Specific Community Research Articles

Healing from Within: How Gut Microbiota Predicts IBD Treatment Success-A Systematic Review.

Recent research indicates that the microbiome has a significant impact on the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and that creating therapies that change its composition could positively impact the outcomes of IBD treatment. This review summarizes the results of extensive studies that examined IBD patients undergoing several therapies, including anti-TNF medication, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and the alterations in their gut microbiota's composition and function. The objective was to investigate the variety and effectiveness of microbial species in order to discover new biomarkers or therapeutic targets that could improve the outcome of treatment for these patients. This research aimed to offer useful insights into personalized medicine techniques for managing IBD. Beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Roseburia have been consistently linked to favorable clinical outcomes, whereas pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Clostridioides difficile are associated with worsening disease conditions. Although many studies have examined the role of gut microbiota in IBD, there is still a need for more targeted research on the connection between specific microbial communities and treatment outcomes. This study sought to address this gap by exploring the intricate relationship between the gut microbiota composition and the effectiveness of IBD medications.

Downhill skiing & climate change adaptation in Wisconsin: perspectives from key stakeholders

Climate change is currently impacting various facets of our local systems with many stakeholders and industries working to adapt to these changing conditions. There is a growing recognition that adaptation practices need to be directed within specific industries, communities, and stakeholders. A key area that is being impacted is the snow sports industry which is facing various challenges due to localized climatic changes. Previous work has indicated that climate change may leave these snow-dependent industries in the U.S. Midwest unviable in the future, so it is imperative to understand how these stakeholders are adapting to climate change and how they view the future of their industry. To do this, we conducted in-depth interviews with owners and operators in Wisconsin to understand 1) the climate change impacts they are facing, 2) their adaptation strategies, and 3) their views of the future of Wisconsin downhill skiing. Our results outline various environmental and social changes that participants associate with climate change and document their current adaptation strategies. Operators are optimistic about the future, but there is a recognition that adaptation practices and planning will likely intensify. This letter concludes with an outline for future research and support for adaptation practices that blend qualitative methods with physical and technological research that can aid this industry’s adaptation strategies.

Adult Outpatients with Long COVID Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant. Part 1: Oral Microbiota Alterations

BackgroundMany individuals experience long COVID after SARS-CoV-2 infection. As microbiota can influence health, it may change with COVID-19. This study investigated differences in oral microbiota between COVID-19 patients with and without long COVID. MethodsBased on a prospective follow-up investigation, this nested case-control study evaluated the differences in oral microbiota in individuals with and without long COVID (Symptomatic and Asymptomatic groups), which were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing on tongue coating samples. A predictive model was established using machine learning based on specific differential microbial communities. ResultsOne-hundred-and-eight patients were included (n=54 Symptomatic group). The Symptomatic group had higher Alpha diversity indices (observed_otus, Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indices), differences in microbial composition (Beta diversity), and microbial dysbiosis with increased diversity and relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Marker bacteria (c__Campylobacterota, o__Coriobacteriales, o__Pseudomonadales, and o__Campylobacterales) were associated with long COVID by linear discriminant analysis effect size and receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC 0.821). ConclusionThere were distinct variations in oral microbiota between COVID-19 patients with and without long COVID. Changes in oral microbiota may indicate long COVID.

A Novel Species of the Genus Thermanaerothrix Isolated from a Kamchatka Hot Spring Possesses Hydrolytic Capabilities.

Hot springs are inhabited by specific microbial communities which are reservoirs of novel taxa. In this work strain 4228-RoLT was isolated from the Solnechny hot spring, Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka. Cells of the strain 4228-RoLT were Gram-negative rods forming multicellular filaments. The strain grew optimally at 60°C and pH 7.0 and fermented various organic compounds including polysaccharides (microcrystalline cellulose, xylan, chitin, starch, dextrin, dextran, beta-glucan, galactomannan, glucomannan, mannan). Major fatty acids were iso-C17:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, iso-C19:0, anteiso-C17:0 and C22:0. Genome of the strain was of 3.25 Mbp with GC content of 54.2%. Based on the whole genome comparisons and phylogenomic analysis the new isolate was affiliated to a novel species of Thermanaerothrix genus within Anaerolineae class of phylum Chloroflexota, for which the name T. solaris sp. nov. was proposed with 4228-RoLT (= VKM B-3776T = UQM 41594T = BIM B-2058T) as the type strain. 114 CAZymes including 43 glycoside hydrolases were found to be encoded in the genome of strain 4228-RoLT. Cell-bound and extracellular enzymes of strain 4228-RoLT were active against starch, dextran, mannan, xylan and various kinds of celluloses, with the highest activity against beta-glucan. Altogether, growth experiments, enzymatic activities determination and genomic analysis suggested that T. solaris strain 4228-RoLT could serve as a source of glycosidases suitable for plant biomass hydrolysis.

Environment and microbiome drive different microbial traits and functions in the macroscale soil organic carbon cycle.

Soil microbial traits and functions play a central role in soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. However, at the macroscale (regional to global) it is still unresolved whether (i) specific environmental attributes (e.g., climate, geology, soil types) or (ii) microbial community composition drive key microbial traits and functions directly. To address this knowledge gap, we used 33 grassland topsoils (0-10 cm) from a geoclimatic gradient in Chile. First, we incubated the soils for 1 week in favorable standardized conditions and quantified a wide range of soil microbial traits and functions such as microbial biomass carbon (MBC), enzyme kinetics, microbial respiration, growth rates as well as carbon use efficiency (CUE). Second, we characterized climatic and physicochemical properties as well as bacterial and fungal community composition of the soils. We then applied regression analysis to investigate how strongly the measured microbial traits and functions were linked with the environmental setting versus microbial community composition. We show that environmental attributes (predominantly the amount of soil organic matter) determined patterns of MBC along the gradient, which in turn explained microbial respiration and growth rates. However, respiration and growth normalized for MBC (i.e., specific respiration and growth) were more linked to microbial community composition than environmental attributes. Notably, both specific respiration and growth followed distinct trends and were related to different parts of the microbial community, which in turn resulted in strong effects on microbial CUE. We conclude that even at the macroscale, CUE is the result of physiologically decoupled aspects of microbial metabolism, which in turn is partially determined by microbial community composition. The environmental setting and microbial community composition affect different microbial traits and functions, and therefore both factors need to be considered in the context of macroscale SOC dynamics.

Analysis of waste generation characteristics as a reference for TPS 3R planning in community-based waste management efforts in Pandansari Lor Village, Malang Regency

Background: Waste management is a critical issue in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas like Pandansari Lor Village in Malang Regency. Improper waste disposal practices, such as open burning and dumping in rivers, pose environmental and health hazards. This study aims to analyze the waste generation characteristics in Pandansari Lor Village as a baseline for planning a community-based Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) waste processing site (TPS 3R). Method: A waste sampling method was conducted following the SNI 19-3964-1994 guidelines to measure the waste generation rate, density, and composition. Findings: The results showed that the average waste generation rate in Pandansari Lor Village was 0.16 kg/person/day or 778.72 kg/day for the total population, with a waste density of 74.02 kg/m³. The waste composition was dominated by organic waste (62.26%), followed by plastic (26.74%), paper (5.89%), and other components. These findings suggest the need for a 3R-based waste management system that involves community participation. Conclusion: The TPS 3R facility should be designed to handle the projected waste generation for the next 10 years, with a capacity of 15,438 L/day. Proper waste segregation, composting of organic waste, and recycling of plastic and other recyclable materials are recommended. This study provides valuable insights for developing a sustainable and effective waste management strategy in rural areas, considering the specific waste characteristics and community involvement. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study proposes a 3R TPS model adapted to rural waste, focusing on organic waste composting and plastic recycling. This model is designed to increase community participation in waste management through community-based education and empowerment.

Penggunaan Aplikasi Kamus Sinonim Antonim Sebagai Media Pembelajaran di MTS. Al-Hijrah NU Medan

Community service is an activity aimed at assisting specific communities in various activities. This activity is a part of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, an educational activity for the community in the form of formal and non-formal education for children or students. In community service, it is expected to increase students' interest through an Indonesian language learning approach at MTS. AL-HIJRAH NU Medan, the learning approach is conducted using the play-for-study method, where Indonesian language learning will utilize a learning media in the form of a synonym and antonym dictionary application. Through the approach of learning by playing in groups, skills in understanding antonyms and synonyms are developed, so that through this game, it is hoped that students will be able to understand the similarities/differences in vocabulary. This approach provides an opportunity for students to interact with each other and express various arguments in their minds. From this activity, it is hoped that the use of the synonym and antonym dictionary application as a facility that accommodates students' learning, practicing, and playing activities through word-guessing skills can be fulfilled and beneficial to the surrounding community.

Interpretasi Hukum Mutatis Mutandis Dalam Pembentukan Peraturan Daerah

Introduction: In the formation of regional regulations, one must look at the needs and existence of the region by prioritizing community welfare as an instrument in implementing regional regulations. This results in the formation of regional regulations having to be based on regional needs, not on legal rules, bearing in mind that application mutatis mutandis is the basis in seeing that need.Purposes of the Research: This writing aims to determine the study of mutatis mutandis legal interpretation in the formation of regional regulations. Methods of the Research: Normative legal research. The research approach is a statutory approach and a conceptual approach. The sources of legal materials used are primary legal materials, secondary legal materials and tertiary legal materials. The technique for collecting legal materials is through literature study and then analyzed through perspective using qualitative methods.Results of the Research: With the interpretation methods used such as literal, historical, systematic, teleological interpretation, or comparison with other laws. So that the formation of regional regulations by applying the mutatis mutandis principle becomes the main point in the formation of regional regulations based on more specific community needs, bearing in mind that this is useful for speeding up and making efficient the process of forming regional regulations.

Islamic legal perspective on the prohibition of marriage for women without the ability to knit typical Lombok woven fabric (Menyesek): A case study in Sukarare Village, Jonggat District, Central Lombok District

Background: The custom of weaving the clothes is a custom of the ancestors of the people of Sukarare Village, which must be carried out at weddings. Having weaving skills is a requirement that must be met for women before carrying out a marriage contract. If a woman does not have weave skills, she is prohibited from carrying out the marriage. This article will discuss the problem of the practice of prohibiting marriage for women before they can weave in Sukarare Village, Jonggat District, Central Lombok Regency, and what the perspective of Islamic law is regarding the prohibition of marriage for women before they can weave in Sukarare Village, Jonggat District, Central Lombok Regency. Methods: Researchers used field research with a qualitative descriptive approach. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and documentation. Two data sources were used, namely primary data and secondary data. Findings: This research finds that the practice of prohibiting marriage for women who cannot yet knit traditional Lombok cloth has begun to erode. Conclusion: According to Islamic law, the prohibition of marriage for women before they can sesek is a marriage prohibition that can be justified because: First, it brings benefits to each individual and many people. Second, it is included in the authentic urf as long as it does not conflict with Islamic teachings. Novelty/Originality of this Study: The intersection between local customs and Islamic law, specifically focusing on the unique tradition in Sukarare Village that prohibits women from marrying until they can weave traditional Lombok cloth, offers a rare insight into the coexistence and mutual influence of cultural practices and religious principles on marriage laws in a specific Indonesian community.

Community Public Mobility Using On-Demand, Low-Speed Electric Vehicles: A Case Study in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri

Legacy fixed-route transit systems designed to serve commuters struggle to provide efficient and effective service for short neighborhood trips and for population groups unable to access and egress transit stops using active modes (e.g., elderly, disabled). Neighborhood on-demand transit (ODT) services using low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) are an innovative technological solution that could help fill this gap in service (e.g., short, high-frequency trips) for diverse populations and trip types. This study evaluated user characteristics and travel behavior for a neighborhood ODT service (using LSEVs) in downtown St. Louis, MO, using responses from a community survey ( n = 244), ridership data, and vehicle trajectory information. A comparative analysis between neighborhood ODT, fixed-route transit, and transportation network companies (TNCs) was also conducted from the perspectives of total travel time, cost, and greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, the goal of the analysis was to motivate and inform holistic public mobility systems where different services are optimized to meet specific community needs. Findings indicate that the neighborhood ODT was effective at reaching diverse populations (elderly [20%], lower income [27%], and households with limited access to private vehicles [34%]). ODT reduced total travel time by 32% compared with fixed-route transit, produced 2.4 to 4.3 times less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger mile (compared with transit and TNCs), and was more affordable (free to users) than alternative options ($1 for transit, $10 to $12 for TNCs). Overall satisfaction rates were high, with 80% of respondents rating the service a 4 or 5 out of 5.

Risk Factor Profile and Role of Cardiovascular Disease Outreach Program by Experts in Rural Communities: A Pilot Study in Magetan Regency, Indonesia

Cardiovascular outreach programs and risk factors profiling have been regarded as key strategy in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases as the leading global causes of death worldwide, especially when being conducted by a professional. This pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a cardiovascular outreach program in Plaosan District, Magetan Regency, to improve knowledge and influence changes in the community’s behavior related to cardiovascular risk factors. This study was conducted by providing educational interventions and profiling cardiovascular risk factors on 90 adults using consecutive sampling method. Health education was performed by experts and evaluated by pre-post tests before and after the material delivery. Statistical analysis was used to assess the relationship of risk factors that can contribute to cardiovascular disease. This study showed a significant increase in the participants' knowledge score after the intervention (p = 0.007). There were several risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the participants, with the highest risk prevalence being diabetes mellitus (33.33%). Six participants (6.67%) had abnormal electrocardiography results. In conclusion, our study showed a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in rural communities and the importance of cardiovascular outreach programs by experts to improve the understanding of cardiovascular disease in a specific community.

Deciphering the gut microbiota of zebrafish, the most used fish as a biological model: A meta-analytic approach

A meta-analytic approach deciphered the taxonomic profile of the zebrafish gut microbiota at different developmental stages. Data (16S rDNA) were systematically searched in databases, selecting those with intestine samples of fish not exposed to a particular treatment or challenge (e.g., pathogens, dietetic tests, xenobiotics, etc.) and obtaining 340 samples to be processed. Results revealed marked differences between the developmental phases. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in the larval phase, with a relative abundance of 90%, while the rest of the phyla did not exceed 2%. Vibrio, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Pseudomonas, Shewanella, and Acinetobacter were the dominant genera in this phase. Transitional changes were observed after the larvae stage. Proteobacteria still registered high abundance (48%) in the juvenile phase, but Fusobacteria (40%) and Bacteriodota (5.9%) registered considerable increases. Genera, including Cetobacterium, Plesiomonas, Aeromonas, Vibrio, and Flavobacterium, dominated this stage. The phyla Proteobacteria (48%) and Fusobacteria (35%) were strongly established in the adult phase. Cetobacterium was registered as the most abundant genus, followed by Aeromonas, Acinetobacter, Plesiomonas, Vibrio, and ZOR0006 (Firmicutes; 6%). In conclusion, the composition of the intestinal microbiota of zebrafish is consistently determined by two primary phyla, Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria; however, this composition varies depending on the developmental stage. Cetobacterium and Aeromonas are the most relevant genera in juveniles and adults. Finally, these results reveal a consistent pattern of certain bacterial groups in the zebrafish microbiota that could help shape gnotobiotic models (colonized with a specific known bacterial community) or synthetic microbiota (in vitro assembly of microbes), among other approaches.

Infant Microbiota Communities and Human Milk Oligosaccharide Supplementation Independently and Synergistically Shape Metabolite Production and Immune Responses in Healthy Mice

BackgroundMultiple studies have demonstrated associations between the early-life gut microbiome and incidence of inflammatory and autoimmune disease in childhood. Although microbial colonization is necessary for proper immune education, it is not well understood at a mechanistic level how specific communities of bacteria promote immune maturation or drive immune dysfunction in infancy. ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to assess whether infant microbial communities with different overall structures differentially influence immune and gastrointestinal development in healthy mice. MethodsGerm-free mice were inoculated with fecal slurries from Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis positive (BIP) or B. longum subspecies infantis negative (BIN) breastfed infants; half of the mice in each group were also supplemented with a pool of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for 14 d. Cecal microbiome composition and metabolite production, systemic and mucosal immune outcomes, and intestinal morphology were assessed at the end of the study. ResultsThe results showed that inoculation with a BIP microbiome results in a remarkably distinct microbial community characterized by higher relative abundances of cecal Clostridium senu stricto, Ruminococcus gnavus, Cellulosilyticum sp., and Erysipelatoclostridium sp. The BIP microbiome produced 2-fold higher concentrations of cecal butyrate, promoted branched short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and further modulated serotonin, kynurenine, and indole metabolism relative to BIN mice. Further, the BIP microbiome increased the proportions of innate and adaptive immune cells in spleen, while HMO supplementation increased proliferation of mesenteric lymph node cells to phorbol myristate acetate and lipopolysaccharide and increased serum IgA and IgG concentrations. ConclusionsDifferent microbiome compositions and HMO supplementation can modulate SCFA and tryptophan metabolism and innate and adaptive immunity in young, healthy mice, with potentially important implications for early childhood health.

Making the hard sale: Migrant sales agents and the precarious labours of Philippine real estate brokerage

In recent years, scholars have taken interest in the significant remittance contributions of Filipinos living and working abroad to what some have called the Philippine ‘real estate boom’. In the case of real estate property as investment, however, much remains unknown with regards to how major Philippine real estate developers capture, facilitate and ensure the continuous flow of migrant investments into condominium units in the Philippines. This article examines how Philippine real estate developers make use of a particular kind of sales labour to reach various Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) populations. It argues that most major developers rely on a hierarchical, networked and transnationalized labour arrangement, composed mainly of licensed and unlicensed sales agents. Drawing from interviews with sales agents working in and between the cities of Metro Manila and Dubai, it then complicates dominant depictions of real estate sales agents by demonstrating the precarious conditions they work under as well as how this flexible labour arrangement often works in two ways. First, this article demonstrates that through their sales labour, specific Filipino migrant community dynamics such as community leadership, charity and other migrant ‘life projects’ such as investments, side hustles and debt get absorbed into the very circuitry of real estate accumulation. Second, through sales agents’ recruitment of OFW ‘marketing partners’, Philippine real estate developers are able to enter and expand into spaces of migrant advocacy and of migrant in/formal work to enrol OFWs either as potential investors, as labour or both.

Recovery capacity of constructed wetlands in response to multiple disturbances: Microbial interaction perspective

Previous studies have predominantly explored the response mechanisms of constructed wetlands (CWs) to singular disturbances. In practical applications, CWs are frequently subject to multiple disturbances, resulting in complex interference mechanisms. Therefore, this study aims to select harmful algal blooms and microalga ZM-5 as disturbances to investigate the response mechanisms of CWs. Results revealed a dynamic pattern in COD removal efficiency of CWs, with fluctuations at 39.0 ± 6.2 % and 80.1 ± 4.7 % during the disturbances, followed by a recovery to approximately 65.7 ± 3.2 %. Additionally, the CWs exhibited a capacity for self-recovery and enhanced stability by selectively promoting specific microbial communities through the regulation of the genes responsible for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and vitamin production. Importantly, this study underscored the establishment of a resilient microbial community structure within CWs following multiple disturbances, characterized by a more interconnected microbial network. These findings shed light on the adaptive mechanisms of CWs in the face of complex environmental challenges.

Biofilm marker discovery with cloud-based dockerized metagenomics analysis of microbial communities.

In an environment, microbes often work in communities to achieve most of their essential functions, including the production of essential nutrients. Microbial biofilms are communities of microbes that attach to a nonliving or living surface by embedding themselves into a self-secreted matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. These communities work together to enhance their colonization of surfaces, produce essential nutrients, and achieve their essential functions for growth and survival. They often consist of diverse microbes including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Biofilms play a critical role in influencing plant phenotypes and human microbial infections. Understanding how these biofilms impact plant health, human health, and the environment is important for analyzing genotype-phenotype-driven rule-of-life functions. Such fundamental knowledge can be used to precisely control the growth of biofilms on a given surface. Metagenomics is a powerful tool for analyzing biofilm genomes through function-based gene and protein sequence identification (functional metagenomics) and sequence-based function identification (sequence metagenomics). Metagenomic sequencing enables a comprehensive sampling of all genes in all organisms present within a biofilm sample. However, the complexity of biofilm metagenomic study warrants the increasing need to follow the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusable (FAIR) Guiding Principles for scientific data management. This will ensure that scientific findings can be more easily validated by the research community. This study proposes a dockerized, self-learning bioinformatics workflow to increase the community adoption of metagenomics toolkits in a metagenomics and meta-transcriptomics investigation. Our biofilm metagenomics workflow self-learning module includes integrated learning resources with an interactive dockerized workflow. This module will allow learners to analyze resources that are beneficial for aggregating knowledge about biofilm marker genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways as they define the composition of specific microbial communities. Cloud and dockerized technology can allow novice learners-even those with minimal knowledge in computer science-to use complicated bioinformatics tools. Our cloud-based, dockerized workflow splits biofilm microbiome metagenomics analyses into four easy-to-follow submodules. A variety of tools are built into each submodule. As students navigate these submodules, they learn about each tool used to accomplish the task. The downstream analysis is conducted using processed data obtained from online resources or raw data processed via Nextflow pipelines. This analysis takes place within Vertex AI's Jupyter notebook instance with R and Python kernels. Subsequently, results are stored and visualized in Google Cloud storage buckets, alleviating the computational burden on local resources. The result is a comprehensive tutorial that guides bioinformaticians of any skill level through the entire workflow. It enables them to comprehend and implement the necessary processes involved in this integrated workflow from start to finish. This manuscript describes the development of a resource module that is part of a learning platform named "NIGMS Sandbox for Cloud-based Learning" https://github.com/NIGMS/NIGMS-Sandbox. The overall genesis of the Sandbox is described in the editorial NIGMS Sandbox [1] at the beginning of this Supplement. This module delivers learning materials on the analysis of bulk and single-cell ATAC-seq data in an interactive format that uses appropriate cloud resources for data access and analyses.

Oxygen regulation of microbial communities and chemical compounds in cigar tobacco curing.

Curing is a critical process that determines the sensory quality of cigars. The impact of oxygen on cigar curing and the mechanisms by which it regulates microbial changes affecting cigar quality are not well understood. In this study, we selected handmade cigars from the same batch and conducted curing experiments in environments with varying oxygen concentrations (equivalent to 0.1%, 6-12, and 15% of atmospheric oxygen concentration). We collected samples over 60 days and analyzed the distribution of microbial communities using high-throughput sequencing. Combined with the analysis of total sugars, proteins, flavor substances, and other chemical compounds, we elucidated how different oxygen concentrations affect the cigar curing process, influence microbial community succession, and ultimately impact cigar quality. Our results revealed significant differences in bacterial community composition under different oxygen conditions. Under aerobic conditions, Cyanobacteria were the dominant bacteria, while under oxygen-limited conditions, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium predominated. As oxygen concentration decreased, so did the richness and diversity of the bacterial community. Conversely, oxygen concentration had a lesser impact on fungi; Aspergillus was the dominant genus in all samples. We also found that Enterococcus showed a positive correlation with aspartic acid, alanine, and 4-aminobutyric acid and a negative correlation with cysteine. Cigars cured at 15% oxygen concentration for 60 days exhibited optimal quality, particularly in terms of flavor richness and sweetness. These findings suggest that oxygen concentration can alter cigar quality by regulating aerobic and anaerobic microbial community succession. The relationship between specific microbial communities and flavor compounds also provides a theoretical reference for developing artificial control technologies in the cigar curing process.

Beyond “Religious Fundamentalism”: Bridging Religious Tradition, Gender Normative Systems, and State Institutions to Respond to Intimate Partner Violence in Ethiopia

Despite its western Christian origin, the notion of religious fundamentalism has been employed by western and non-western scholars alike to describe a variety of religious groups perceived to manifest antagonism to aspects of modernity and secularism, especially western ideals of gender equality as enforced in many cases by state policies. Within religion and gender studies and Gender and Development scholarship, fundamentalism has been often invoked in reference to faith communities opposing feminist ideals, but without due recognition being given to the western metaphysics of feminist theories of gender, or the epistemological and ethical problems of “naming” such communities as “fundamentalist” within Western/Anglophone scholarship. This lack of reflexivity risks essentializing religious communities as being opposed to feminist gender ideals when their reactions might reflect more complex underlying reasons, and can also be counterproductive in effectively responding to gender inequalities and women’s abuse in religious societies. This paper proposes that a more intimate engagement with non-western religious traditions grounded in a study of theological teachings and the lived religious experience of specific communities can remedy such tendencies and achieve a better understanding of the nexus of gender, faith, and tradition/modernity in diverse cultural contexts. It illustrates this by drawing key insights from a study of conjugal abuse in an Orthodox Täwahәdo community in Ethiopia that demonstrated intricate associations between understandings of and attitudes toward conjugal abuse and the local religious tradition, the significance of a culture-as-religion discourse in the maintenance of rigid gender norms, and the potential of Orthodox theology to counter ideas about abusiveness that contributed to its implicit tolerance. The paper relates these findings to Ethiopian women activists’ efforts and the multi-religious societal fabric of Ethiopian society to explore the possibilities for integrated responses to intimate partner violence in the country.

Cultural Taboos in Kusunda and Raute People of Nepal

The term taboo refers to the cultural prohibition practices by certain ethnic communities or societies. Its meaning is contextually different according to time, space, and ethnicity. It is the forbidden activities or behaviors and sometimes not accepted by the communities. The various taboos are grounded in traditional norms, values, ethics, or morality and are based on the religious beliefs of that specific community. Most of the ethnic communities of Nepal have specific totems and taboos that act as symbolic identities. This article is based on the cultural taboos of the two endangered ethnic communities of Nepal: Kusunda and Raute. They have some common and specific cultural taboos like the belief in the king of the forest, should not drink milk and should not eat or drink anything put in a milk pot, have the belief in the descendants of the Royal family, etc. This article explains the cultural taboos practiced by Nepal’s Kusunda, & Raute people. This article is based on the fieldwork study carried out on the different parts of Nepal where these people have traditionally inhabited.

Communicating intergenerational justice and climate change: a study of youth-generated environmental discourses

Abstract Awareness of climate change as an intergenerational issue with inequitable risk burden for younger generations is a relatively recent phenomenon. However, youth activists have already managed to come to occupy a meaningful role in climate advocacy. Accepting the invitation to search for positive new discourses to live by, this paper applies a positive discourse analytical lens to the study of the online discourses produced by the youth climate activists of Generation Climate Europe (GCE), the largest coalition of youth-led networks on climate and environmental issues at the European level, examining how GCE newsletters and podcasts use discursive strategies and multimodal resources to communicate their message. The (corpus-assisted) positive discourse analysis of this GCE-produced content revealed that the youth activists designed a complex virtual space brimming with cross-references, intertextuality, and options for its audience that projected an identity for the coalition as a productive, solution-oriented, and agentive organization. The discourses produced by GCE were carefully tailored to a specific interpretive community and they aimed to both claim and impart authority and expertise. GCE’s interactional practices strove to generate wiggle room to resist the status quo and advocate for critical issues such as intergenerational justice and institutional transparency. In disclosing these results, the authors hope to have contributed to understandings of how sustainable climate advocacy is currently being enacted by youth within digital communication across platforms.