Changes in HIV Internalized and Experienced Stigmas and Social Support After an Urban Gardens and Peer Nutritional Counseling Intervention Among People With HIV and Food Insecurity in the Dominican Republic.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity and HIV-related stigma negatively affect HIV outcomes. Few studies have examined how food security interventions affect HIV-related stigma and social support. SETTING: Two HIV clinics in the Dominican Republic. METHODS: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial of an urban gardens and peer nutritional counseling intervention was conducted to examine outcomes of HIV-related stigmas and social support. Adult patients (≥18 years of age) with moderate or severe household food insecurity and evidence of suboptimal ART adherence and/or a detectable viral load were enrolled; standard measures of internalized and experienced stigmas and social support were collected at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Intervention clinic participants received training and materials from agronomists for a home garden, 3-4 sessions of nutritional counseling from the clinic's peer counselor, and a garden produce cooking workshop facilitated by professional nutritionists. RESULTS: Of 109 study participants (46 intervention and 63 control), 103 (94%) completed 12-month follow-up. Difference-in-differences multivariate longitudinal linear regressions adjusting for sociodemographic factors found that intervention participants had reduced internalized stigma by 3.04 points (scale 0-32) at 12 months (P = 0.002); reduced probability of experiencing HIV-related stigma or discrimination in the past 6 months (20 percentage points at 6 months, P = 0.05 and 25 percentage points at 12 months, P = 0.02); and modestly improved social support at 12 months (1.85 points on 30-pt scale, P = 0.093). CONCLUSION: A fully powered, larger trial is needed to establish the efficacy of the intervention and assess pathways by which the intervention may improve HIV stigma and social support.

Climate risk analysis of low-altitude tea gardens in central Taiwan using a Bayesian network.

Tea is a vital agricultural product in Taiwan. Due to global warming, the increasing extreme weather events have disrupted tea garden conditions and caused economic losses in agriculture. To address these challenges, a comprehensive tea garden risk assessment model, a Bayesian network (BN), was developed by considering various factors, including meteorological data, disaster events, tea garden environment (location, altitude, tea tree age, and soil characteristics), farming practices, and farmer interviews, and constructed risk assessment indicators for tea gardens based on the climate change risk analysis concept from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC AR5). The results demonstrated an accuracy of over 92% in both validating and testing the model for tea tree damage and yield reduction. Sensitivity analysis revealed that tea tree damage and yield reduction were mutually influential, with weather, fertilization, and irrigation also impacting tea garden risk. Risk analysis under climate change scenarios from various global climate models (GCMs) indicated that droughts may pose the highest risk with up to 41% and 40% of serious tea tree growth damage and tea yield reduction, respectively, followed by cold events that most tea gardens may have less than 20% chances of serious impacts on tea tree growth and tea yield reduction. The impacts of heavy rains get the least concern because all five tea gardens may not be affected in terms of tea tree growth and tea yield with large chances of 67 to 85%. Comparing farming methods, natural farming showed lower disaster risk than conventional and organic approaches. The tea plantation risk assessment model can serve as a valuable resource for analyzing and offering recommendations for tea garden disaster management and is used to assess the impact of meteorological disasters on tea plantations in the future.

Sorption of Iodine on Biochar Derived from the Processing of Urban Sludge and Garden Waste at Different Pyrolysis Temperatures.

The United Nations proposed the Sustainable Development Goals with the aim to make human settlements in cities resilient and sustainable. The excessive discharge of urban waste including sludge and garden waste can pollute groundwater and lead to the emission of greenhouse gases (e.g., CH4). The proper recycling of urban waste is essential for responsible consumption and production, reducing environmental pollution and addressing climate change issues. This study aimed to prepare biochar with high adsorption amounts of iodine using urban sludge and peach wood from garden waste. The study was conducted to examine the variations in the mass ratio between urban sludge and peach wood (2/1, 1/1, and 1/2) as well as pyrolysis temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C) on the carbon yield and adsorption capacities of biochar. Scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, powder X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis were used to characterize the biochar produced at different pyrolysis temperatures and mass ratios. The results indicate that the carbon yield of biochar was found to be the highest (>60%) at a pyrolysis temperature of 300 °C across different pyrolysis temperatures. The absorbed amounts of iodine in the aqueous solution ranged from 86 to 223 mg g-1 at a mass ratio of 1:1 between urban sludge and peach wood, which were comparably higher than those observed in other mass ratios. This study advances water treatment by offering a cost-effective method by using biochar derived from the processing of urban sludge and garden waste.

Compost amendment in urban gardens: elemental and isotopic analysis of soils and vegetable tissues.

Urban horticulture poses a sustainable form of food production, fosters community engagement and mitigates the impacts of climate change on cities. Yet, it can also be tied to health challenges related to soil contamination. This work builds on a previous study conducted on eleven urban gardens in the city of Vienna, Austria. Following the findings of elevated Pb levels in some soil and plant samples within that project, the present study investigates the elemental composition of soil and plants from two affected gardens 1 year after compost amendment. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis of skin, pulp and seeds of tomato fruits revealed minor variations in elemental composition which are unlikely to have an impact on food safety. In turn, a tendency of contaminant accumulation in root tips and leaves of radishes was found. Washing of lettuce led to a significant reduction in the contents of potentially toxic elements such as Be, Al, V, Ni, Ga and Tl, underscoring the significance of washing garden products before consumption. Furthermore, compost amendments led to promising results, with reduced Zn, Cd and Pb levels in radish bulbs. Pb isotope ratios in soil and spinach leaf samples taken in the previous study were assessed by multi-collector (MC-) ICP-MS to trace Pb uptake from soils into food. A direct linkage between the Pb isotopic signatures in soil and those in spinach leaves was observed, underscoring their effectiveness as tracers of Pb sources in the environment.

Soil bacteriome diversity and composition of rooftop and surface gardens in urban and peri-urban areas of Bangladesh.

Soil microbiome science, rapidly evolving, predominantly focuses on field crop soils. However, understanding garden soil microbiomes is essential for enhancing food production sustainability in garden environments. This study aimed to unveil the bacteriome diversity and composition in rooftop garden soils (RGS) and surface garden soils (SGS) across urban (Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations) and peri-urban (Gazipur City Corporation) areas of Dhaka Division, Bangladesh. We analyzed 11 samples, including six RGS and five SGS samples from 11 individual gardens using 16S rRNA (V3-V4 region) gene-based amplicon sequencing. A total of 977 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), including 270 and 707 in RGS and SGS samples, respectively, were identified. The observed OTUs were represented by 21 phyla, 45 classes, 84 orders, 173 families, and 293 genera of bacteria. Alpha diversity indices revealed significantly higher bacterial diversity in SGS samples (p = 0.01), while beta diversity analyses indicated distinct bacteriome compositions between RGS and SGS samples (p = 0.028, PERMANOVA). Despite substantial taxonomic variability between sample categories, there was also a considerable presence of shared bacterial taxa. At the phylum level, Bacilliota (61.14%), Pseudomonadota (23.42%), Actinobacteria (6.33%), and Bacteroidota (3.32%) were the predominant bacterial phyla (comprising > 94.0% of the total abundances) in both types of garden soil samples. Of the identified genera, Bacillus (69.73%) and Brevibacillus (18.81%) in RGS and Bacillus (19.22%), Methylophaga (19.21%), Acinetobacter (6.27%), Corynebacterium (5.06%), Burkholderia (4.78%), Paracoccus (3.98%) and Lysobacter (2.07%) in SGS were the major bacterial genera. Importantly, we detected that 52.90% of genera were shared between RGS and SGS soil samples. Our data reveal unique and shared bacteriomes with probiotic potential in soil samples from both rooftop and surface gardens. Further studies should explore the functional roles of shared bacterial taxa in garden soils and how urban environmental factors affect microbiome composition to optimize soil health and sustainable food production.

Field performance of 15 rain gardens in different cities in Taiwan.

Rain gardens are widely used for low impact development (LID) or as a nature-based solution (NbS). They help to reduce runoff, mitigate hot temperatures, create habitats for plants and insects, and beautify landscapes. Rain gardens are increasingly being established in urban areas. In Taiwan, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) initiated a rain garden project in Taipei city in 2018, and 15 rain gardens have since been constructed in different cities. These Taiwanese-style rain gardens contain an underground storage tank to collect the filtrated rainwater, which can be used for irrigation. Moreover, the 15 rain gardens are equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, rainfall, and underground water levels. The monitoring data were transmitted with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling the capture and export of real-time values. The water retention, temperature mitigation, water quality, and ecological indices of the rain gardens were quantified using field data. The results from the young rain gardens (1-3 years) showed that nearly 100 % of the rainfall was retained onsite and did not flow out from the rain gardens; however, if the stored water was not used and the tanks were full, the rainwater from subsequent storms could not be stored, and the tanks overflowed. The surface temperatures of the rain garden and nearby impermeable pavement differed by an average of 2-4 °C. This difference exceeded 20 °C in summer at noon. The water in the underground storage tanks had very low levels of SS and BOD, with averages of 1.6 mg/L and 5.6 mg/L, respectively. However, the E. coli concentrations were high, and the average was 6283 CFU/100 mL; therefore, washing or drinking water is not recommended. The ecological indices, i.e., the Shannon and Simpson indices, demonstrated the good flora status of the rain gardens after one year. Although the weather differed by city, the performance of the rain gardens in terms of water retention, temperature mitigation, rainwater harvesting, and providing biological habitats was consistent. However, maintenance influences rain garden performance. If the stored water is not frequently used, the stored volume is reduced, and the stored water quality degrades.

Greenspace and risk of obesity-related cancer in the UK Biobank cohort: An analysis of private residential gardens and other greenspace types.

BACKGROUND: Cohort studies linking greenspace exposure to a lower risk of obesity-related cancer (ORC) are scarce. Existing evidence on site-specific cancers has predominantly relied on non-specific greenspace measures, including vegetation indices. We examined the associations of total greenspace, private residential gardens, and other greenspace types with the risk of being diagnosed with overall and site-specific ORC. METHODS: We used data from the participants in the UK Biobank recruited between 2006 and 2010 and censored until December 31, 2016. We defined greenspace variables using Ordnance Survey MasterMap™ greenspace categories. The incidence of ORC was ascertained through data linkage to cancer registries. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models and adjusted for covariates. We conducted mediation and modification analysis by physical activity, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and particulate matter air pollution with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as well as subgroup analysis by covariates. RESULTS: Among 279,326 participants, 9550 developed ORC over a median follow-up period of 7.82 years. An increase in private residential gardens within a 100 m buffer was associated with a decreased risk of overall ORC (HR:0.92; 95 % CI: 0.88, 0.96), breast cancer (HR: 0.91; 95 % CI: 0.84, 0.98), and uterine cancer (HR:0.80; 95 % CI: 0.67, 0.96). There was no association between other greenspace types and ORC, except for uterine cancer. The association for ORC was partly mediated by NO2 and modified by physical activity levels, 25(OH)D, PM2.5, and NO2, and sociodemographic factors, including sex and neighbourhood socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: Increased exposure to private residential gardens may lower the risk of being diagnosed with obesity-related cancer, particularly breast and uterine cancer. Future studies might move beyond considering greenspace quantity to explore functional types of greenspace exposure that should be prioritized for targeted health intervention and cancer prevention.

Mycological air contamination level and biodiversity of airborne fungi isolated from the zoological garden air - preliminary research.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the degree of mycological air contamination and determine the taxonomic diversity of airborne fungi residing in the air of 20 different animal facilities in a zoological garden. The concentrations of fungi in the zoological garden were measured using a MAS-100 air sampler. The collected microorganisms were identified using the combination of molecular and morphological methods. The fungal concentration ranged from 50 to 3.65 × 104 CFU/m3 during the whole study. The quantitative analysis of the fungal aerosol showed that the obtained concentration values were lower than the recommended permissible limits (5 × 104 CFU/m3 for fungi). Environmental factors, including temperature and relative humidity, exerted a varying effect on the presence and concentration of isolated fungi. Relative humidity was shown to correlate positively with the concentration of fungal spores in the air of the facilities studied (rho = 0.57, p < 0.0021). In parallel, no significant correlation was established between temperature and total fungal concentration (rho = - 0.1, p < 0.2263). A total of 112 fungal strains belonging to 50 species and 10 genera were isolated. Penicillium was the dominant genera, including 58.9% of total fungal strains, followed by Aspergillus 25.89%, Cladosporium 3.57%, Talaromyces 3.57%, Mucor 1.78%, Schizophyllum 1.78%, Syncephalastrum 0.89%, Alternaria 0.89%, Absidia 0.89%, and Cunninghamella 0.89%. Our preliminary studies provide basic information about the fungal concentrations, as well as their biodiversity in zoological garden. Further studies are needed to generate additional data from long-term sampling in order to increase our understanding of airborne fungal composition in the zoological garden.

Nocardioides agri sp. nov., isolated from garden soil.

A novel bacterial strain, designated as MAH-18T, was isolated from soil sampled in a flower garden. Cells of strain MAH-18T were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped. The colonies were beige in colour, smooth, and spherical when grown on Reasoner's 2A agar medium. Strain MAH-18T grew at 20-40 °C, pH 6.0-8.0, and 0-1.0 % NaCl. Cells were able to hydrolyse aesculin, gelatin, and Tween 20. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was determined to be a member of the genus Nocardioides and most closely related to Nocardioides pyridinolyticus OS4T (97.9 %), Nocardioides hankookensis DS-30T (97.9 %), Nocardioides aquiterrae GW-9T (97.6 %), Nocardioides soli mbc-2T (97.5 %), Nocardioides conyzicola HWE 2-02T (97.4 %), and Nocardioides mangrovi GBK3QG-3T (96.3 %). Strain MAH-18T has a draft genome size of 4 788 325 bp (eight contigs), 4572 protein-coding genes, 46 tRNA, and three rRNA genes. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain MAH-18T and the closest type strains were 81.5-83.4 % and 24.4-25.8 %, respectively. In silico genome mining revealed several biosynthetic gene clusters in the genome of the novel strain MAH-18T. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain was 72.2 mol% and the predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-8 (H4). The main polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids were determined to be C16:0 iso and C17 : 1 ω6c. The DNA-DNA hybridization results and phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic data demonstrated that strain MAH-18T represents a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides agri sp. nov. is proposed, with MAH-18T as the type strain (=KACC 19744T=CGMCC 1.13656T).

Aging with her garden: Mutual care across species and generations.

What can caring for, and being cared for by, a garden teach us about aging well? This article is a narrative exploration of care, aging, and wellbeing in later life through conversations with an older woman and her garden in Toronto, Canada during the months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus is on the interconnectedness of care across generations and species. Moving away from conventional generational scripts, the article expands notions of care and aging with an intersectional, feminist and decolonial approach to relationality across time and space. The article uses interviews, photovoice-inspired sessions, and autoethnography, to look at aging and wellbeing as relational and more-than-human relationality. It extends the ethics of care beyond traditional boundaries, embracing perspectives that challenge normative assumptions of gender, age, and interspecies relations. The article aims to contribute to the current debates around colonial research logics, though a critical feminist understanding of relationality and embodied learning. It emphasizes the importance of connecting across generations, seeing land as a way to restore human and more-than-human relations while prefiguring a more care-full present.

Assessing arthropod biodiversity with DNA barcoding in Jinnah Garden, Lahore, Pakistan.

Previous difficulties in arthropod taxonomy (such as limitations in conventional morphological approaches, the possibility of cryptic species and a shortage of knowledgeable taxonomists) has been overcome by the powerful tool of DNA barcoding. This study presents a thorough analysis of DNA barcoding in regards to Pakistani arthropods, which were collected from Lahore's Jinnah Garden. The 88 % (9,451) of the 10,792 specimens that were examined were able to generate DNA barcodes and 83% (8,974) of specimens were assigned 1,361 barcode index numbers (BINs). However, the success rate differed significantly between the orders of arthropods, from 77% for Thysanoptera to an astounding 93% for Diptera. Through morphological exams, DNA barcoding, and cross-referencing with the Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD), the Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) were assigned with a high degree of accuracy, both at the order (100%) and family (98%) levels. Though, identifications at the genus (37%) and species (15%) levels showed room for improvement. This underscores the ongoing need for enhancing and expanding the DNA barcode reference library. This study identified 324 genera and 191 species, underscoring the advantages of DNA barcoding over traditional morphological identification methods. Among the 17 arthropod orders identified, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera from the class Insecta dominated, collectively constituting 94% of BINs. Expected malaise trap Arthropod fauna in Jinnah Garden could contain approximately 2,785 BINs according to Preston log-normal species distribution, yet the Chao-1 Index predicts 2,389.74 BINs. The Simpson Index of Diversity (1-D) is 0.989, signaling high species diversity, while the Shannon Index is 5.77, indicating significant species richness and evenness. These results demonstrated that in Pakistani arthropods, DNA barcoding and BOLD are an invaluable tool for improving taxonomic understanding and biodiversity assessment, opening the door for further eDNA and metabarcoding research.

The Impact of Urban Allotment Gardens on Physical and Mental Health in Norway.

In Norway, many communities offer low-rent plots of land on which city dwellers can build summer cottages and grow crops. These allotment gardens serve as recreational escapes from urban life. However, little is known about the impact these gardens have on their members. This study attempts to shed light on today's impact of allotment gardens in a public health setting in Norway. The study was based on 17 semi-structured interviews and 2 in-depth interviews with allotment house owners. Informants were mainly recruited by "snowball sampling". Our data show that maintaining an allotment promotes exercise and provides a positive impact on self-perceived well-being and physical health through outdoor activities. Spending time in the garden contributes to new knowledge and experiences. Owning an allotment garden has provided new knowledge, new skills, new hobbies, and thereby an improvement in lifestyle. The allotment garden has a strong impact on perceived health, well-being, and sense of coherence (SOC) for the individuals. It promotes outdoor activities along with social interaction and can prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green infrastructures: Rain gardens.

Rain gardens, a type of green infrastructure (GI), have been recognized for mitigating flooding and improving water quality from minor storms by trapping stormwater pollutants. Yet, the capability of these systems to retain microplastics (MPs) from stormwater, especially in size <125 µm, remains inadequately understood. This study investigated the spatial and temporal distributions of MPs in three rain gardens located in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The rain gardens have been in operation for ∼7 years and located in different land uses: low-density residential (Site 1), commercial (Site 2), and high-density residential (Site 3). The sediment samples were collected during May 2022, August 2022, and February 2023 at various soil depths and horizontal distances of rain gardens. The MPs were quantified and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and a Raman microscope. The overall mean concentration varied between sampling sites, with 469 ± 89.8 pkg-1 in Site 1, 604 ± 91.4 pkg-1 in Site 2, and 997 ± 64.3 pkg-1 in Site 3, with Polypropylene as the dominant polymer, followed by nylon and polyethylene. In the vertical direction, larger MPs (250 µm-5 mm) were effectively retained within the top 5 cm and their concentration declined exponentially with the increasing depths. Small-sized MPs (1-250 µm) were prevalent at deeper depths (≥ 10 cm), and no MPs were found below 15 cm. In the horizontal direction, the highest MP concentration was observed near the stormwater inlet, and the concentration decreased away from the inlet. Over the nine-month period, a notable increase in concentration was observed at all sites. These findings contribute valuable knowledge towards developing effective measures for retaining MPs from stormwater and monitoring GIs in urban environments.

A beautiful bush space on Country: Indigenous women's perspectives on the cultural significance of a placenta garden.

BACKGROUND: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, hereafter respectfully referred to as First Nations women, often experience maternity care incongruent with their cultural needs. To date, there is limited research on First Nations women's perceptions of the role that placental burial and a placenta garden may play in promoting connection to culture for women and their babies. AIM: This study aimed to understand First Nations women's perceptions of placenta burial and a dedicated placenta garden in supporting connection to their culture. METHODS: In this qualitative descriptive study, decolonising methods were used to recruit eight First Nations women using message stick sampling via First Nations mentors. Stories were told through yarns using a semi-structured yarning guide. Reflexive thematic analysis led to theme generation. Member-checking of preliminary themes by participants and endorsement by First Nations mentors occurred before finalisation of themes. FINDINGS: Four themes captured the women's perspectives on the significance of placental burial and gardens. Recognising the Barriers explores factors impacting on culture and maternity care experiences. Enabling Continuity of Care describes a desire to work with a midwife towards a continuum throughout the perinatal period. Promoting Connection for Mum and Baby explores how the placenta garden can act as a conduit for connection. Finally, Creating Opportunity for Healing describes the essential healing that can be initiated through engaging in cultural placental burial. CONCLUSION: First Nations women described placental burial as essential to strengthening their connection to culture and perceived that continuity of care with a culturally knowledgeable midwife facilitated connection.

Determining the plant-pollinator network in a culturally significant food and medicine garden in the Great Lakes region.

Understanding the interactions between plants and pollinators within a system can provide information about pollination requirements and the degree to which species contribute to floral reproductive success. Past research has focused largely on interactions within monocultured agricultural systems and only somewhat on wild pollination networks. This study focuses on the culturally significant Three Sisters Garden, which has been grown and tended by many Indigenous peoples for generations in the Great Lakes Region. Here, the plant-pollinator network of the traditional Three Sisters Garden with the inclusion of some additional culturally significant plants was mapped. Important visitors in this system included the common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and the hoary squash bee, Xenoglossa pruinosa (Say) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), as determined by their abundances and pollinator service index (PSI) values. Understanding the key pollinators in the Three Sisters Garden links biological diversity to cultural diversity through the pollination of culturally significant plants. Further, this information could be of use in supporting Indigenous food sovereignty by providing knowledge about which wild pollinators could be supported to increase fruit and seed set within the Three Sisters Garden. Our findings can also lead to more effective conservation of important wild pollinator species.

Is it healthy urban agriculture? Human exposure to potentially toxic elements in urban gardens from Andalusia, Spain.

Different vegetable species and topsoils were collected from different urban gardens of Seville, Cordoba, and Huelva (South Spain) and from two small towns in a mining area (Riotinto), together with topsoil close to the plants. The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was evaluated in edible plant parts and in the soils. The same species were also purchased from Seville local markets and from a peri-urban area (domestic garden in a rural area) and also analyzed. Plant/soil pollution relation was studied and human health risk was assessed by different parameters. Soils of urban gardens from the mining area were more contaminated with As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in comparison with other locations, and generally, soils from cities showed higher values of As, Pb, and Zn than the peri-urban ones. The mean concentration of almost all potentially toxic elements was higher in leafy than in fruiting and bulbous species. Arsenic, Cd, and Pb concentrations were below health-based guidance values in all vegetables except Cd in one sample in the peri-urban area. In general, PTEs concentration in vegetables from city urban gardens did not exceed the one found in market vegetables for almost all studied elements, except in lettuce for almost elements. The hazard quotient (HQ) values were lower than the unit for all PTEs in plant species from the studied gardens, as well as the hazard index (HI), indicating that consumption of these vegetables can be considered safe and without risk to human health. Also, cancer risk values for As were below the established limits in all vegetables from the studied urban gardens, including those from the As-contaminated soils in the mining area.

Unveiling human-nature interaction: Qualitative exploration of perceived benefits of urban gardening.

The study seeks to provide insights into the subjective experiences and perceived benefits of urban gardening by gardeners in the city of Belgrade. It encompassed several forms of urban gardens, both collective and individual. The study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with 44 gardeners, supplemented by field observations. Thematic analysis revealed seven key themes of benefits. The findings slightly diverged from studies in developed countries, demonstrating less emphasis on the social aspects of urban gardening, as participants did not view social interaction as a primary motivation. Also, there was a stronger focus on the productive and economic aspects of gardening among the retired low-income population of home gardeners with previous experience in agriculture.

Unlocking the elemental signature of European tea gardens: Implications for tea traceability.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the elemental profiles of tea leaves coming from plants grown in several European gardens, with a focus on the bioaccumulation of essential and potentially toxic trace elements in relation to processing and location of tea garden. Samples were collected from various gardens across Europe, including Portugal, the Azores, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Elemental analysis was conducted on fresh tea leaves, dried leaves, and leaves processed for the production of green and black tea, along with soil samples from the root zones of tea plants. The results reveal no significant differences in elemental content based on the processing of tea leaves. However, distinct elemental profiles were observed among tea leaves of plants grown in gardens from different European regions. Utilizing chemometric and machine learning tools, the study highlights the potential of these elemental profiles for enhancing the traceability of tea products.