Search

illus

Rapid urbanisation in low- and middle-income countries, which has encroached on agricultural lands but has not been consistently accompanied by corresponding improvements in water and sanitation services, has raised questions about its impact on the food and nutrition security of households living in transitional, peri-urban areas. Through an analysis of survey data collected from 518 households living around the town of Eldoret, Kenya, we investigate the existing links between peri-urban households’ engagement in agriculture, their dietary behaviour, and their children’s nutrition outcomes. We find that peri-urban households engaged in agriculture, particularly in crop growing and in the sales of their agricultural produce, have more diverse and nutritious diets than agriculturally non-engaged households, all other things being equal. However, a significant improvement in children’s health outcomes is observed in these households only when coupled with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions.

Trillium is a native North American perennial herb that requires patience to grow. It takes about four years for the plant to bloom, but once it does, it will reliably bloom every spring for over a decade. Trillium has three photosynthetic bracts, three sepals, and three petals, and it comes in various colors. It is best paired with other woodland plants and prefers shade or part sun. Trillium is an indicator species of healthy soil and has cultural significance, but it is also under threat due to human development and white-tailed deer. It is not recommended to pick trillium in the wild, as it can harm the plant's ability to photosynthesize. Instead, it is best to grow trillium from seeds or by dividing the rhizomes. Trillium reminds us that good things take time and that a gardener's clock does not always follow nature's schedule. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of gardens in long-term care homes, highlighting the positive impact they have on residents' well-being. Through interviews with horticultural therapists and caregivers, the value of gardens in providing a therapeutic and sensory experience for residents is emphasized. The article also touches on the need for inclusive and accessible garden spaces in LTC facilities, showcasing initiatives like the JASMA Healthcare Planter to ensure all residents can benefit from indoor gardens. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACTThough limited research has explored trafficker relationships involving family members as perpetrators, it is well documented that some victims of child trafficking are exploited by a family member or by a non-relative facilitated by a family member. This study utilized administrative data from the United States’ Kentucky child welfare system to examine how victim characteristics, case factors, system responses, and case outcomes are related to whether a child is trafficked by a family member perpetrator versus non-relative (only) perpetrator. Analyses were based on 698 alleged victims of child trafficking reported between 2013 and 2017. Findings suggest that victims of family-controlled trafficking were more likely to have a higher number of perpetrators, live in rural communities, and be younger. Further, instances of family-controlled trafficking were found to be more likely reported by anonymous, non-relative community members, and relative reporting parties compared to reporting parties of professionals, law enforcement, courts, and juvenile justice, as reflected in previous literature. Important findings revealed that having a family member involved as the perpetrator of trafficking predicted that the case would not be substantiated and/or founded, compared to cases not involving a family member. Implications for future research regarding the dynamics of family-controlled trafficking cases are discussed. Findings suggest opportunities for enhanced practice, training, and capacity-building in rural communities. To make a significant impact on the reduction of family-controlled trafficking, this study sheds light on the need for enforced penalties for family members as traffickers.

This study examined mental health and recovery needs at substance use disorder (SUD) program entry and at follow-up (n= 2064) among: (1) women with no stalking victimization; (2) women with lifetime stalking victimization experiences; and (3) women with recent stalking victimization experiences (within 12 months of program entry). Stalking can be defined as a repeated pattern of behavior that creates fear or concern for safety or extreme emotional distress in the target. Women who experienced any stalking victimization, and particularly recent stalking victimization at program entry, had more recovery needs and increased mental health symptoms. At follow-up, women with any stalking victimization experiences continued to have more recovery needs with few differences between the lifetime and recent stalking victimization groups. Stalking victimization experiences were significantly associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in the multivariate analysis. Addressing stalking victimization during SUD treatment may be important to facilitate recovery.

The article discusses the significance of Indigenous gardens in Canada and their role in promoting understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures. It highlights the choice of orange as the color for the 2024 Communities in Bloom garden competition, which is meant to honor Indigenous communities and their journey of truth and reconciliation. The article also showcases three Indigenous gardens in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Hamilton, which serve as spaces for learning about Indigenous relationships with plants and traditional uses of medicinal plants. The gardens aim to break through "plant blindness" and foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the increasing use of robots and artificial intelligence (AI) in gardening. It highlights the potential benefits of AI-powered robots, such as solar-powered weeding robots and robot lawn mowers, which can perform tasks autonomously. AI can also be used in watering systems to determine when to water based on weather predictions and plant needs. While some experts see advantages in using AI and robotics in gardening, others express concerns about the loss of physical connection to nature and the potential inaccuracies of AI-generated information. The article concludes by suggesting that AI and robotics may assist gardeners in the short term, but the long-term impact on the gardening experience remains uncertain. [Extracted from the article]

COLUMNS AND FEATURES TENDER PERENNIALS Hardy hibiscus may look exotic, but they're tough as nails. Part of the Malvaceae/mallow family, Hibiscus syriacus is arguably most well-known among home gardeners, but it has competition from the increasingly popular Hibiscus moscheutos, a.k.a. rose mallow, with its large dinner-platesized blossoms. Despite their tropicalsounding names and appearance, Hibiscus moscheutos are happy alongside Hibiscus syriacus facing the cooler days and darker nights of a fast-approaching fall and winter. [Extracted from the article]

Tips With a better understanding of why we integrate art into our gardens, I decided to explore the various tips for using art to enhance our gardens. Theory in practice Garden art continues to be popular, and so in my quest to learn more, I asked a couple of gardening friends why they adorned their gardens with decorative pieces. There's a garden in my neighbourhood adorned with small fairy and gnome figurines. [Extracted from the article]

The tree at VanDusen, like every Franklin tree that exists today, is descended from the seeds collected by William Bartram nearly 250 years ago. In March, early blooming rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.), winter aconite (Eranthus hyemalis) and Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) add to a palate that in April is overtaken by Japanese cherry blossoms (Prunus spp.), tulips and Magnolia trees. COLUMNS AND FEATURES VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver is home to over 7,500 species of plants from around the world. [Extracted from the article]

Adults who are homeless and/or involved in the criminal justice system have significantly higher risks of substance use disorders (SUD)s and they may have increased difficulty initiating and maintaining traditional SUD treatments. To address the needs of adults with SUDs who are homeless/criminal justice system involved the Recovery Kentucky programs were established. This study examined outcomes for this recovery housing program among an unduplicated statewide sample of men (n=672) and women (n= 732) clients who entered the Recovery Kentucky program and who were followed-up about 12 months after program entry across a 7-year period. Low, but similar rates of problem alcohol or illicit drug use at follow-up were found across the 7-year period. Men had higher rates of return to use than women. Further, about 40% of the clients had at least one recovery status vulnerability factor at follow-up each year of the study with no differences by gender.

A travel trip is presented for gardens in Canada including Indigenous People's Garden, and Sunken Garden.

In gardens designed for the public, McGillivray recommends wide pathways and easily reachable plants so the garden is accessible to those with mobility challenges. "I think it's important to remember that a sensory garden might look like a vast garden space with various beds, water features and pathways", McGillivray says, "but it also can be a single pot on a balcony with a few herbs or flowers that can be moved around throughout the seasons." Designing a sensory garden at home McGillivray sets up sensory gardens like a "choose your own adventure.". [Extracted from the article]

Twenty alluring tourist spots that can offer much for the traveler this winter are presented. The salient features of each place are provided, with all the required information regarding food, travel and accommodation.

Firearm-related risks have often been overlooked in the sequela of substance use and substance use disorders. This study compares adult substance abuse disorder treatment (SADT) clients who experienced recent (n= 274) and lifetime (n= 889) firearm threats to adults who were not threatened with a firearm (n= 2029) before and 12 months after program entry. More men experienced firearm threats (38.8%) than women (34.2%). However, among those with any firearm threats, more women (27.2%) experienced firearm threats in the year before program entry than men (20.2%). Being threatened with a firearm was associated with increased economic vulnerability, criminal justice system involvement, mental health problems, and victimization both before and after SADT program entry. A higher number of adverse childhood experiences were associated with firearm threats and particularly recent firearm threats. Results of this study underscore the importance of screening for firearm-related risks in substance abuse disorder treatment programs.

COLUMNS AND FEATURES In the fall of 2021, I interviewed Michel Gauthier, Executive Director of the Canadian Garden Council (CGC), about plans for the Year of the Garden 2022. Inspired by wartime patriotism, these gardens exemplify how gardening has contributed to the cultural history of Canada. It will be an exceptional place that will not only share the story of horticulture in Canada but will also build on the Year of the Garden slogan and inspire visitors to live the garden life. [Extracted from the article]

To register your garden, go to livethegardenlife.gardenscanada.ca Plant a red Canadian rose Canada has several varieties of native roses. Whether you have a small urban garden or an expansive acreage garden, register your garden as a Year of the Garden Celebration Garden and receive CGC recognition. COLUMNS AND FEATURES The Year of the Garden officially launched on March 20, 2022 - the first day of spring. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses five predictions regarding how residential life could soon be changing. It mentions the housing development called ReGen Village for residents of Amsterdam, Netherlands that provide solution regarding waste management. It states that Amro Sallam, executive director of the nonprofit design firm Architects for Society, has created a Hex House that have structural insulated panels that are low-cost and energy efficient. It also presents the views of James Ehrlich, a California-based developer and senior technologist at Stanford, regarding the same.

This study examined individual-level characteristics and factors associated with program completion, relapse, and multidimensional status at follow-up for 213 men and 248 women who entered one of 17 peer-led recovery programs and who completed a follow-up interview 12 months later. Study results found that although there were some significant gender differences at program entry among participants entering Recovery Kentucky, there were few gender differences at follow-up. In addition, although participants had significant psychosocial problems, polysubstance use patterns, and severe substance use disorder (SUD), the majority of both men and women reported completing the program (80.3%), a small minority reported relapse (9.5%), and about one third had worse multidimensional status about 12 months after program entry. Lower quality of life rating at program entry was associated with program completion and with better multidimensional status at follow-up. Study results suggest the recovery program provides an important option for some of the most vulnerable individuals with SUD.

Justin Devillier achieves a balance so many chefs strive for - respect for tradition, celebration of local flavors, and a successful personal spin - at his flagship restaurant, La Petite Grocery. Chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman have changed that, building a restaurant empire that's worth traveling to try. Here, chef Jose "Pepe" Magallanes serves the fresh, bright, vibrant food of his native Mexico City: braised carnitas, fragrant tortilla soup, corn coated in cotija cheese and red pepper. Cozy Poca Madre offers my favorite upscale D.C. twist on Mexican food: surprising dishes like hamachi ceviche in hibiscus sauce and burritos stuffed with lobster and Wagyu beef - not to mention its 12-course taco omakase (chef's choice) dinners. [Extracted from the article]

IT IS SOMETIMES difficult to see the positive in how our justice system works. Newspapers and television are full of stories that highlight how early parole or poor supervision of [...]

The article offers travel tips for St. Croix and includes recommendations for dining at Braata restaurant and swimming at the Cane Bay beach.

Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTE), higher rates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and higher distress intolerance have been associated separately with opioid misuse in clinical samples. Adult women who reported past year misuse of a prescription drug were recruited on Prolific Academic (ProA) to participate in an online survey (n= 154). Measures included the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) for lifetime trauma histories, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Distress Intolerance (DI), NIDA-Modified ASSIST, and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10). In a multinomial logistic regression model, experiencing a potentially traumatic event involving interpersonal victimization, having higher distress intolerance, and having greater PTSD symptoms, were significantly associated with drug use class. In particular, higher distress intolerance was associated with problem opioid use relative to problem use of other drugs. Distress intolerance is a potentially salient and modifiable target for mental health and substance use interventions.

Energy efficiency contributes significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the associated mitigation of climate change. The uptake of energy efficiency measures in the residential sector requires significant effort on the part of homeowners or residents. Past research has revealed that cost savings and social interaction motivate energy efficiency behavior. This study expands on this research by examining the hypothesis that there are regional differences in what motivates individuals to implement home energy efficiency upgrades. Two surveys (N= 320 and N= 423) examine the perceived benefits of and barriers to undertaking home energy efficiency improvements in varying geographic regions across the USA and test marketing materials that target these benefits and barriers. The hypothesis that there are regional differences in perceptions of energy efficiency was confirmed. Cost savings were found to be the most important benefit to individuals across the country. Energy efficiency being a good investment is either the second or third most important benefit across all regions. Increased comfort is the last of the top three most important benefits to those in the South and Midwest, while those in the Northeast demonstrated interest in the increase in home retail value associated with energy efficiency, and those in the West found the environmental benefits to be important. High costs of energy efficiency improvements were found to be the most commonly perceived barrier. Reported likelihood to enroll in a home energy efficiency program offered by one’s employer was predicted by perceived likelihood that coworkers would enroll, income level, and personal opinions about the importance of energy efficiency.