Juvenile Individuals Research Articles

CURRENT STATUS OF SCABIOSA ISETENSIS POPULATIONS IN CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN

The paper presents the results of studying the structure of 6 populations of Scabiosa isetensis growing in Central Kazakhstan. The floristic composition of communities, the ratio of life forms, ecological groups and age spectrum were evaluated. The floristic composition of the populations was 79 species from 56 genera and 23 families, of which the leading are the families of Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Herbaceous perennials predominate among life forms, mesophytes and xerophytes by ecological groups. Such a spectrum of families in populations with Scabiosa isetensis and ecological and biomorphic composition is a vivid indicator of the degree of habitat heterogeneity. Analysis of Jaccard's similarity indices showed similarity in species composition between populations 4 and 5; 1 and 2; 3 and 6, which is explained by similar habitat conditions. All studied populations are characterized by a single type of ontogenetic spectrum - left-handed type with predominance of juvenile individuals, i.e. populations with Scabiosa isetensis are young, developing, and suitable for practical use.

Record of albinism in European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Slovakia

The European ground squirrel is a mammalian species whose populations are declining and has therefore become the target of various conservation projects in recent years. Currently, there are only a few dozen isolated populations in the Central European region. Increased interest in these animals has contributed to the first record of albino specimens of this species. A total of four juvenile individuals from two litters from one colony were observed, and in addition to the documentation itself, elementary behaviour notes were also made. All specimens did not survive to adulthood, confirming the low survival rate of aberrant individuals in the wild.

Lung mechanics in juvenile and adult Chelonoidis carbonarius.

Testudines possess a rigid shell that influences the mechanics of the respiratory system. We studied respiratory mechanics in the terrestrial red-footed tortoise Chelonoidis carbonarius (Cryptodira), comparing juvenile individuals with a less ossified and more flexible carapace with adults with a well-ossified rigid shell. Combined with these ontogenetic differences, we analyzed respiratory system mechanics with animals in a supine and a prone position, as well as in the isolated lungs, to evaluate the impact of the viscera on breathing mechanics. To do so, we used established protocols to measure pulmonary volume (i.e. resting, VLr; and maximum, VLm), static (Cstat) and dynamic (Cdyn) compliance, and the work of breathing (W). We observed that isolated lungs displayed increased VLr, VLm, Cstat and Cdyn and decreased W. Additionally, pulmonary volume, compliance and W were affected by evaluated position, such as a smaller VLr in a supine position. Cdyn and W showed a volume dependency while frequency had less influence on these variables. At similar levels of ventilation, juveniles showed a lower W than adults when standardized by body mass, but similar W when standardized by VLr. Clear ontogenetic changes could be observed in breathing mechanics between juvenile and adult C. carbonarius. While these differences might largely be explained by variation in shell ossification, other explanations such as differences in visceral proportions or developmental degree of the post-pulmonary septum should also be taken into account.

Individual performance niches and responses to winter temperature change in three estuarine fishes from eastern Australia

Climate change may impact individual organisms in different ways, a consideration often overshadowed by predominant focus on population effects in studies. We examined three estuarine fish species to determine if individual fish performance, persisted across winter water temperatures. Fish performance at 16 °C (current Sydney winter estuarine water temperature) and 20 °C (predicted under climate change) with low and high food regimes was assessed using key physiological (growth, aerobic scope, burst speed) and behavioural parameters (foraging activity, boldness, shelter usage, predator escape response). We expected a strong positive relationship between performance at 16 °C and 20 °C for each parameter, and interactions with food level, however in general this was not found for any species. Relative performance was only maintained across temperatures for a few parameters, such as bite rate, boldness, and shelter response in one species (trumpeter Pelates sexlineatus), with aerobic scope in silver biddy Gerres subfasciatus, and boldness in fortescue Centropogon australis. Our results suggest that individuals’ fitness (directly via changes in growth, indirectly via behaviours) might be impacted by climate warming due to differences in relative performance among juvenile individuals across water temperatures. Changes in relative performance among individuals may initially compensate for a population-level response, thereby buffering the effects of climate change.

AGE STRUCTURE OF RHAPONTICUM SERRATULOIDES (GEORGI) BOBR. POPULATIONS. IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN

The article presents the results of studying the ontogenetic structure of seven cenopopulations of Rhaponticum serratuloides in Karaganda and Akmola regions of Kazakhstan (Northern and Central Kazakhstan). The majority of surveyed cenopopulations belong to normal incomplete populations. Their ontogenetic structure has two main types of spectrum - centered two-vertex spectrum, where the maximum falls on virginal and middle-generative individuals, as well as left-sided spectrum with predominance of pre-generative individuals. The condition of cenopopulations was assessed using the "delta-omega" criterion of L. A. Zhivotovsky. According to this criterion, most of the cenopopulations are mature (CP 1-2, CP 4-5), only two (CP6 and CP7) are young. The presence of a significant number of young plants in CP6 indicates its high capacity for maintenance and self-restoration. In CP7, unfavorable conditions prevailed and potentially generative plants remained in virginile age state. CP3 occupies an intermediate position between mature and young populations. In all cenopopulations there was almost complete absence of senile and sub-senile individuals, and only in some of them - deposition of juvenile and immature individuals. Incompleteness of cenopopulations is associated with increasing anthropogenic load and narrow ecological amplitude of Rh. serratuloides.

Evidence of age segregation behavior in Hypacrosaurus stebingeri (Hadrosauridae: Lambeosaurinae) based on the taphonomic comparison of bonebeds from the Upper Cretaceous (upper Campanian) Oldman Formation of southernmost Alberta (Canada) and Two Medicine Formation of Montana (USA)

Hadrosaurid social structure is still poorly understood. Evidence from bonebeds suggests that juvenile individuals of some hadrosaurid species lived apart from herds composed of older individuals, a phenomenon called age segregation. However, the timing at which juvenile individuals became segregated and later rejoined a multigenerational herd is unknown. Three monodominant bonebeds that preserve the remains of multiple individuals of the lambeosaurine hadrosaurid Hypacrosaurus stebingeri at different ontogenetic stages offer an opportunity to better understand the social structure of this species: the Devil's Coulee juvenile hadrosaur bonebed (JBB) from the Oldman Formation of Alberta (Canada) preserves a minimum of four similar-sized late juvenile individuals; the Blacktail Creek North (BCNB) bonebed from the Two Medicine Formation of Montana (USA) preserves a minimum of 23 early juvenile (previously referred to as “nestling”) individuals; and the Lambeosite (LB) bonebed preserves four similar-sized late juvenile individuals and one adult individual. These bonebeds show uniform taphonomic signatures throughout their respective bone assemblages, characterized by little to no weathering and abrasion, uniform style of fracturing, and rare tooth marks on bones. All three bonebeds are interpreted as mass-mortality assemblages. Histological data indicate that the late juvenile individuals from the JBB were three years old at the time of death, similar to the slightly larger late juvenile individuals from the LB, whereas the early juveniles from the BCNB had not yet reached 1 year of age. A taphonomic comparison of the three bonebeds reveal that H. stebingeri individuals lived in age-segregated groups, likely cohorts, until into their fourth year of life when, after having reached sexual maturity, they rejoined a multigenerational herd. The smaller number of individuals preserved in bonebeds representing later ontogenetic stages could reflect a decrease in group size due to high juvenile mortality rate or to higher metabolic needs.

Effects of Personality and Behavioral Syndromes on Competition for Social Hierarchical Status in Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii.

In this study, the behavioral ethogram of Amphiprion clarkii during the growth phase prior to sexual differentiation was summarized based on behavioral observations in three social environments. These behaviors can be classified into four categories: in addition to normal behaviors, the other three categories of behaviors-threatening, agonistic, and appeasing behaviors-represent different intentions in interactions with other individuals. Subsequently, the personalities of each individual were assessed by testing their reactions to intruders. These individuals mainly exhibited two distinct personality types: bold-aggressive and shy-submissive. In pairing experiments, the interactive behaviors of the anemonefish were observed in pairing combinations of different body sizes and personalities. The impact of personality on the establishment of a stable social hierarchy was confirmed by significant differences in the success rates of different pairing combinations, with the frequency of appeasing behaviors being the main factor influencing the success rate. Our results suggested that in natural waters, when juvenile individuals migrate among host anemones, shy-submissive individuals are more likely to be accepted due to their appeasing behaviors towards larger individuals, thus avoiding the risk of being attacked and bitten, and benefiting the survival of the individual. Conversely, bold-aggressive individuals are more likely to be driven away to another host anemone due to their unwillingness to settle for a lower-ranked status, thereby contributing to population dispersal and increasing opportunities for gene exchange between populations.

Jurassic fossil juvenile reveals prolonged life history in early mammals.

Living mammal groups exhibit rapid juvenile growth with a cessation of growth in adulthood1. Understanding the emergence of this pattern in the earliest mammaliaforms (mammals and their closest extinct relatives) is hindered by a paucity of fossils representing juvenile individuals. We report exceptionally complete juvenile and adult specimens of the Middle Jurassic docodontan Krusatodon, providing anatomical data and insights into the life history of early diverging mammaliaforms. We used synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography imaging of cementum growth increments in the teeth2-4 to provide evidence of pace of life in a Mesozoic mammaliaform. The adult was about 7 years and the juvenile 7 to 24 months of age at death and in the process of replacing its deciduous dentition with its final, adult generation. When analysed against a dataset of life history parameters for extant mammals5, the relative sequence of adult tooth eruption was already established in Krusatodon and in the range observed in extant mammals but this development was prolonged, taking place during a longer period as part of a significantly longer maximum lifespan than extant mammals of comparable adult body mass (156 g or less). Our findings suggest that early diverging mammaliaforms did not experience the same life histories as extant small-bodied mammals and the fundamental shift to faster growth over a shorter lifespan may not have taken place in mammaliaforms until during or after the Middle Jurassic.

Northernmost Locality Record of the Near Eastern Fire Salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata (Martens, 1885) (Amphibia: Salamandridae) in Türkiye

We provided a new locality record of Salamandra infraimmaculata, which is distributed in Türkiye, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Israel. Five juvenile individuals belonging to the species were recorded from Yoncabayırı village located in the İmranlı district of Sivas province, Türkiye. This is the evidence for the northernmost locality of S. infraimmaculata. The new locality record shows that the distribution of the species may extend along the branches of the Kızılırmak River and Tozanlı and Kelkit streams. Future field observations to be performed in the northern districts of Sivas and neighboring provinces to the north may extend the distribution of the species in Türkiye. Morphometric measurements and color-pattern characteristics of the specimens of the species from the new locality were described according to the subspecies distinction. SVL ranged between 63.14 and 78.43 mm in the juveniles of S. infraimmaculata. The color-pattern characteristics of the specimens from the Yoncabayırı population were found similar to the color-pattern features reported in other studies for S. i. orientalis subspecies. The specimens caught in Yoncabayarı had the presence of small yellow spots on the dorsal, which corresponds to the general characteristic of the subspecies

The role of various physiological and bioelectrical parameters for estimating the weight status in infants and juveniles cohort from the Southern Cuba region: a machine learning study

ObjectiveThe search for other indicators to assess the weight status of individuals is important as it may provide more accurate information and assist in personalized medicine.This work is aimed to develop a machine learning predictions of weigh status derived from bioimpedance measurements and other physical parameters of healthy infant juvenile cohort from the Southern Cuba Region, Santiago de Cuba.MethodsThe volunteers were selected between 2002 and 2008, ranging in age between 2 and 18 years old. In total, 393 female and male infant and juvenile individuals are studied. The bioimpedance parameters are obtained by measuring standard tetrapolar whole-body configuration. A classification model are performed, followed by a prediction of other bioparameters influencing the weight status.ResultsThe results obtained from the classification model indicate that fat-free mass, reactance, and corrected resistance primarily influence the weight status of the studied population. Specifically, the regression model demonstrates that other bioparameters derived from impedance measurements can be highly accurate in estimating weight status.ConclusionThe classification and regression predictive models developed in this work are of the great importance for accessing to the weigh status with high accuracy of younger individuals at the Oncological Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Juvenile sex estimation using the elevation of the auricular surface: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

AbstractThe development and identification of methods for effective sex estimation of physiologically juvenile remains continue to challenge bioarchaeologists. This systematic review and meta‐analysis of investigates the diagnostic accuracy of auricular surface elevation (ASE) for sex estimation of physiological juveniles; determines how the diagnostic accuracy differs between the categorical ASE method and the adapted ranked ASE method; and assesses if the diagnostic accuracy of ASE sex estimation improves with age. ASE sex estimation is used as a component of puberty estimation. A forward search using Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and CrossRef identified 248 unique documents that cited Weaver's original description of the method. The results of more than 700 sex estimates from five peer‐reviewed articles and two PhD dissertations are synthesized through bivariate meta‐analysis. The bivariate meta‐analysis reveals that ASE sex estimation correctly estimates sex of 36.7% [95% CI: 20.8–56.1%] of females and 82.4% [71.9–89.6%] of males. The predictive value of the female auricular surface trait (elevated) is 67.6% [61.8–72.9%], and the predictive value of the male trait (non‐elevated) is 56.6% [54.3–58.8%]. When separated into age cohorts of under 1 year old, under 10 years old, and over 10 years old, ASE sex estimation did not show improvement with increased age. This analysis demonstrates that the ASE sex estimation method does not accurately estimate or predict sex of physiologically juvenile individuals, with no improvement from a ranked method or by age. Furthermore, this method should not be used as a component of puberty estimation due to lack of improvement with increasing age‐at‐death.

Long-term exposure of endangered Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) to bisphenol A (BPA): growth, behavioral, histological, genotoxic, and hematological evaluation.

Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) which is identified as endangered species can be exposed to pollutants such as bisphenol A (BPA) that have a disruptive effect on the endocrine system at any time. Starting from this motivation, the current study focused on BPA toxicity in A. gueldenstaedtii juvenile individuals and its adverse effects in sub-lethal concentration. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of BPA was 5.03mg/L in 96th hour. In the chronic period, 0.625mg/L and 1.25mg/L BPA concentrations were evaluated based on the result of acute study. Accordingly, growth performance was significantly decreased in BPA groups (1.25mg/L BPA group was significantly lowest) compared to control (p < 0.05). In the acute period, behavioral disorders were standing at the bottom/corner of tank, slowing and stopping of gill movement, decreased response to stimuli, and death, respectively. While vacuolization was severe in the liver tissue of the fish in the acute period, intense necrosis and melanomacrophage centers were observed in the chronic period. In terms of genotoxicity, longer DNA migration was observed in all groups exposed to BPA than in the control group. In addition, lower erythrocyte and hemoglobin were observed in the BPA groups compared to control. As a result, the current study revealed toxic effect of BPA on A. gueldenstaedtii juvenile individuals and its negative results on fish physiology.

The finding of Unio pictorum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in the Om’ River, Western Siberia

Juvenile and subadult individuals of the Painter’s mussel Unio pictorum (Linnaeus, 1788) were recorded in dredge samples from the Om’ River in the Omsk City (southwestern part of Western Siberia). Information on the size-weight characteristics of U. pictorum from the site, its abundance and biomass are given. Possible consequences of the introduction of this neobiotic species into aquatic ecosystems of the Irtysh River basin are discussed.

Compromised health: Examining growth and health in a late antique Roman infant and child cemetery.

Combining research from infant and child development, public health, anthropology, and history, this research examines the relationship between growth, growth disruption, and skeletal indicators of chronic and/or episodic physiological stress (stress) among juvenile individuals (n = 60) interred at the late antique infant and child cemetery at Poggio Gramignano (PG) (ca. 5th century CE), associated with a rural agricultural community. Growth disruption-evidenced by decreased long bone length compared to dental age-and stress experience-evidenced by skeletal stress indicators-within these individuals are compared to those within juveniles from a comparative sample (n = 66) from two urban Roman-era cemeteries, Villa Rustica (VR) (0-250 CE) and Tragurium City Necropolis (TCN) (0-700 CE). Results indicate that individuals from PG had significantly smaller femoral lengths-for-age than those from VR and TCN; however, the frequency of skeletal stress indicators was higher among juveniles from VR and TCN. These differences in growth and stress experience are likely related to the different biosocial and ecological environments present in these two regions. For the community at PG, internal and external violent conflicts, as well as social, political, and economic turmoil, and subsistence shortages, endemic and epidemic infectious disease, nutritional deficiencies, and inherited or acquired anemia may have synergized to create chronically and/or episodically deleterious conditions for its juveniles.

Genetic diversity and structure of Hopea bilitonensis, an endemic Dipterocarp from Belitung Island, Indonesia

Hopea bilitonensis Ashton (Dipterocarpaceae) is a small tree endemic to some islands on the east coast of Sumatra, particularly Belitung Island, Indonesia, and the northwest of Malaysia. Forest fragmentation and degradation in Belitung Island could affect population and genetic diversity of this species. The main objectives of this study are to examine genetic diversity and structure of H. bilitonensis on Belitung Island, Sumatra. Multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq) is used for genotyping and SNP detection. Genetic diversity and structure were determined using STRUCTURE analysis. We found that genetic diversity of H. bilitonensis is lower in seedlings than in juvenile and mature individuals. In contrast, inbreeding coefficient is lower in mature individuals than in the seedlings and juveniles. Genetic clusters (K=3) are detected in the early regeneration stages. These genetic structure separates the population of seedling and juvenile stages more clearly than in the mature individuals. Representation of these genetic clusters is essential when collecting propagation material for ex-situ conservation and establishing new populations of this threatened species to ensure its sustainability.

Distribution and diversity of elasmobranchs in the Sea of Marmara: A 2023 status report

Abstract Elasmobranchs, encompassing an array of sharks and rays, confront a threat of extinction on a global scale. The Sea of Marmara (SoM) stands out as a critical refuge for these endangered species. This study harnesses data derived from comprehensive trawl surveys, representing the first area‐based evaluation of the elasmobranchs inhabiting the SoM. Sampling protocols were carried out at 10 separate stations along the 980‐km coastline of the SoM, each bounded by different ecological characteristics and anthropogenic influences. A total of eight shark species and six ray species were caught in the towed area of the entire the SoM. Notably, Scyliorhinus canicula and near‐threatened Raja clavata constitute more than 50% of the total abundance. Additionally, rare, and critically endangered species, including the Oxynotus centrina, Squatina squatina, Dipturus batis, and Myliobatis aquila, were documented, expanding our knowledge of their presence in the region. Spatial distribution heterogeneity was pronounced within species. Size distributions were species‐specific, and the presence of both juvenile and adult individuals suggested successful reproduction and growth. Records expand the known size range in the SoM for six shark and three ray species. It also provides first‐size information based on the total length of the S. stellaris and D. batis. Additionally, the urgent need for field‐based conservation efforts is highlighted, citing a previously unidentified important sensitive areas located in the southern part of the SoM.

Cranial and postcranial anatomy of a juvenile baurusuchid (Notosuchia, Crocodylomorpha) and the taxonomical implications of ontogeny.

Baurusuchidae comprises a clade of top-tier terrestrial predators and are among the most abundant crocodyliforms found in the Adamantina Formation, Bauru Basin, Brazil (Campanian-Maastrichtian). Here, we provide a detailed description of the cranial and postcranial osteology and myology of the most complete juvenile baurusuchid found to date. Although the preservation of juvenile individuals is somewhat rare, previously reported occurrences of baurusuchid egg clutches, a yearling individual, and larger, but skeletally immature specimens, comprise a unique opportunity to track anatomical changes throughout their ontogenetic series. Its cranial anatomy was resolved with the aid of a three-dimensional model generated by the acquisition of computed tomography data, and its inferred adductor mandibular musculature was compared to that of mature specimens in order to assess possible ontogenetic shifts. A subsequent phylogenetic analysis included the scoring of Gondwanasuchus scabrosus, the smallest baurusuchid species known to date, to evaluate its phylogenetic relations relative to a known juvenile. We find considerable differences between juveniles and adults concerning skull ornamentation and muscle development, which might indicate ontogenetic niche partitioning, and also anatomical and phylogenetic evidence that G. scabrosus corresponds to a young semaphoront lacking mature cranial features.

Analyses of fin ray types to detect strontium markers in juvenile blunt-snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala

BackgroundRestocking by introducing hatchery-reared fish into wild habitats aids in the restoration of fishery aquatic ecosystems and reefs to increase the abundance of fish resources, restore the ecological balance of water bodies, and enhance ecosystem functioning. Accurately, rapidly, and effectively evaluating the success of restocking using chemical markers (e.g., strontium [Sr]) remains challenging for fisheries management. Consequently, for non-lethal fish sampling, hard tissues, such as fin rays, have received increasing attention as a target for marking method. However, data on the differences in marking different types of fin rays remain limited. Therefore, we exposed juvenile blunt snout bream individuals (Megalobrama amblycephala) to 0 (control group) or 800 mg/L of SrCl2·6H2O (marked group) for 5 days and transferred them into normal aerated water for post-immersion culture. We sampled their pectoral, dorsal, ventral, anal, and caudal fin rays. The Sr marks among the fin types were sampled at 0 and 20 days post-immersion and evaluated using an electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) for the five-day Sr/Ca ratios, along with line transect and Sr mapping analyses.ResultsSr marking signatures were observed in all fin types in the marked group, with a success rate of up to 100%. Although marking efficiency varied among the different fin ray types, the highest Sr/Ca ratios were most often detected in the dorsal fin. Cross-sectional Sr concentration maps of all fin rays sampled showed high-Sr domains in the marked group; in contrast, the entire cross-sections of the control group displayed low Sr contents, indicating successful marking efficiency.ConclusionsFin ray Sr marking is a successful method for juvenile M. amblycephala, with the advantages of non-lethality and negligible sampling injuries, facilitating the rapid and effective evaluation of Sr marking in restocking M. amblycephala.

Biology of Nicotiana glutinosa L., a newly recorded species from an archaeological excavation site in Egypt

BackgroundDuring a field survey of urban flora in Alexandria city in 2019–2022, an interesting species belonging to the Solanaceae was collected from a newly archaeological excavation site and identified as Nicotiana glutinosa L. Many visits were made to the herbaria of Egypt to confirm the species records, but no single record was found. Reviewing the available literature revealed that this tropical American taxon was never recorded in the flora of Egypt.AimsThe present study was focused on N. glutinosa growth structure and plant macro- and micromorphology.MethodsTen sampling sites were covered for N. glutinosa size structure. Plant samples were examined for stem anatomy, leaf, seed, and pollen morphology.ResultsThe species size structure reveals that the individual size index ranges from 1.33 to 150 cm, while its density ranges from 4 to 273 individuals /100 m−2.N. glutinosa has successfully established itself in one of the archaeological sites in Egypt, showing a “healthy” population with a high degree of size inequality, characterized by a relative majority of the juvenile individuals. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Alexandria University (ALEX) Faculty of Science, another specimen is processed to make herbarium specimens at the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden (Heneidy et al. collection, deposition number. 5502).ConclusionsFrom our observations, N. glutinosa seems to have invasive potential, as it shows characteristics shared by most invasive species that are thought to help in their successful establishment in new habitats. This article emphasizes the importance of monitoring and regularly reporting the threats of alien invasive species to avoid any possible negative impacts on indigenous biodiversity in the future.

Factors and Patterns Associated with Juvenile Delinquency with Reference to Juvenile Crimes in India

Objectives: This study aims to examine the patterns in juvenile delinquency based on factors including age, gender, offence type, and characteristics used in NCRB reports and to comprehend the various factors that contribute to juvenile crime. Methods: This study was done using the secondary data which was collected from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports in the year of 2017 to 2021 by the Government of India. Result and discussion: The analysis of the aforementioned data reveals that there is a higher level of juvenile crimes in India especially in various states. It also shows that a significant proportion of juvenile individuals have unfortunately fallen victim to a multitude of socio-economic pressures, including poverty, inadequate parental guidance, limited access to education, and the influence of peer groups. The crime rate in India has exhibited a notable upward trend over the years, accompanied by a concerning decline in the rate of convictions. Conclusion: The issue of juvenile delinquency necessitates focused consideration and an approach that prioritizes the well-being of children, with an emphasis on safeguarding and proactive measures to prevent their involvement in deviant behaviour. Research Implications: The findings can have implications for policymakers and educators in the realm of pedagogy development. Additionally, it bears relevance for family members and other stakeholders who play a crucial role in fostering the comprehensive growth and development of children.