Any experience of childhood poverty affects life chances, but longer exposure is particularly detrimental to education, health, and future earnings. This study examines trends in long-term childhood poverty in Britain. Using a life-course perspective, we tracked poverty from birth to age ten among 1991–2017 birth cohorts. Our findings show that, on average, 17 per cent of children spent at least half of their childhood in poverty. Long-term poverty affected 25 per cent of those born in the early 1990s, markedly declined to 13–14 percent for cohorts born after the post-1997 welfare reforms, and rose again to 23 per cent for children born following the 2013 austerity reforms. These trends are driven by shifts in the penalties associated with work-family risk factors, rather than by changes in their prevalence. These shifts in penalties reflect broader changes in redistribution and predistribution. The decline in the 1990s was largely due to rising employment and earnings in low-income households, whereas the post-austerity surge stems from reduced redistribution. For cohorts born in the 2000s, social transfers played a substantial role in containing long-term poverty despite worsening predistribution. Overall, the findings show that long-term childhood poverty is a major challenge in Britain and highlight the need to strengthen redistribution and predistribution.

Strategic soil inversion is advocated as a periodic weed management strategy, typically recommended every 4 to 8 yr if the goal is to delay the evolution of herbicide resistance. It is assumed that the weed seeds buried during the inversion process will lose viability during this period. However, long-term seedbank persistence following soil inversion has not been investigated. If the buried seeds retain viability, subsequent inversions or other deep-tillage operations may return them to the soil surface, potentially replenishing the weed seedbank. The current study identified 30 sites within the wheatbelt of Western Australia (in 2020) that had previously been subject to a single soil inversion event, to investigate viability of the buried seed. At each site, soil was sampled at 10-cm increments from 0 to 40 cm, and weed seedling emergence from these samples was assessed during the following year. Weed emergence was dominated by six species: rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare L.), clammy goosefoot [Dysphania pumilio (R. Br.) Mosyakin & Clemants], capeweed [Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns], and ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus Roth). Weed emergence was greatest from the 10- to 20-cm soil depth, with limited weed emergence beyond this depth, despite inversion operations generally placing topsoil below 20-cm depth. Of the six predominant species, the seedbank persisted for at least 8 yr, except for B. diandrus. This species did not emerge from sites where the inversion was performed more than 2 yr before the survey. This likely reflects species-specific differences in seed size and seedling emergence depth, as B. diandrus produces relatively large seeds capable of emerging from 10 to 20 cm (i.e., the most common burial depth). The findings confirm that the buried seedbank for most species remains viable over extended periods.

In many high-income countries, migrant-native gaps persist in employment, even among second generation migrants. Active Labour Market Policies (ALMP), like occupation-specific training and internships, aim to enhance employability, yet evidence on differential enrolment by migration background remains limited. Using linked register data for Belgium, this study (I) documents differential uptake by migration background, and (II) addresses the extent to which such differentials are related to individual characteristics and coaching by caseworkers. We find significantly lower enrolment in internships and especially occupation-specific training among second generation migrant groups, those of non-European origin in particular. Migrant-native differences in human capital partly explain the gaps, whereas the gap remains largely unchanged when controlling for jobseekers’ flexibility. Conversely, the gap would be wider if second-generation migrant groups were not on average coached more intensively by caseworkers. Finally, much of the variation remains unexplained, highlighting a need for future research testing complementary theoretical explanations.

What are the long-term legacies of authoritarian repression on civil society? While much research has focused on high-intensity repression, we examine the more pervasive, low-intensity repression characteristic of many authoritarian regimes. We argue that repression’s effects vary by generation, reducing civic engagement among those who came of age during the authoritarian period but not among younger generations who either only lived their childhood under the regime or were children and grew up under democracy. Using data from around 140,000 individual surveys conducted between 1989 and 2017, we find that cohorts who reached adulthood during the Franco regime consistently exhibit lower civic engagement than those who came of age in democratic Spain. We show evidence consistent with the main results from complementary analyses using local-level data on repression. These findings contribute to the literature on authoritarian legacies, emphasizing the generational and contextual variability of their effects on civil society.

The global climate is changing, characterized by rising temperatures (projected to increase by 1.5–2 C by the end of the century) and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels (>410 ppm), which are recognized as the primary drivers of climate change. These changes significantly affect multiple aspects of weed biology, including seed germination, seedbank dynamics, photosynthesis, root growth, phenology, and biomass production, often enhancing weed growth and competitive ability by 60–90% under elevated temperature and CO2 conditions. Climate change not only modifies the biological traits of weeds but also influences the effectiveness of current management practices, including herbicide application, potentially increasing herbicide resistance. In this context, smart agriculture and artificial intelligence–based technologies offer promising tools for precise weed identification, monitoring of distribution patterns, and prediction of weed dynamics, thereby optimizing management strategies, reducing herbicide use, and improving control efficiency. Understanding climate-induced biological changes in weeds and integrating advanced technologies into management approaches are crucial for mitigating ecological threats and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production.

Recurrent drought increasingly threatens almond production in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, highlighting the need to exploit plant genetic resources with stable adaptive traits. This study reports a 3-year multi-genotypic evaluation of 41 almond genetic resources grown under rainfed conditions in a semi-arid environment characterized by interannual rainfall variability. Significant genotypic and interannual variability was observed across morphological, physiological and biochemical traits. Chlorophyll content (r = 0.7 with PC1; CV < 12%) emerged as a stable primary discriminant trait. Leaf nitrogen content, wood density, yield and leaf area also contributed significantly to genotype differentiation in multivariate analyses, together explaining 60% of total variance in the first principal component. A two-level hierarchical classification consistently separated tolerant, intermediate and sensitive genotypes. Among the evaluated genetic resources, ‘Princesse n° 3’, ‘Ferragnes*princesse 23’, ‘F1 melange 68/2’, ‘L 158’, ‘II A 7’, ‘(486*217)16’ and ‘GN9’ were identified as high-performing and drought-tolerant genotypes, highlighting their potential value for almond breeding and conservation programmes. This integrative, multi-year phenotypic approach provides a robust framework for identifying and utilizing drought-resilient almond genetic resources.

In spite of the omnibus property of integrated conditional moment (ICM) specification tests, they are not commonly used in empirical practice owing to features such as the non-pivotality of the test and the high computational cost of available bootstrap schemes, especially in large samples. This article proposes specification and mean independence tests based on ICM metrics. The proposed test exhibits consistency, asymptotic $\chi ^2$-distribution under the null hypothesis, and computational efficiency. Moreover, it demonstrates robustness to heteroskedasticity of unknown form and can be adapted to enhance power toward specific alternatives. A power comparison with classical bootstrap-based ICM tests using Bahadur slopes is also provided. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to showcase the excellent size control and competitive power of the proposed test.

Translocations are a conservation method used to establish or supplement self-sustaining populations. However, research regarding the welfare implications of this strategy is limited, particularly in recipient wild populations. Introductions of captive-born individuals are commonly used to supplement populations of endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), the UK’s only native crayfish species. To determine effects of translocation, both introduced and wild crayfish were marked and PIT-tagged, then monitored through behavioural observations and body condition scoring. We undertook analysis on welfare indicators, comparing resident and captive crayfish, as well as resident crayfish pre- and post-introduction. Our results provide some evidence that translocation events alter behaviour of resident crayfish. We also found some evidence that wild and captive-born crayfish differ in behaviour, with potentially negative welfare implications. By contrast, body condition analysis showed no variation pre- and post-introduction, suggesting that captive-born crayfish can effectively adapt to natural environments. Some behavioural differences were also better explained by other predictors rather than origin of animal. Multiple influences on the behaviour of crayfish were identified, including sex and weather conditions. Moreover, we identified factors which could enhance the welfare of this species in captivity and increase translocation efficacy, such as replicating features of natural environments in hatcheries. We also establish a basis for future research which could enhance conservation and understanding of the species.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is emerging as the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, with a spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves genetic, metabolic, and gut microbiota factors. Gut microbiota, through the gut-liver axis, plays a crucial role in the progression of MAFLD. Here, we investigated the association between DI-GM, a novel metric reflecting diet-microbiota interactions, MAFLD, and liver fibrosis, with a focus on the mediating role of vitamins. Using data from 13,498 participants across seven NHANES cycles (2007–2018), we found that higher DI-GM scores, indicative of a healthier gut microbiota-promoting diet, were associated with a reduced prevalence of MAFLD (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88–0.99) and high-risk liver fibrosis (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.90–0.98) in fully adjusted models. Notably, the relationship between DI-GM and MAFLD and the risk of liver fibrosis is largely mediated by specific vitamins and carotenoids, with vitamin C and cis-β-carotene emerging as key mediators. These findings suggest that dietary interventions targeting the gut microbiota and vitamin supplementation could offer new strategies for the prevention and management of MAFLD. Our study provides the first comprehensive evidence linking DI-GM to MAFLD and the risk of liver fibrosis, highlighting the potential of diet and nutrition to modulate metabolic liver diseases. Future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms and validating these findings through prospective studies and clinical trials.

This article analyses selected hymns of Romanos the Melodist (c. 485–562) with a special focus on who speaks and who listens. Romanos uses apostrophes to address biblical characters, the triune God, the Mother of God, and saints. Did they listen? In rare cases, characters respond – for instance, the eternal villain Hades, whom Romanos interrogates about Christ’s descent to the Underworld. At other times, the biblical characters seem to address the congregation from the storyworld. Examples such as these are analysed through the lens of modern narratology.

As Antimicrobial Stewardship and Healthcare Epidemiology (ASHE) concludes its first five years of existence, we reviewed and summarized the career perspectives publications. ASHE Careers publications are structured interviews with luminaries in infection prevention, public health, and antimicrobial stewardship, where leadership and professional development themes are individualized and explored. Across 14 published interviews from experienced infectious disease professionals identified, we synthesized 10 important themes amongst them. Among them emerged a strong emphasis on the central role of mentorship in career development, the importance of maintaining adaptability, and willingness to explore emerging opportunities of an ever-changing field. Together, these lessons offer guidance for those seeking direction or growth in healthcare epidemiology.

Widespread evolution of glyphosate resistance among kochia populations is a serious challenge for growers across the North American Great Plains. Dicamba has historically been used to control glyphosate-resistant (Gly-R) kochia. However, the increasing spread of dicamba-resistant kochia and current restrictions on dicamba use (low volatile formulations) warrant alternative herbicide options to control Gly-R kochia. In this context, field-based dose response experiments were conducted in fallow at Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays, KS, during 2021 and 2022 to determine and compare the effectiveness of 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p applied alone, and in a premixture of 2,4-D/dicamba/dichlorprop-p for controlling Gly-R kochia. Averaged across two years, results indicated that substantially lower doses of 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p were required in a premixture to achieve effective control of Gly-R kochia compared with their standalone applications. Specifically, the ED90 values for Gly-R kochia control were reduced by 90-, 4-, and 6-times for 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p, respectively, when applied as a premixture. Similarly, achieving 90% biomass reduction required approximately 1021-, 3-, and 4-times lower doses of 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p, respectively, in the premixture than when applied alone. Altogether, these results demonstrated that the premixture of 2,4-D/dicamba/dichlorprop-p can be an effective alternative for managing Gly-R kochia in fallow. The reduced dose requirements in a premixture also suggested potential benefits for resistance management, cost efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

President Donald Trump’s actions to assert control of the executive branch in his second term have been breathtaking in their speed, volume, and diversity. Trump’s actions raise the more general question of how to make sense of his presidency in historical perspective. Presidency scholars have contributed landmark research characterizing presidents based on personal characteristics, historic patterns, common incentives at work in different institutional configurations, and behaviors associated with populist leaders more generally. This article is a distillation of the theory behind Trump’s actions and describes the mechanics of how the president has asserted control over federal personnel in his second term. It concludes with the implications of these actions for governance and for our understanding of the Trump presidency in history more generally.

Building on Cramer’s (2016) foundational work on rural consciousness, we measure place consciousness in Canada as a unified construct capturing both in-group place identification and out-group place resentment. Using data from a large-scale Canadian survey, we then examine how place consciousness relates to federal voting behaviour across a novel typology of six urban, suburban, and rural place types. We find that place consciousness is strongest on the ends of the urban-rural continuum; in low- and high-income rural places, and in core urban contexts with large shares of knowledge economy workers. Strong place consciousness relates to Conservative voting in the former places, and Liberal voting in the latter. Place consciousness is weaker in suburban and working-class urban places, and less systematically related to voting behaviour. By examining place consciousness across place types, our findings reveal the nuanced ways in which place identity and resentment shape vote choice across Canada’s urban–rural cleavage.

For the past 13 years, Egypt has been ruled by the personalist-cum-military dictatorship of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. In 2013, El-Sisi seized power after overthrowing the first freely elected civilian president in Egypt’s history, Mohamed Morsi, and has since undertaken a sweeping reconfiguration of Egypt’s political economy. He narrowed the ruling coalition to privilege military, intelligence, and police officers while demoting and surveilling civilian state elites such as judges and parliamentarians. The praetorian ruling clique is kept intact by unbroken streams of foreign financing. Recipient of an annual $1.3 billion of military aid from the United States since 1979, the military is now also the beneficiary of some of the largest arms transfers in its history; Egypt was the world’s eighth-largest arms importer between 2020 and 2024. Another income stream is the military’s extensive enterprises in the civilian economy; they pay no taxes, control public land, and enjoy the free labor of conscripts. Intelligence agencies own media companies that produce agitprop valorizing El-Sisi as a handsome visionary, as satirized in the thriller Eagles of the Republic (dir. Tarik Saleh) that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025.

This work investigates the dynamics of positive classical solutions to a diffusive susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered-susceptible epidemic model with a mass-action incidence mechanism in spatially heterogeneous environments. Under minimal assumptions on the initial data, the global existence of classical solutions is established. Moreover, the eventual boundedness of these solutions is proved when either the spatial domain has dimension five or lower or the susceptible and exposed subpopulations share the same diffusion rate. Next, we define the basic reproduction number, $\mathcal{R}_0$, and demonstrate that the disease-free equilibrium is globally stable when $\mathcal{R}_0$ is sufficiently small. However, due to the complex interaction between population movement and spatial variation in transmission rates, we find that the disease may persist even when $\mathcal{R}_0$ is slightly less than one. In such cases, we show that the system admits at least two endemic equilibrium (EE) solutions, an outcome not observed under the frequency-dependent incidence mechanism. These results highlight the significant influence of the transmission mechanism on disease dynamics. Furthermore, we examine the spatial profiles of the EE solutions when diffusion rates are small. Our analysis suggests that limiting the movement of the susceptible population can significantly reduce disease prevalence, provided that the total population remains below a specific threshold. In contrast, restricting the movement of the infected, exposed, or recovered populations alone may not eradicate the disease. Overall, our findings provide important insights into the spatial dynamics of infectious diseases and may offer guidance for developing and implementing effective containment strategies.