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Objectives: The present study aims to examine the hypothetical model of the relationship between food insecurity and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a sample of Iranian adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 275 subjects (18–70 years old) who met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Fatty liver was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography, and eligible patients underwent liver fibro scan assessment to determine fibrosis and steatosis. Food insecurity was assessed using the validated six-item Short Questionnaire of Household Food Security Scale (SQHFSS). Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and IBM SPSS Amos 24.0. Results: Among 275 subjects (44.37 ± 11.67 years old, 51.6% male) included in the analysis, 23.6% were food insecure. Food insecurity, general and abdominal obesity were associated with an increased risk of NAFLD, even after multiple adjustments (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.02, 8.57; OR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.50, 7.11; and OR: 3.81, 95% CI: 1.55, 9.32, respectively). According to the primary hypothesis, food insecurity and NAFLD were fitted into a model (χ2/df = 1.36, GFI = 0.982, AGFI = 0.952, CFI = 0.954, IFI = 0.959, SRMR = 0.040, RMSEA = 0.037); accordingly, food insecurity and obesity (general and abdominal) directly affected NAFLD (β = 0.12, P = 0.03; β = 0.13, P = 0.02; β = 0.31, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Food insecurity was a predictor of, and directly associated with, NAFLD. Social determinants should be considered in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, although the possible underlying biological mechanisms in this association are yet to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prenatal anxiety and depression exert a significant influence on the physiological and psychological health outcomes of both expectant mothers and their infants. The aim of this study was to explore the intrinsic relationships between maternal anxiety, depression in early pregnancy, and their influencing factors. The findings of this study provide scientific basis for developing targeted preventive interventions. Methods: The study involved 887 expectant mothers in the early stages of pregnancy residing in Changsha City from March to August 2022. The sociodemographic characteristics, health and lifestyle factors, and pregnancy-related factors of participants were collected. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models using SPSS 26.0 were used to assess factors impacting early pregnancy anxiety and depression. Amos 23.0 was used to construct a path model to determine the potential pathways of the influencing factors. Results: In early pregnancy, the prevalence of depression and anxiety were 17.4% and 15.8%, respectively. Path analysis showed that early pregnancy anxiety and illness during pregnancy had a direct effect on early pregnancy depression. Anxiety had the greatest overall impact on early pregnancy depression. Education, maternal comorbidities, symptoms of pregnancy, electronic device usage time, work stress, active smoking in the 6 months before pregnancy, and sleep quality were found to solely exert indirect effects on early pregnancy depression. Sleep quality had the greatest overall impact on early pregnancy anxiety. Active smoking in the 6 months before pregnancy, sleep quality, and work stress only had a direct impact on early pregnancy anxiety. Additionally, electronic device usage duration and monthly per capita household income exclusively indirectly impacted symptoms of early pregnancy anxiety. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of targeted interventions in early screening. Avoiding excessive use of electronic devices and active smoking in the 6 months before pregnancy, alleviating work stress and symptoms of pregnancy, increasing education levels and monthly per capita household income, improving sleep quality, and actively preventing illnesses during pregnancy and maternal comorbidities might reduce anxiety and depression in early pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of different typical exogenous salt concentrations on total soil salinity and the growth of Lycium barbarum under brackish water irrigation, and to determine the salinity threshold of irrigated brackish water that is conducive to the normal growth of Lycium barbarum while mitigating soil salinity accumulation. Four typical exogenous salts (NaCl, CaCl2, NaHCO3, Na2SO4) were selected and set at four concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 2.0, 4.0 g L−1) to conduct a field crossover experiments in the downstream region of the Hetao Irrigation District. The results showed that in the same fertility period, the growth rates of new branches, ground diameter, and crown width first increased and then decreased with rising concentrations of NaCl, CaCl2, and Na2SO4, but showed an inverse relationship with NaHCO3 concentrations. Furthermore, increasing salt concentrations linearly reduced the yield of dry fruits from Lycium barbarum and led to a notable accumulation of total soil salts. Utilizing an experimental research approach, a comprehensive analysis of involving multiple growth indices, stable yield, and soil salinity control of Lycium barbarum revealed that optimal growth occurs at salt concentrations of 0.1–0.5 g L−1 for different water quality areas within the irrigation area; using the method of path analysis identified the total soil salt and crown width as the primary direct and indirect factors influencing the yield of Lycium barbarum. The results of this study provide scientific basis and significant theoretical support for the safe and rational utilization of brackish water and cultivation of Lycium barbarum in typical regions with varying saline water qualities of Hetao irrigation area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We draw on (Merton, The Journal of Finance 42:483-510, 1987) to develop predictions for the benefits of voluntary disclosures by firms pursuing an initial public offering (IPO) prior to when they begin providing regulated financial information via their IPO prospectus. We find that voluntarily issuing press releases and attending investor and industry conferences are common disclosure activities prior to filing the IPO prospectus. Consistent with these disclosures enhancing investor awareness, we find positive associations with subsequent information acquisition by prospective investors and the financial press during the IPO filing period. These relations remain significant in tests exploiting the passage of the 2005 Securities Offering Reform as a source of variation in issuers' ability to provide disclosures designed to attract attention from prospective investors. Consistent with pre-prospectus disclosures enhancing the visibility of the firm, we find that, while direct associations between pre-prospectus voluntary disclosures and IPO pricing are limited, there are significant indirect effects operating through filing-period information acquisition by prospective investors and media coverage. We find no evidence that issuers' disclosure activities serve as hype, as the IPO price impact does not reverse post-offering. Overall our evidence is consistent with pre-prospectus voluntary disclosures benefiting issuers by enhancing awareness, which leads to improvements in firm valuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to examine the relations between higher education students' lateral thinking dispositions and inquiry skills. Survey design and Structural Equation Modelling were used in the study. The sampling of the study consisted of 975 prospective teachers attending three faculties of education in three different state universities in Turkey. Inquiry Skills Scale and Lateral Thinking Disposition Scale were used to collect data. The collected data were analysed using R Studio programme. It was observed in the study that students' inquiry skills and lateral thinking dispositions were high. It was revealed in the study that inquiry skills predicted lateral thinking dispositions. Inquiry skills account for 31% of lateral thinking disposition. Thus, it can be concluded that lateral thinking dispositions of higher education students' depend on their inquiry skills at a percentage of 31%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recognizing the established link between social determinants of health, such as social support, good governance, and perceived discrimination, and individual mental health, this study aims to delve deeper into the specific relationships within the Iranian adult population. It seeks to elucidate the potential mediating role of quality of life in the association between mental health disorders (MHDs) and these social factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed path analysis to investigate the relationships between social determinants of health and MHDs among 725 Iranian adults in Tabriz, Northwest Iran. Data collection occurred between March and September 2022, utilizing a multi-stage and cluster sampling approach. Good governance, social support, perceived discrimination, MHDs, and quality of life were assessed using valid questionnaires. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS-24 and Lisrel-8 software, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: This study found that nearly 70.0% of the participants reported experiencing mental health problems. The path analysis showed that good governance had a significant indirect and negative effect on MHDs via quality of life (β = -0.05; P < 0.05). Major racial discrimination had a positive relationship in the direct and indirect paths (β = 0.24; P < 0.01). While, social support was a directly and indirectly significant predictor of decreased MHDs (β = -0.17, p < 0.01). Furthermore, quality of life had a negative relationship on the indirect path with MHDs (β = -0.24, P < 0.01). Conclusions: This study reveals a significant burden of mental health issues among Iranian adults. It highlights the crucial role of social factors like good governance, social support, and perceived discrimination in shaping mental health through their impact on quality of life. Consequently, addressing these factors through improved governance, strengthened social support systems, and active efforts to reduce discrimination is essential for promoting mental well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatiotemporal evolution of vegetation and its influencing factors is crucial for understanding the relationship between vegetation and climate change, which helps guide the management of regional ecosystems effectively. Utilizing the Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) data and various meteorological elements from 1982 to 2021, this research employed methodologies, such as grey relational analysis, path analysis, and the time-lag effect, to examine the impact of climate change on FVC fluctuations. It introduced a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the multi-factor climate–vegetation relationship, enhancing the understanding of the interaction between the climate and vegetation growth. The findings indicate that 77.41% of the wetland vegetation cover in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) has significantly decreased. Precipitation and evapotranspiration emerged as the primary factors affecting FVC, with soil moisture and temperature having a lesser impact. Given the crucial influence of climate factors' time lag on vegetation dynamics, especially the notable cumulative lag effects observed in arid regions, such as precipitation accumulating over approximately 1.963 months (on average) and evapotranspiration lagging by about 1.727 months (on average), this study offers valuable theoretical insights on vegetation restoration efforts amidst the challenges posed by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences is the property of Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: This study aimed to understand the composition and influencing factors of epilepsy patients' hospitalization expenses, thus providing a reference for reducing the disease burden of epilepsy patients in low- and middle-income developing countries. Methods: A total of 4206 hospitalized cases of epilepsy from 2018 to 2020 were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to understand the patient cost composition, path analysis was used to understand the direct and indirect factors of hospitalization expenses. Results: From 2018 to 2020, the average hospitalization expenses for epilepsy patients was 4,299.93 RMB yuan, and the average length of stay was 2.47 days. The highest proportion of hospitalization expenses was diagnosis costs (> 50%), followed by comprehensive medical service costs and drug costs. In terms of the total effect coefficient, the major factors affecting the hospitalization expenses were length of stay (0.880), emergency admission(0.463), and the comorbidities and complications(> 0.250). Hospital length of stay, discharge mode(death) and number of hospitalizations(2 times) affect hospitalization expenses through direct effect. Long-term hospitalization (> 30 days), admission routes(emergency), the comorbidities and complications, presence of drug allergy, and age also affect hospitalization expenses through indirect effects. Conclusion: Diagnosis costs and length of stay are important factors affecting the medical expenses of epilepsy inpatients. In general, the quality control of the hospital is good, but it still needs to standardize the diagnosis and treatment behavior of medical staff through the clinical path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most valuable crops is black gram, which has a high nutritional value, a short growing season and is suitable for many different farming systems. This study aims to evaluate the high harvest index urdbean varieties using path analysis in various crop spacing under rainfed conditions in Tamil Nadu. Methods: The experiments was carried out during three consecutive years (2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 20218-2019) of Kharif season at Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Virinjipuram, Tamil Nadu. The experiments was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Result: The pooled results of three years revealed that the urdbean variety VBN (Bg) 6 had the maximum seed yield of 691 kg ha-1, whereas MDU 1 had the lowest seed yield of 536 kg ha-1. When compared to other crop spacing, 20 cm x 10 cm had the maximum seed output of 683 kg ha-1. The ideal plant spacing of 20 cm x 10 cm enhanced seed production by 38.0 percent and harvest index by 16 per cent when compared to the advised crop spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To understand the compliance, influencing factors, and action path of family cardiac rehabilitation exercise prescriptions for children after congenital heart disease surgery. Methods and results A random sampling method was used to select 200 paediatric patients and their parents from a paediatric hospital in Shanghai. Among them, 57 cases (28.5%) of children's families followed the cardiac rehabilitation exercise prescription. Path analysis showed that peak oxygen uptake exerted a negative impact on the compliance of family cardiac-rehabilitation prescriptions for patients after congenital heart disease surgery through doctor–patient trust, with a standardized path coefficient of −0.246 (P = 0.001). Disease-related knowledge exerted a positive effect on the compliance of family cardiac-rehabilitation prescriptions for children after congenital heart surgery through doctor–patient trust, with a standardized path coefficient of 0.353 (P < 0.001). The dimension of friend support in social support had a direct positive effect on the compliance of family cardiac-rehabilitation prescriptions for children after cardiac surgery, with a standardized path coefficient of 0.641 (P = 0.006). Conclusion The compliance of cardiac rehabilitation exercise prescription in children with congenital heart disease is not good and is affected by many factors, and there is a complex path relationship between various factors; the kilogram oxygen consumption of the child, the disease-related knowledge of the caregiver, and social support all play important roles in the compliance of the child's family's health prescription. Registration ChiCTR2200062022 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the planet confronts today and is predicted to continue to face in the future. It is one of the greatest threats to humanity, seriously affecting human health, the natural environment, and security. This research aims to investigate the factors related to the perception of Greek citizens regarding climate change and green development and the obstacles that exist in Greece in the transition to enhanced green growth. For this reason, four cases related to communication and education, energy, actions to protect the environment, and each one's responsibility were investigated. Data were collected through a survey (structured questionnaire) of 745 respondents in the regional unit of the Greek city of Larissa with an overall response rate of 69% and analyzed through a combination of factor and path analysis. The results show that communication, actions related to environmental protection, and energy-saving actions are the ones that have significant associations with the goal of green development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine pathways from child abuse to school adjustment and the roles of self-control and academic stress on the link among North Korean adolescent refugees living in South Korea and native South Korean adolescents. A total of 610 students (adolescents from South Korea = 325 and adolescents from North Korea = 285) living in South Korea, from juniors in middle schools to seniors in high schools, were interviewed in 2017. Multigroup structural equation modeling was used to examine differences in the country of origin on the pathways from abuse to school adjustment via self-control and academic stress. North Korean adolescent refugees were less likely to adjust to their school life than South Korean adolescents. Academic stress was found as a significant mediator between self-control and school adjustment in both South Korean and North Korean adolescents. Child abuse was associated with self-control of South Korean adolescents. Childhood abuse from parents can have an overall influence on individual characteristics and school life for adolescents. By paying attention to this process, comprehensive solutions are urgently required not only to intervene in the problem of abusive parenting behaviors but also to block the path of the expanding negative consequences among both groups of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Continue Education Research is the property of Harbin Normal University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Existing literature based on Social Cognitive Theory has established key environmental and cognitive variables related to problem drinking in emerging adults, but further research is needed to understand the interaction between these variables. The aim of this study was to extend understanding of how environmental and cognitive variables interact to influence problem drinking among emerging adults. We hypothesized that cognitive factors of alcohol outcome expectancies (AOEs) and drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) would sequentially mediate the relationship between environmental factors (perceived parental/peer drinking) and problem drinking. A sample of 984 Australian emerging adults (M age = 20.55, SD = 2.19, range: 18–25) completed an online survey including measures of demographics, substance use, environmental variables (perceived drinking by parents/peers), and cognitive variables (AOEs and DRSE). This study employed a cross-sectional design. Path analysis was used to identify indirect pathways for the relationship between environmental factors and drinking behaviour, through cognitive variables. In line with the predicted model, the relationship between parental drinking and problem drinking was sequentially mediated by AOEs, and then DRSE. Participants with heavier drinking parents reported higher AOEs (positive and negative), which related to having lower DRSE, and higher problem drinking. Similarly, the positive relationship between peer drinking and problem drinking was mediated by having higher positive and negative expectancies, but contrary to predictions, DRSE did not mediate these pathways. This study extends on previous research by revealing novel pathways between environmental influences for drinking behaviour, via social cognitive factors that are conducive to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine best fit model of pedagogical competence of mother tongue based-multilingual (MTB-MLE) teachers as estimated by organizational climate, self-efficacy, and work tasks motivation among public elementary schools in Region XI, Philippines. It was conducted from August to December 2022. The study used quantitative, non-experimental research design using correlational technique and path analysis. The 400 teachers among public elementary schools were determined using the stratified sampling procedure. Mean, Pearson r, and path analysis were used as statistical tools. Moreover, adapted survey questionnaires were used. The result shows that the level organizational climate of MTB-MLE teachers was high while the levels of self-efficacy, work tasks motivation and pedagogical competence of MTB-MLE teachers were very high. Further, when each exogenous variable is correlated to pedagogical competence of MTB-MLE teachers, results showed that organizational climate, selfefficacy, and work tasks motivation were significantly correlated with the pedagogical competence of MTB-MLE teachers. Model 3 came out as the best-fit path model that predicts the pedagogical competence of MTB-MLE teachers. The model showed that self-efficacy and work tasks motivation have direct effect on pedagogical competence while organizational climate has indirect effect on pedagogical competence of MTB-MLE teachers. This implies that schools may enhance their professional development programs by focusing on teachers’ ability in MTB-MLE instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the impact of a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis and other factors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women of reproductive age. Online questionnaires were completed and study groups compared. Potential causal relationships were evaluated using path analysis. Analyses revealed that a PCOS diagnosis alongside BMI had the largest effect on HRQoL. Higher levels of physical activity (PA) were not associated with greater HRQoL, and PA was not directly affected by any other outcome. However, reduced self-esteem was identified as a key factor in the promotion of physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study applied the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to assess trust in artificial intelligence (AI) within the US commercial aviation industry. It found that ease of use and usefulness positively influenced attitudes toward AI, impacting users' intention to use it. However, perceived usefulness did not significantly affect meaning, purpose, and mood positively correlated with trust in AI. In some cases, higher perceived usefulness led to lower trust, indicating the complexity of trust in AI in aviation. This study highlights the importance of trust in AI and suggests the need for further investigation in the aviation context. It also recommends expanding the framework of trustworthy AI to consider factors like algorithm transparency, explainability, and fairness for a more comprehensive understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect herbivores can directly affect plant reproduction by feeding on reproductive tissues, or indirectly by feeding on vegetative tissues for which plants are unable to compensate. Additionally, early arriving herbivores may have cascading effects on plant reproduction by altering the later arriving community. However, the dynamic interplay between plant development and the assembly of herbivore communities remains underexplored. Hence, it is unclear whether non‐outbreak levels of ambient herbivory early in the development of plants can impact plant fitness and to what extent these effects are mediated through changes in plant development and subsequent herbivory.By excluding the herbivore community in an exclosure experiment and by manipulating early‐season herbivory in a common garden field experiment replicated across four Brassicaceae species and 2 years, we tested whether early‐season herbivory by caterpillars (Pieris rapae) or aphids (Myzus persicae) affected development, reproduction, and the herbivore communities associated with individual plants. In addition, we tested a causal hypothesis to assess the relative importance and temporal interplay between variation in herbivore communities and variation in plant development in determining plant reproduction.Early‐season herbivory affected plant reproduction in the exclosure experiment, with effects being highly dependent on the plant species, the herbivore species and the year. However, we found no such effects in the field experiment. The exploratory path analysis indicated that variation in plant reproduction is best predicted by variation in plant development, explaining 80% of the total effect on seed production. This suggests early‐season herbivory had limited effects on later plant development, and plants were able to attenuate the impact of early‐season herbivory. However, no clear compensatory mechanism could be identified.While early‐season herbivory has the potential to affect plant reproduction through changes in plant development or the subsequent development of the associated community, these effects were small and varied across closely related species. This suggests that plant species may be exposed to different levels of natural selection by early‐season herbivores through plant‐ or community‐mediated effects on reproduction. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Haihe Plain in China is situated in the world's largest groundwater funnel area, with per capita water resources far below the internationally recognized "extremely water-scarce" standard. To address the issue of water shortage in summer maize-planting areas of the Haihe Plain, we conducted research on the variation of summer maize evapotranspiration using a medium-sized lysimeter. This study aims to provide technical support for water-saving irrigation in summer maize fields. Through path analysis, direct and indirect influencing factors affecting the evapotranspiration of summer maize fields were determined. The results showed that the cumulative evapotranspiration of bare ground and farmland during the entire growth period of summer maize was 173.57 mm and 382.97 mm, respectively, with evapotranspiration intensities of 1.52 mm/d and 3.36 mm/d, respectively. Evapotranspiration during the maturity stage of summer maize was the least, accounting for only 1.82% of total evapotranspiration during the entire growth period. The period from the jointing to milk-ripening stage is when evapotranspiration in maize fields is at its highest. During this period, evapotranspiration in maize fields amounted to 265.58 mm, accounting for 69.35% of total evapotranspiration. The evapotranspiration intensity was 3.59 mm/day, which is 1.34 times higher than that of bare soil. The evapotranspiration intensities during each growth stage were ranked as jointing stage > tasseling-silking stage > seedling stage > milk maturity stage > maturity stage. The daily evapotranspiration of summer maize fields showed a "unimodal" curve with low values in the morning and evening, and high values at noon. Path analysis indicated that daily radiation and maximum daily temperature had the greatest impact on the evapotranspiration of maize fields, with the direct effect of maximum daily temperature being restrictive and the indirect effect being promotive, resulting in an overall promotive effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pigeon pea is an economical source of protein cultivated in arid and semi arid tropical areas of the world. Genetic improvement mainly depends upon the amount of genetic variability available in the population. It is necessary for a breeder to understand the extent of genotypic and phenotypic variation among the germplasm to design an effective breeding programme. Methods: Eighty pigeon pea genotypes were evaluated for their variability with regard to yield and yield contributing traits. The experiment was carried out at Regional Research Station, Paiyur during 2021-2022 following randomized block design with two replications. Result: The traits viz., plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and single plant yield can be improved following simple selection method as they exhibited high variability in combination with high heritability and genetic advance. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed three significant principal components (PCs), which accounted for 81.24% of phenotypic variation among the studied genotypes. The traits days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and hundred seed weight had significantly positive association and positive direct effect with yield. Hence, these traits can be used as good selection criteria for yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placeness is believed to play a significant role in enhancing the well-being and place-use of individuals, contributing profoundly to how spaces are experienced and interacted with. Despite its perceived importance, there is ongoing debate and insufficient clarity about how exactly placeness influences people's behavior. This study aims to bridge this gap by theorizing and investigating the pathways from placeness to people's behavioral intentions, emphasizing the roles of personal place attachment and public place image as pivotal mediators in this relationship. To explore these dynamics, we conducted a survey in Japan, examining the complex interplay between placeness and behavioral intentions, given their rich cultural heritage and modern urban pressures. We employed the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach for path analysis. The analysis suggests that placeness influences behavioral intention through personal place attachment. While placeness does affect public place image, this public image does not have an impact on behavioral intention. The results demonstrated that an individual's activities, experiences, and cognition of a place are significant factors in creating the intention to engage in word-of-mouth, recommendation, and revisiting behaviors. Policymakers, urban planners, and designers need to understand how to foster people's behavioral intentions when creating a place imbued with placeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This descriptive-correlational research aimed to examine the predictive and mediational role of parental support, classroom environment, value, attitude, and anxiety in the perception towards teaching mathematics as a profession of mathematically talented male senior high school learners. One hundred eighteen learners from purposively selected public and private schools in Iloilo City and in the districts of the province of Iloilo participated in the study. Six adapted instruments were used to gather data, which underwent content validation and reliability testing. Means, frequency, standard deviations, Pearson's product-moment correlations, Multiple Linear Regression and Path Analysis, were the statistical tools used. Results revealed that mathematically talented male learners have moderate parental support, a positive classroom environment, a very useful value of mathematics, a strongly positive attitude, low anxiety, and a moderately high perception towards teaching mathematics. When classified according to parental support, learners who received moderate and high parental support outscored learners with low parental support in their attitude towards mathematics and perception towards teaching mathematics. Also, learners in the positive group outperformed learners in the slightly positive group in their attitude towards mathematics when classified according to the classroom environment. Parental support, value, and attitude can directly predict the perception towards teaching mathematics, but not classroom environment and anxiety. Moreover, parental support, value and attitude were partially mediated while classroom environment was completely mediated on the influence the perception towards teaching Mathematics by the other constructs included in the model. Furthermore, the classroom environment influences the perception towards teaching mathematics. Parental support has the highest contribution in predicting the perception towards teaching mathematics. In conclusion, these findings indicated that parental support has the biggest attribution in predicting mathematically talented male learners' perceptions towards teaching mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic contaminant posing serious ecological and human health risks. This study investigates the Hg transfer characteristics and prediction models in a soil–lettuce system, employing bioconcentration factors (BCF), path analysis (PA), and Freundlich-type functions. A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, where lettuce was grown in a range of Chinese agricultural soils (n = 21) and deliberately spiked with Hg using Hg(NO3)2 solution. The results indicated that lettuce grown in Hg-spiked acidic soils (pH < 6.5) accumulated total Hg (THg) levels up to 14.01 µg kg−1, surpassing the safe consumption limit of 10 µg kg−1. The BCF for lettuce THg was less than 1.0, suggesting a low transfer of Hg from soil to lettuce. Notably, BCF values were significantly higher in acidic soils (0.02) compared to alkaline soils (0.005). Path analysis accounted for 82% of the variation in lettuce THg content, identifying soil THg, pH, and amorphous (Amo) Al and Fe oxides as primary direct factors. Additionally, soil-available Hg (AvHg), exchangeable Hg (ExHg), clay, and organic matter (OM) were significant indirect factors affecting lettuce THg content. To validate the findings of the path analysis, an extended Freundlich-type equation was developed using stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR). This model exhibited high predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.82, p ≤ 0.001), with soil pH, THg, and amorphous Al and Fe oxides being the key variables for predicting Hg transfer in the soil–lettuce system. The insights from this study can guide the management of safe lettuce production in Hg-contaminated soils, ensuring the mitigation of Hg exposure through agricultural produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freemium model, a business model that provides basic functions for free and makes a profit by providing advanced functions at a premium, has been widely adopted in various industries. To acquire enough customers and generate revenues from the freemium model, the proper allocation of free and premium functions is essential, but little research has been done in this direction. This study proposes a two-stage approach that combines the Kano model and the technology acceptance model (TAM) as a conceptual design method of freemium services. First, Kano analysis is performed to divide the functions of services into three types, must-be, one-dimensional, and attractive functions. The must-be functions are regarded as free functions, and low and high-level one-dimensional functions are classified as free and premium functions, respectively. Then, we perform path analysis based on TAM to identify additional premium functions that affect willingness to pay. We allocate free and premium functions of personal cloud service using the proposed approach and compare the results with the current functions of Dropbox, One Drive, and Google Drive. The proposed two-stage approach is expected to be practically used for designing service concepts based on the freemium business model in various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of exchange rate ($) and energy (oil) prices on livestock product (red meat, milk, eggs) and input (feed) prices in Türkiye through Path Analysis. The material of this study consisted of monthly average exchange rate and energy prices vs. fattening feed, milk feed, and egg feed prices, and producer prices of red meat, milk, and eggs for the years 2010-2023. According to the findings of this study, one unit increase in the exchange rate resulted in a total increase of 0.98, 0.99 and 0.98 units in the prices of fattening, milk and egg feed, respectively; a total increase of 0.93, 0.98 and 0.97 units in red meat, milk and egg prices, respectively (P<0.05). It was determined that a one unit increase in energy prices caused a total increase of 0.09, 0.09 and 0.11 units in fattening, milk and egg feed prices, respectively (P<0.05). However, energy prices did not affect livestock product prices (P>0.05). As a result, it has been observed that the exchange rate affects, particularly, input and livestock product prices, whereas energy prices affect only input costs in Türkiye. Therefore, it is thought that reducing external dependence on energy and upward fluctuations in exchange rates will make significant contributions to the reduction of input costs and product prices in animal husbandry, increase consumption rates and profitability of producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Southwest China Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Editorial Department of Southwest China Journal of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research has pointed to myriad cultural and socio-psychological factors associated with HIV testing, such as acculturation, social norms about HIV testing, masculinity, homonegativity, and constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior. However, the interrelationships of these factors on the intentions of HIV testing among the population of Asian American men remains unknown. A dataset of 425 Asian American men in the U.S., collected online with convenience sampling method during 2020–2021, was analyzed to test a conceptual framework that aimed to fill this gap. Results from a path model with two endogenous variables (homonegativity and HIV testing intention) indicated that perceived social norms about HIV testing, attitude about HIV testing, and perceived HIV risk had directandindirect relationships with the intentions of HIV testing in the study population. However, social norms about HIV testing and perceived HIV risk showed stronger direct effects (standardized estimates = 0.37 and 0.34, respectively, p-value < 0.001). Additionally, we found that the relationships of these factors with HIV testing intention were also mediated by homonegativity. Findings from this study advance our understanding of pathways of associations between a host of cultural and socio-psychological factors with HIV testing intention among an understudied population – Asian American men. Our results will help inform the development of future intervention programs to increase HIV testing in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of community-dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the specific underlying mechanisms of the determinants associated with SB remain elusive. We aimed to explore the determinants of SB based on the behavior change wheel framework as well as a literature review. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 489 community-dwelling older adults with T2DM in Jinan City, Shandong Province, China. Convenience sampling was used to select participants from relevant communities. This study used the Measure of Older Adults' Sedentary Time-T2DM, the Abbreviated-Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Lubben Social Network Scale 6, the Subjective Social Norms Questionnaire for Sedentary Behavior, the Functional Activities Questionnaire, the Numerical Rating Scale, the Short Physical Performance Battery, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Text to assess the levels of and the determinants of SB. Descriptive statistical analysis and path analysis were conducted to analyze and interpret the data. Results: Pain, cognitive function, social isolation, and social support had direct and indirect effects on SB in community-dwelling older adults with T2DM (total effects: β = 0.426, β = -0.171, β = -0.209, and β = -0.128, respectively), and physical function, walking environment, and social function had direct effects on patients' SB (total effects: β = -0.180, β = -0.163, and β = 0.127, respectively). All the above pathways were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The path analysis showed that the model had acceptable fit indices: RMSEA = 0.014, χ 2/df = 1.100, GFI = 0.999, AGFI = 0.980, NFI = 0.997, RFI = 0.954, IFI = 1.000, TLI = 0.996, CFI = 1.000. Conclusion: Capability (physical function, pain, and cognitive function), opportunity (social isolation, walking environment, and social support), and motivation (social function) were effective predictors of SB in community-dwelling older adults with T2DM. Deeper knowledge regarding these associations may help healthcare providers design targeted intervention strategies to decrease levels of SB in this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to investigate the relationship between specific quantitative characters and sugarcane yield at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Pusa, Bihar, in February 2022. Thirty sugarcane seedlings obtained from three different crosses along with check were subjected to estimation trait association by correlation and path analyses. Cane yield showed strong positive and highly significant correlation with single cane weight, number of millable canes per clump and brix percent at 12th month. There was also positive significant correlation of number of shoots per clump with cane yield. Path analysis revealed the highest positive direct effect of brix percent at 12th month on cane yield followed by brix percent at 10th month and cane diameter. However, number of shoots per clump had considerable negative direct effects and indirect positive effects through single cane weight and number of millable canes per clump on cane yield. The traits that provide considerable positive correlation and positive direct effects to cane yield could be used as selection indices for yield improvement in for further clonal generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A panel of 25 nutmeg genotypes were evaluated at the Horticulture Research Station, Pechiparai, Kanyakumari district from 2019 to 2022 for the pattern of genetic divergence and relationship among them based on seven morphological traits by cluster and path analysis. Notable difference was observed for yield characteristics of genotypes, in which the genotype MF-4 was observed to record high plant height, stem girth, leaf length and fruit production. Genetic variability analysis revealed that traits such as stem girth, number of fruits and mace yield/tree were found to possess high genotypic coefficient of variation along with high heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean which implied that these traits had higher variability among the studied genotypes. The 25 genotypes were grouped in to four clusters based on cluster analysis. Path analysis revealed that traits such as number of fruits, single fruit weight and plant height had a favourable direct impact on the mace yield. These traits might be used as selection indicators in future breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Character association and genetic diversity analyses were performed in the present study for the morphological and yield traits of Nerium oleander L. accessions to find out the major contributing traits towards flower yield. A panel of 20 diverse nerium accessions were evaluated at the Floriculture Research Station, Thovalai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu during 2018 to 2022. Correlation analysis revealed that number of flowers per spikes had highly significant and positive correlation with flower yield. From the path analysis, the number of flowers per spike, days for bud initiation, flower weight, plant height and number of shoots/plants were identified to have high positive direct effect on flower yield. Clustering of nerium germplasm, revealed two distinct groups. Cluster I, comprising NI-1 to NI-19, suggested shared genetic traits among them, while Cluster II, represented by NI-20, showcases unique attributes. High intercluster distance between Cluster I and Cluster II suggested that the genotypes in these clusters had a significant degree of genetic diversity between them and that crossings between the genotypes in the cluster I with NI-20 would produce desirable transgressive segregants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of South China Fisheries Science is the property of South China Fisheries Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To investigate whether the association between hearing difficulties and self-reported memory problems is mediated by physical health and psychosocial wellbeing. A cross-sectional study. Path analyses were used to test potential theoretical models (psychosocial-cascade, common cause) of the association between hearing difficulties and memory problems, adjusting for age. A sample of 479 adults (18–87 years) completed self-reported outcome measures. Half the participants reported clinically significant hearing difficulties and 30% self-reported memory problems. In the direct model, reporting hearing difficulties was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting memory problems (β = 0.17, p = 0.007, 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] = 0.00, 0.01). Hearing difficulties were also associated with poorer physical health, but this did not mediate the association with memory. Psychosocial factors, however, fully mediated the relationship between hearing difficulties and memory problems (β = 0.03, p = 0.019, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.01). Adults with hearing difficulties may be more likely to self-report memory problems, irrespective of age. This study supports the psychosocial-cascade model, as the association between self-reported hearing and memory problems was explained entirely by psychosocial factors. Future studies should investigate these associations using behavioural measures, as well as explore whether interventions can reduce the risk of developing memory problems in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the total contribution of servant leadership variables directly or indirectly to the innovative work behavior of high school teachers. The research respondents were 158 teachers from Jakarta Capital Special Region, Bogor Regency, Bekasi City, and Bandung Regency, Indonesia. Data analysis technique using path analysis. The results showed that the total direct and indirect contribution of servant leadership variables to innovative work behavior through knowledge sharing was 97.3%. The remaining 2.7% comes from variables not examined in this study. The implications of this research can be used by school principals and education policymakers at the national and regional levels to strengthen servant leadership to create knowledge sharing in strengthening the innovative work behavior of teachers in senior high schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to quantitatively identify the factors associated with companies that actively enhance the feasibility of public–private partnerships (PPP) during disasters. Based on these identified relationships, the study seeks to propose strategies to improve PPP effectiveness in proactive companies. A questionnaire survey was conducted targeting companies in Japan that have concluded disaster assistance agreements with local governments. Based on the response data, scales were constructed for the following variables: "feasibility of public–private agreements (FPPA)," "experience in implementing public–private agreements (EPPA)," "social contribution to disaster-stricken area," "implementation level of disaster risk reduction measures," "feasibility of business continuity," "organizational culture toward risk and crisis (OCRC)," and "employee autonomy (EA)." Path analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between FPPA and other variables. The results revealed that FPPA is associated with EPPA, EA, and OCRC. In terms of strategies to improve FPPA, it was suggested to promote the internal sharing of information about EPPA from other companies. Additionally, for EA and OCRC, implementing human resource policies and management practices was discussed as potential measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study links social capital with people's health and well-being using data from the seventh wave of the World Value Survey, logistic regression, and path analysis. The study's findings show that happiness and life satisfaction are two different measures of the same construct, or well-being. The determinants of each are also characterised differently: while life satisfaction is more of a stable and relative measure and is more strongly influenced by civic cooperation, social participation, and educational attainment, happiness is more of an unstable measure and is more strongly influenced by community belonging, trust and confidence aggregates, including employment and location of residence of an individual. Moreover, freedom of choice, financial satisfaction or social comparison, and state of health were the most important factors influencing happiness and life satisfaction. The findings also show that self-reported health (SRH) has a greater impact on happiness than a measure of life satisfaction. Path analysis shows out of the three other components of social capital—community belonging, civic engagement, and social participation—trust and confidence aggregates are the ones that have the biggest impact on increased social capital. For both well-being measures, SRH mediated the relationship. The life satisfaction measure had a higher level of mediation of SRH than happiness, but social capital had a smaller direct impact on life satisfaction than on happiness. SRH was found to be partially mediating this relationship for both happiness and life satisfaction measures, which means that people with higher social capital reported feeling better off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural equation modelling (SEM) needs to be a multivariate technique found increasingly in scientific investigations to test and evaluate multivariate techniques of the social determinants of health in urban settings. This analysis can help and guide clinical policy decision- making for the use of future chikungunya vaccines for residents of affected areas. The dimensions of the environment influence the health status of individuals and populations. The version specification defines the hypothesized relationship of the various variables in a SEM primarily based totally on one’s knowledge. The techniques of analysis of moment structure software package and path analysis with structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. A multivariate statistical technique ‘factor analysis’ was used to identify the major dimensions of chikungunya-affected wards. From the Z score mapping of the results, both primary and secondary data have been analyzed using suitable statistical techniques and cartographic tools to verify the hypotheses. The primary survey conducted was based on the method of stratified random sampling and a total of 600 samples were collected. The study has shown that by integrating spatial analysis using a Geographical information system (GIS) the distribution of fever cases within a particular area. This study concludes that the four factors: living environment, utilization of drinking water, infrastructure, and healthcare management are the major determinants for the cause of chikungunya in Madurai city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine school principals' tendencies and practices that bring forth innovative ideas for school improvement. School principals (N = 124) responded to a survey, which included an open-ended question, on their innovative practices toward school improvement. With the Innovator's DNA framework as a basis for generating innovation for school improvement, path analysis was used to assess how well school principals' thinking and practices aligned with the framework. School principals believed it was important to help generate innovation through idea networking, being open-minded, and challenging the status quo. However, through path analysis, school principals' improvement areas associated with the Innovator's DNA framework were identified. School systems should help principals develop innovative problem-solving skills for school improvement by applying the Innovator's DNA framework in their professional development opportunities. More research is needed that examines if and how school systems foster school innovation leadership for principals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge about the relationship between yield and the yield contributing characters can help breeders to effectively select for the characters that can efficiently increase yield. The present investigation studies correlation and path coefficient analysis in soybean. Methods: 30 genotypes of soybean were obtained from Agriculture Research Station (ARS), Kasbe Digraj, Sangli and sown in a randomised block design with three replications. Eleven characters were observed viz., days to 50% flowering, nodulation count per plant at 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, branches per plant, pods per plant, 100 seed weight, pod blight incidence, seed yield per plant, protein and oil content. Result: The correlation analysis revealed that seed yield per plant showed highly significant positive correlation with pods per plant (0.8471), followed by 100 seed weight (0.4087) and branches per plant (0.2836). The characters protein content (-0.1600) and days to maturity (-0.1566) showed negative and non-significant association with seed yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis showed that the characters pods per plant (0.8612), 100 seed weight (0.2476) and days to 50% flowering (0.2333) had high to moderate positive direct effect on seed yield per plant. Days to maturity (-0.0758) had negative direct effect on seed yield per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of sixteen diverse genotypes including 14 open-pollinated seedling selections of parent cultivars 'Riana' and 'Serena' was conducted for two years 2019–2021 under sub-temperate conditions of western Himalayas. The study was aimed at assessing the genetic variability among the diverse genotypes of alstroemeria. Characters such as umbel: (length of branches), flower: (length of pedicel) and weight of cut stem exhibited high genotypic coefficient of variability. All sixteen parameters recorded high heritability estimates. Traits such as plant height, length of cut stem, number of days taken to bud formation, weight of cut stem and number of days taken to flowering demonstrated high heritability and genetic advance. Positive phenotypic correlations were observed between yield characters and traits such as leaf length, length of cut stem, umbel: number of branches, flower size, and stem thickness. Characters such as weight of cut stem, leaf length, flower: length of pedicel, vase life, leaf width, flower size, number of days taken to bud formation, stem thickness, length of cut stem, number of days taken to flowering and umbel: length of branches showed a positive direct effect on the number of flowering shoots per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life satisfaction has become an important indicator for understanding the welfare level of countries, particularly today when immigration is increasing for various reasons such as war and the desire for better living conditions, good job opportunities, and high-quality education. This study investigates the life satisfaction of people who have left their community and established a new life at the expense of being a foreigner and a member of a minority community. In this study, the data of people living in Europewere used. Since the dominant religion in Europe is Christianity, Muslims are considered a minority. The study selects Islam as one of the minority religions in Europe and examines whether the life satisfaction of people who state that they are Muslim differs from that of non-minority Christians. For this purpose, ten countries with Muslim minorities were selected from the data of the European Social Survey (ESS). The life satisfaction of two groups, Muslim minority and Christians, was analyzed through a path model, which consists of socio-economic indicators, and the trust component, using the path analysis method. Age, income, interpersonal trust, and governmental trust indicators were significant variables in both groups. Unexpectedly, religiosity was shown to have a positive effect on life satisfaction only for the Christian group and had no significant effect for the Muslim minority group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving supply chain management performance is one of the critical issues to gaining a competitive advantage for companies. In this regard, one of the valuable solutions is the lean approach. A lean approach helps eliminate supply chain waste. On the other hand, considering the existence of the automobile industry in Iran and the presence of many parts manufacturing industries to meet the needs of automobile manufacturers, the implementation of the lean approach in the supply chain of organizations active in this field is essential and creates a competitive advantage in them. At first, by reviewing the literature, eight key factors that cause the supply chain to be clean were identified, and 40 supply chain experts were assisted using a questionnaire. The normality of the data distribution was examined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The main result of this study was the pattern of factors affecting the purity of the supply chain in the automotive parts industry. This model includes the leveling of factors affecting the supply chain, which provides managers with a comprehensive view and attitude about the relationships between these variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses the panel quantile regression model and conducts path analysis to examine the impact of inter-provincial digital economy development in China on carbon emission reduction. Results reveal several key points: First, the impact of digital economy development on carbon emission reduction varies significantly across quantiles; it can promote or inhibit emissions and shows an inverted "U" relationship. Second, the inhibition effect of the digital economy on carbon emissions is significantly stronger than the growth effect. Third, more than half of the studied regions show an inhibitory effect of the digital economy on carbon emissions, primarily through indirect impact paths. Among these paths, the three most significant ones are the improvement of urbanization level, resident affluence level, and per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Policy recommendations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bionomics of an insect and metabolic flux of the host plant are important tools to decipher the status of plant resistance against insect species. This study illuminates vital information on aphid‐induced levels of phytochemicals in the siliquae of Brassica juncea cultivars and their effect on host selection and population growth parameters of Lipaphis erysimi. The current study unveiled that the siliquae preference, intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), gross reproductive rate (GRR) and net reproductive rate (R0) were significantly lower on Pusa Mustard 27, DRMR 150‐35, RLC 3, NRCHB 101, Pusa Mustard 26 and Pusa Mustard 25. However, the mean generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) of L. erysimi were significantly longer (p < 0.001) in these genotypes. These cultivars were also found with elevated levels of aphid‐induced phytochemicals and their associated enzymes, except in a few cases. Total antioxidants, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power, chlorophyll A, total chlorophyll, ascorbate oxidase (AO), catalase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and myrosinase were found to contribute 49.18–85.30% variation for siliquae preference and bionomics of L. erysimi on the test B. juncea cultivars. The study revealed that phenols, antioxidants, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, total carotenoids, AO, ascorbate peroxidase, PAL, tyrosine ammonia lyase and myrosinase had significant and negative direct consequences on the siliquae preference and bionomics, thus can be exploited as biochemical markers to identify sources of resistance against L. erysimi. Furthermore, DRMR 150‐35, NRCHB 101, RLC 3, Pusa mustard 26, RH 749 and Pusa Mustard 27 were found with greater aphid‐induced defence phytochemicals and detrimental effects on the host selection and bionomics of L. erysimi, thus can be deployed in Brassica improvement program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet is one of the major food crops, particularly grown in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. This study aimed to determine correlation and path analysis for morpho-phenological and yield contributing traits along with grain micronutrients (Fe and Zn) in 184 advanced breeding lines and four checks viz., ICMV-221 (NC), ICTP-8203 (NC), VPMV-9 (LC) and Dhanashakti (NC), were assessed using Augmented Block Design during kharif 2021–22 at two locations viz., Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur and Agricultural Research Station, Mudhol. Analysis of Variance indicated the existence of sufficient variation in the material studied. The traits like 1000 grain weight, dry fodder yield, plant height, panicle girth and panicle length had significant and positive phenotypic correlation with grain yield. There was a highly significant and high positive correlation between the Fe and Zn content. These results would imply that simultaneous selection for high levels of both Fe and Zn content is possible. The path analysis indicated that the traits viz., 1000 grain weight, dry fodder yield, panicle girth and plant height had high and positive direct effects on grain yield. This indicates that grain yield can be improved through direct selection by these characters. Strong association of these traits revealed that the selection based on these traits would ultimately improve the yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saudi Medical Journal is the property of Saudi Medical Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Worldwide, many invasive plant species are garden escapees. While weed risk assessment can identify new plant introductions with weedy potential, it does not address the large number of non-native plant species already present in many regions, the majority of which are horticultural species. Here we evaluate the drivers of plant naturalisation success using historical data on the horticultural woody species planted in Canberra, Australia. Canberra provides a unique opportunity to study plant naturalisation as it is a planned city with extensive horticultural plantings originating from government nurseries that kept extensive records documenting the planting efforts from the city's inception. We identified factors linked to naturalisation success in 1439 horticultural, woody, non-native species planted in Canberra over 150 years by fitting univariate and multivariate regression models, and identified both direct and indirect effects using path analysis in a Bayesian framework. We found species were more likely to naturalise with greater planting effort, longer residence time, smaller seeds and dispersal mechanisms linked to wind and animal vectors. Cold-hardy and tall plants were also more likely to naturalise, although cold hardiness and height mostly affected naturalisation success indirectly via planting effort. These findings can aid in generating quantitative risk assessment models to predict woody garden species that would naturalise and pose the greatest risk of becoming invasive in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]