevance in postadoptive use settings. The results indicate that perceived IT equivocality is negatively associated with routine and innovative use and positively associated with behavioral anxiety, confirming its theorized influence on usage patterns. In closing, we discuss the importance of the IT equivocality construct to both theory and practice, along with the limitations of our work. Our distinctive contributions include 1) conceptualizing an IS-specific psychological phenomenon, 2) developing and validating a multidimensional scale, and 3) demonstrating the behavioral potency of the construct.

Wonder, Wandering, Mystery: Ricoeur on Sexuality and Eroticism – With a Brief Comparison to Marion and Levinas

In this paper, we aim to introduce and analyze a lesser-known text by Paul Ricoeur, “La merveille, l’errance, l’enigme”, which was originally written as an introduction to the November 1960 issue of the journal Esprit, dedicated to the theme of sexuality. Along the two paths of sexuality—tenderness and eroticism—what becomes evident is that sexuality, fundamentally, proves impenetrable to reflection and remains inaccessible to human dominance. After presenting Ricoeur’s reflections on sexuality and eroticism, this paper will also briefly compare his views with those of Jean-Luc Marion and Emmanuel Levinas, highlighting the distinctive contributions of these philosophers in relation to the themes of love, eroticism, and the self-other dynamic.

Interplay between classical and quantum dissipation in light-matter dynamics.

A quantum-electrodynamics approach is presented to describe the dynamics of electrons that exchange energy with both photon and phonon baths. Our ansatz is a dissipative quantum Liouville equation, cast in the Redfield form, with two driving terms associated with radiative and vibrational relaxation mechanisms, respectively. Remarkably, within the radiative contribution, there is a term that exactly replicates the expression derived from a semiclassical treatment where the power dissipated by the electronic density is treated as the emission from a classical dipole [Bustamante et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 087401 (2021)]. Analysis of the distinct contributions to the total radiation shows that the semiclassical emission depends on the coherences, with the remainder of the quantum-electrodynamics driving term determined by the excited populations, thus accounting for the relaxation of eigenstates or incoherent mixed states. This approach is used to investigate the response of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model for trans-polyacetylene to both pulsed and continuous laser irradiation. Upon excitation with a short pulse and in the absence of the vibrational mechanism, the conducting band population exhibits a stepwise relaxation, characterized by cycles of exponential decay followed by a transient subradiant state. The latter arises from the collective coupling between Bloch states featuring a quasi-continuum energy spectrum in reciprocal space. The separate examination of the semiclassical dynamics reveals that it is this contribution that is responsible for the collective behavior. If vibrational dissipation is active, following the laser pulse, the excited electrons rapidly populate the minimum of the conduction band, and the emission spectrum shifts to lower frequencies with respect to absorption. Meanwhile, continuous irradiation drives the system to a stationary state with a broad emission spectrum.

Enhancing research insights: the impact of phenomenographic analysis in educational studies

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to articulate the pivotal function of phenomenographic analysis in advancing the depth and breadth of insights into doctoral research in educational studies. By examining the distinctive contributions and advantages afforded by phenomenographic analysis, the paper aims to highlight its profound capability to reveal the intricacies and variegated dimensions of human experiences and perceptions. It advocates for the integration of phenomenographic analysis into social science research methodologies to foster a deeper, more nuanced appreciation of its utility and impact.Design/methodology/approachThis article leverages empirical evidence from a specific educational research project to provide an in-depth examination of phenomenographic analysis. It meticulously outlines the procedural application of this methodological approach, showcasing how it enriches research outcomes by offering a profound exploration of the complex layers and subtle variations present within social phenomena. The study employs phenomenographic analysis to amplify the nuanced understanding and inherent value of research findings in educational studies.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that phenomenographic analysis significantly enriches research outcomes by offering a comprehensive exploration of complex social phenomena. The method’s capability to uncover the intricacies and variegated dimensions of human experiences and perceptions enhances the quality and relevance of research conducted within the domain. By providing empirical evidence and detailed procedural application, the paper illustrates how phenomenographic analysis contributes to the enrichment of academic discourse and elevates the caliber of research in the social sciences.Originality/valueThis article offers invaluable perspectives to both researchers and practitioners by providing a comprehensive analysis of phenomenographic methodology. It underscores the indispensable contribution of phenomenographic analysis in fostering a deeper understanding of educational research findings. The work advocates for its integration into social science research methodologies, highlighting its unique value in enhancing the quality and relevance of research. By illuminating the method’s profound capability to reveal complex human experiences, the paper significantly contributes to the enrichment of academic discourse in the social sciences.

Beyond the Resource Curse: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Green Development Welfare

This study examines the relationship between the resource curse (RC) and green development welfare (GDW) through the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on emerging technologies. We explore the critical question: How does resource abundance hinder green development, and how can AI mitigate this effect? Our examination of 15 years of panel data from 282 Chinese cities demonstrates a significant negative correlation: a 1% increase in RC correlates with a 0.422% reduction in GDW. AI appears as a crucial factor capable of counteracting the detrimental impact of RC, indicating that technological innovation is essential for promoting sustainable development. This study's distinctive contribution is the incorporation of AI into the GDW framework, providing novel insights into the varying impacts of RC across different levels of GDW. By differentiating resource abundance (RA) from resource dependence (RG), we illustrate that both RA and RG substantially impede GDW, with the negative effects amplifying at higher GDW levels. We discover that AI can overcome the limitations imposed by RC by reducing terms-of-trade fluctuations, mitigating Dutch disease effects, and diminishing crowding-out effects. Our research underscores the importance of AI in alleviating the adverse impacts of RC on GDW and recommends augmenting investment in AI research and application, especially in resource-rich cities, to advance sustainable development.

Identification of the number of leaks in water supply pipes based on wavelet scattering network and Bi-LSTM model with Bayesian optimization

Water supply pipeline leaks have significant impacts on urban areas and daily life. Acoustic techniques are widely applied in its leak detection, but there is a lack of research on quantifying multiple leaks in pipelines. This study presents a novel approach using a Wavelet Scattering Network (WSN) and Bi-directional Long and Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) model with Bayesian optimization to identify leak quantities accurately. The WSN autonomously extracts signal features, which are subsequently processed by the Bi-LSTM for classification. Through Bayesian optimization, the model’s hyperparameters are refined to enhance performance. The results exhibit an impressive 90.8 % classification accuracy, showcasing the model’s effectiveness in accurately identifying leak quantities. In comparison with existing models, the proposed method stands out for its superior recognition accuracy, shorter training time, and enhanced noise immunity. Ablation experiments further confirm the distinct roles and contributions of the WSN, Bayesian optimization, and Bi-LSTM components in achieving these exceptional results.

Distinct contributions of BDNF/MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway components to whisker-dependent tactile learning and memory.

Whisker-mediated tactile perception is essential for rodent navigation, food acquisition, and social interactions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tactile information processing, learning, and memory have not been studied to the same extent as for other modalities. Using immunohistochemical staining, we investigated changes in regional c-Fos expression as an index of neuronal activity and phosphorylated (p)ERK1/2 as an index of ERK1/2 activity in mice trained on a tactile-cued 8-arm radial maze task. Over 12 trials, mice learned to selectively explore four baited arms covered with wire as the tactile cue while avoiding un-baited uncovered arms. The density of c-Fos+ cells was significantly higher in somatosensory cortex but not frontal cortex or amygdala of mice exposed to tactile cue - bait pairing compared to mice exposed to the same maze with all arms baited with or without tactile cues (unpaired conditions). The density of pERK1/2+ cells was also increased after paired trials 7 and 12 but not after paired trials 1 and 3 in frontal cortex, amygdala, and somatosensory cortex compared to mice exposed to the unpaired condition. The MEK1/2 inhibitor SL327 reduced c-Fos expression in frontal cortex and amygdala when applied during early trials, but impaired working memory when applied before later trials without affecting c-Fos expression. Heterozygous BDNF knockout mice exhibited impaired task learning and reduced pERK1/2 expression in frontal cortex and amygdala but not somatosensory cortex. These findings suggest that the BDNF/MEK/ERK1/2 pathway selectively promotes memory trace formation in frontal cortex and amygdala but not encoding in somatosensory cortex.

Women Entrepreneurs in Botswana: Reducing Poverty and Creating Employment

Research Aims: The objective of this study is to examine the influence of women entrepreneurship on the generation of employment opportunities and the alleviation of poverty in Botswana. The study seeks to provide a thorough comprehension of how businesses headed by women contribute to economic transformation. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a mixed-method approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was obtained by conducting surveys and interviews with women entrepreneurs in Botswana, supplemented by secondary data from official and non-governmental reports. The quantitative data were analysed using the statistical software SPSS to obtain comprehensive results. Research Findings: Women-owned businesses in Botswana make a substantial impact on job creation. Many of these businesses employ a workforce ranging from 5 to 20 workers, while some larger organisations provide employment to over 50 people. These businesses play a crucial role in reducing poverty by actively participating in community development projects, such as constructing schools and clinics. As a result, they directly enhance the welfare of local communities. The qualitative findings highlight the diverse and complex contributions of women entrepreneurs in promoting community development and reducing poverty. These findings emphasise their commitment to social accountability, economic sustainability, and resilience in the face of challenges. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study offers novel perspectives on the distinct contributions made by women entrepreneurs in Botswana, emphasising their dual impact on both economic progress and societal transformation. The study also highlights the primary challenges encountered by women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs), such as restricted financial resources, socio-cultural hindrances, and insufficient governmental assistance. It emphasises the significance of overcoming these issues in order to maximise the positive influence of women-owned SMEs on employment generation and alleviation of poverty

Book critique: A comparative analysis of social science and public health in three key works

This critique offers a comparative analysis of three seminal works that explore the intersection of social science and public health: “The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better” by Wilkinson and Pickett, “The Health Gap: The Challenge of an Unequal World” by Marmot, and “Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts” edited by Marmot and Wilkinson. Each book examines how social inequalities, particularly income disparity, education, and employment, shape health outcomes, advocating for systemic changes to address these disparities. The critique emphasizes their shared focus on the social determinants of health, but highlights distinct contributions: The first book focuses on income inequality, the second explores global health disparities, and the third offers a multidisciplinary perspective on the broader social factors influencing health. These works collectively form an interdisciplinary framework that links social science to public health, advocating for policies that address the root causes of health inequities.

Systematic characterization of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase members revealed classification and function divergence in Haplomitrium mnioides.

Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD; EC 1.1.1.195) is considered to be a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis, which can catalyze cinnamyl aldehyde to produce cinnamyl alcohol. In this study, three putative CADs were characterized from the liverwort Haplomitrium mnioides. The sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that HmCADs belonged to a multigene family, with three HmCADs belonging to class II, class III, and class IV, respectively. In vitro enzymatic studies demonstrated that HmCAD2 exhibited high affinity and catalytic activity towards five cinnamyl aldehydes, followed by HmCAD3 with poor catalytic activity, and HmCAD1 catalyzed only the reaction of p-coumaryl aldehyde and coniferyl aldehyde with extremely low catalytic capacity. Protein-substrate binding simulations were performed to investigate the differences in catalytic activity exhibited when proteins catalyzed different substrates. Furthermore, distinct expression patterns of three HmCADs were identified in different plant tissues. Subcellular localization tests confirmed that HmCAD1/2/3 was located in the cytoplasm. The simulated responses of HmCADs to different stresses showed that HmCAD1 played a positive role in coping with each stress, while HmCAD2/3 was weak. These findings demonstrate the diversity of CADs in liverwort, highlight the divergent role of HmCAD1/2/3 in substrate catalysis, and also suggest their possible involvement in stress response, thereby providing new insights into CAD evolution while emphasizing their potential distinctive and collaborative contributions to the normal growth of primitive liverworts.

Comparative Evaluation of Spores and Vegetative Forms of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis on Probiotic Functionality In Vitro and In Vivo.

The probiotic effects of Bacillus are strain-specific and dependent on both spore and vegetative forms, but the distinct contributions of these forms to probiotic functionality are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impacts of vegetative forms and spores of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis on probiotic functions in vitro and in vivo. We systematically assessed the anaerobic metabolic capabilities and the potential to enhance the intestinal barrier function of four Bacillus strains, leading to the selection of Bacillus subtilis X22 and Bacillus licheniformis N-3 for detailed investigation. Utilizing in vitro fermentation with murine fecal microbiota, we observed that the spores form of Bacillus licheniformis N-3 noticeably positively regulated the gut microbiota under anaerobic conditions. Concurrently, both spore and vegetative forms of Bacillus licheniformis N-3 and Bacillus subtilis X22 demonstrated the ability to prevent pathogen adhesion, reduce inflammation, combat oxidative stress, and promote cellular autophagy to reduce apoptosis in response to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection in the IPEC-J2 cell model. As a facultative anaerobe, Bacillus licheniformis N-3 exhibited a tendency toward superior regulatory capacity in enhancing the anti-infective activity of IPEC-J2 cells in vitro. In the pathogens challenge mouse model, B. licheniformis N-3 effectively preserved the integrity of jejunal tissue and enhanced the expression of glycoproteins in goblet cells. Moreover, B. licheniformis N-3 strengthened the epithelial barrier by increasing the levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 in the jejunum, thus promoting overall intestinal health. This research offers new insights into strain selection and the life cycle utilization of Bacillus probiotics.

Mechanism of Irrigation Before Low-Temperature Exposure on Mitigating the Reduction in Yield Loss and Spikelet Abortion at the Jointing Stage of Wheat

The increasing frequency of low-temperature events in spring, driven by climate change, poses a serious threat to wheat production in Northern China. Understanding how low-temperature stress affects wheat yield and its components under varying moisture conditions, and exploring the role of irrigation before exposure to low temperatures, is crucial for food security and mitigating agricultural losses. In this study, four wheat cultivars—semi-spring (YZ4110, LK198) and semi-winter (ZM366, FDC21)—were tested across two years under different conditions of soil moisture (irrigation before low-temperature exposure (IBLT) and non-irrigation (NI)) and low temperatures (−2 °C, −4 °C, −6 °C, −8 °C, and −10 °C). The IBLT treatment effectively reduced leaf wilt, stem breakage, and spikelet desiccation. Low-temperature stress adversely impacted the yield per plant—including both original and regenerated yields—and yield components across all wheat varieties. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between regenerated and original yields. Semi-spring varieties showed greater yield reduction than semi-winter varieties, with a more pronounced impact under NI compared to IBLT. This suggests that the compensatory regenerative yield is more significant in semi-spring varieties and under NI conditions. As low-temperature stress intensified, the primary determinant of yield loss shifted from grain number per spike (GNPS) to spike number per plant (SNPP) beyond a specific temperature threshold. Under NI, this threshold was −6 °C, while it was −8 °C under IBLT. Low-temperature stress led to variability in fruiting rate across different spike positions, with semi-spring varieties and NI conditions showing the most substantial reductions. Sensitivity to low temperatures varied across spikelet positions: Apical spikelets were the most sensitive, followed by basal, while central spikelets showed the largest reduction in grain number as stress levels increased, significantly contributing to reduced overall grain yield. Irrigation, variety, and low temperature had variable impacts on physiological indices in wheat. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that irrigation significantly enhanced wheat’s response to cold tolerance indicators—such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), proline (Pro), and peroxidase (POD)—while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Irrigation also improved photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and leaf water content (LWC), thereby mitigating the adverse effects of low-temperature stress and supporting grain development in the central spike positions. In summary, IBLT effectively mitigates yield losses due to low-temperature freeze injuries, with distinct yield component contributions under varying stress conditions. Furthermore, this study clarifies the spatial distribution of grain responses across different spike positions under low temperatures, providing insights into the physiological mechanisms by which irrigation mitigates grain loss. These findings provide a theoretical and scientific basis for effective agricultural practices to counter spring freeze damage and predict wheat yield under low-temperature stress.

SMEs’ digital maturity: analyzing influencing factors and the mediating role of environmental factors

PurposeThis study investigates the relationships among various dimensions influencing the digital maturity of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A novel variable, namely SMEs' dependence level on environmental factors, is introduced to broaden the scope beyond traditional linear relationships, providing insights into the multifaceted nature of SME digital maturity.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs correlation and regression analyses to unravel significant correlations and explore the impact of predictors on the dependent variable. The interconnectedness of Technology, Product, Organization, People, Strategy and Operations is scrutinized, revealing their collective influence on SMEs' digital maturity. Importantly, the absence of multicollinearity issues is confirmed, validating the reliability of the study’s results. The regression models demonstrate robust explanatory power, with the inclusion of a mediator significantly enhancing overall model performance.FindingsThe findings highlight the interconnected nature of key dimensions, emphasizing the collective influence of Technology, Product, Organization, People, Strategy and Operations on SMEs' digital maturity. Analysis of variance results further support the effectiveness of these predictors in capturing variability in the dependent variable. Beta values provide insight into the distinct contributions of each predictor, emphasizing their individual impacts on SMEs' digital maturity.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the field by emphasizing the need for more holistic models and methodological advancements to understand the complex dynamics that shape SMEs' digital maturity. By introducing the novel variable of SMEs' dependence level on environmental factors, the research expands the conceptual framework, offering a fresh perspective on the multifaceted nature of SME digital maturity. The study’s originality is underscored by robust statistical analyses and an exploration of relationships among key dimensions. The comparison and contrast of findings with existing literature further enhance the study’s unique contributions to the field.

Disentangling decision errors from action execution in mouse-tracking studies: The case of effect-based action control.

Mouse-tracking is regarded as a powerful technique to investigate latent cognitive and emotional states. However, drawing inferences from this manifold data source carries the risk of several pitfalls, especially when using aggregated data rather than single-trial trajectories. Researchers might reach wrong conclusions because averages lump together two distinct contributions that speak towards fundamentally different mechanisms underlying between-condition differences: influences from online-processing during action execution and influences from incomplete decision processes. Here, we propose a simple method to assess these factors, thus allowing us to probe whether process-pure interpretations are appropriate. By applying this method to data from 12 published experiments on ideomotor action control, we show that the interpretation of previous results changes when dissociating online processing from decision and initiation errors. Researchers using mouse-tracking to investigate cognition and emotion are therefore well advised to conduct detailed trial-by-trial analyses, particularly when they test for direct leakage of ongoing processing into movement trajectories.

Hyperelastic model for nonlinear elastic deformations of graphene-based polymer nanocomposites

Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are increasingly important in engineering applications involving large deformations. However, the nonlinear behavior of these materials has not been thoroughly studied. Current models do not address the specific nonlinear effects of graphene nanofillers under large strains, lack sufficient comparison with experimental data, and primarily focus on uniaxial behavior without exploring biaxial responses, which are relevant in technological applications. This study investigates PNCs composed of silicone elastomer and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). We present experimental tests conducted in both simple tension and biaxial inflation on circular membranes. A homogenized hyperelastic model is developed, incorporating distinct contributions from the matrix and the nanofiller. Specifically, we introduce a novel strain energy function for the nanofiller contribution, tailored to reproduce the observed experimental behavior. The model accurately predicts the nonlinear elastic response of the studied PNCs across varying contents of GNPs. The proposed strain energy function is implemented in MATLAB to obtain an exact numerical solution for the inflation of circular PNC membranes. Finally, to demonstrate its broader applicability, the hyperelastic model is applied to additional experimental data from other PNCs found in the literature. This model contributes to establishing a robust framework for the effective use of PNCs.

Microbial Indoor Air Quality Within Greenhouses and Polytunnels Is Crucial for Sustainable Horticulture (Malopolska Province, Poland Conditions)

Sustainable horticulture is crucially based on the greenhouse production of vegetables under controlled conditions. In this study, we wanted to learn how cultivated plants may impact indoor air quality and whether the workers can be exposed to bioaerosols in a similar way in these settings. The study objective was to test the hypothesis that the microbial concentrations, distribution of bioaerosol particle sizes, and composition of the airborne microbiome are specific to greenhouses, polytunnels, and open-air sites. The air samples were collected to assess the concentration of total culturable bacteria (TCB), fungi, actinomycetes, and β-haemolytic bacteria and for the identification of bacterial and fungal strains. Higher concentrations of TCB and fungi were found in the greenhouse (log 3.71 and 3.49 cfu m−3, respectively) than in polytunnels (log 2.60–2.48 and 2.51–2.31 cfu m−3, respectively) during the vegetation of cucumbers. These airborne microbes were represented by a significant contribution of the respirable fraction with a distinct contribution of fine particles in size below 4.7 µm. Cultivation of cucumbers resulted in the higher emission of airborne microorganisms in contrast with growing herbs such as oregano and basil. In total, 35 different bacteria and 12 fungal species, including pathogenic or allergenic agents, were identified within the studied sites. The workers can be exposed to increased concentrations of TCB and fungi in the greenhouse during the plant vegetation. It might be recommended to properly manage greenhouses and polytunnels, dispose of dust sources, and maintain appropriate ventilation to sustain relevant air quality.

The Interplay between Principal’s Instructional Leadership and Teachers’ Professional Development

This study examines the relationship between instructional leadership of school principals with teachers’ professional development. A quantitative correlational research approach was adopted to collect data from 959 secondary school teachers using a survey technique in four districts of Malakand division, KP. The primary objective was to quantify the relationship between principals’ instructional leadership (PIL) and its three dimensions (defining the school mission (DSM), managing instructional programs (MIP), and developing the school learning climate (DSLC)) and teachers’ professional development (TPD). The data was analyzed using statistical tools, including linear and multiple regression techniques. The findings revealed principals’ instructional leadership’s positive and robust impact on teachers’ professional development. The analysis also unveiled that each sub-construct of principals’ instructional leadership DSM, MIP, and DSLC contributes to teachers’ professional development. The findings suggest that PIL and its dimensions are theoretical constructs and critical factors in shaping TPD. The results have significant implications for educational practices and policy development. By understanding the distinct contributions of DSM, MIP, and DSL, targeted interventions can be designed that leverage these sub-constructs to improve educational outcomes practically and effectively.