Article
Development Studies
Ashwini Deshpande, Shantanu Khanna
Summary: This study examines whether weak ties generated through participation in livelihood programs can lead to the creation or enhancement of social capital. While participation in self-help groups had little impact on livelihoods, it led to the creation of significant social capital, particularly related to women's empowerment. The study emphasizes the importance of social capital in addition to livelihood strengthening in community development initiatives.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Atrayee Saha, Eswarappa Kasi
Summary: This paper presents cases of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Bardhaman district in West Bengal (WB) that have the potential to demonstrate alternatives to capitalist development by strengthening the community economies of women belonging to marginal groups. The study finds that in regions where community participation and local self-government is proactive, SHGs are seen as strong sustainability initiatives for the rural marginalized groups. However, in certain regions with social inequality and inadequate community participation, implementing SHGs as a sustainability program has been difficult.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Richa Kandpal, Izuru Saizen
Summary: The growth of secondary and tertiary sectors in peri-urban villages has led to development strains and transformations, with self-help groups playing a significant role in improving living conditions, enhancing community awareness, and promoting social integration. Results show significant correlations between SHG participation and literacy levels on attitudes towards local involvement in solid waste management. Policy support can help in enhancing the role of SHGs in service delivery within villages.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Neha Kumar, Kalyani Raghunathan, Alejandra Arrieta, Amir Jilani, Shinjini Pandey
Summary: The study shows that SHG membership has a significant positive impact on women's empowerment in agriculture, reducing the gap between men's and women's empowerment scores. Greater control over income, decision-making over credit, and active involvement in community groups lead to improvements in women's empowerment scores.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Yixin Zhou, Jonathan J. H. Zhu
Summary: This study examines the influence of group health status composition on social contact in online health-specific goal challenge groups, and how both group health status composition and social contact affect individual health achievement. The results show that group conditions, such as average weight status and member affiliation, are more strongly connected with social contact. Different mechanisms affect people's participation in social contact and their weight loss. The average group condition influences individuals' weight loss through social contact. This study emphasizes the importance of group composition and the social contact process in health enhancement.
Article
Psychiatry
Tomoka Yamamoto, Hiroko Okuno, Aika Tatsumi, Saeko Sakai, Ikuko Mohri, Masako Taniike
Summary: Children with autism spectrum disorders often struggle to develop peer relationships, so social skills interventions are typically conducted in groups. Methods like behavioral and social imaging aim to visualize children's behaviors and interactions. Using a business microscope to automatically visualize face-to-face interactions can offer an objective measure to validate intervention effectiveness.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Garima Siwach, Sohini Paul, Thomas de Hoop
Summary: This paper examines the costs and cost-effectiveness of a large-scale self-help group program in India. It finds that while program scale-up leads to reduced costs, the impact on women's agency and asset ownership is smaller. The study shows that there are economies of scale in the program, with a decrease in annual per capita costs as the program membership increases. However, the program did not generate significant improvements in women's agency and asset ownership after scale-up.
Article
Economics
Vivian Hoffmann, Vijayendra Rao, Vaishnavi Surendra, Upamanyu Datta
Summary: The government-led SHG initiative in the Indian state of Bihar has resulted in a dramatic increase in SHG membership, borrowing from SHGs, and a corresponding decline in the use of informal credit after two years. While these credit market impacts could lead to substantial improvements in economic well-being over time, the short-run impact of the program on such outcomes is modest.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Kalyani Raghunathan, Neha Kumar, Shivani Gupta, Giang Thai, Samuel Scott, Avijit Choudhury, Madhu Khetan, Purnima Menon, Agnes Quisumbing
Summary: Microfinance groups are an important source of small-scale rural credit in developing countries. However, the impact of women-only savings and credit self-help groups (SHGs) on household consumption and asset ownership in India remains inconclusive, and little is known about the sustainability of these impacts. Using panel data, this study finds small but significant impacts of SHG membership on household expenditure and livestock ownership. The duration of membership has a modest effect, suggesting that initial impacts may diminish as the program scales up.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Walter S. de Boef, Samarth Singh, Pooja Trivedi, Kripal Singh Yadav, P. S. Mohanan, Sampath Kumar, Jagdish Prasad Yadavendra, Krista Isaacs
Summary: In India, the integration of women's empowerment projects with varietal replacement of crops proved successful, as women in self-help groups were able to produce and distribute new rice and wheat varieties, leading to empowerment outcomes.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Carly Nichols
Summary: This study examines the effectiveness and equity of using SHGs as platforms for development programs through analyzing data collected from an intervention in eastern India. The findings suggest that social capital within and between SHGs is crucial for the success of health messaging and other interventions. Sites with more mature SHGs had greater economic security and stronger social capital, leading to more active participation in interventions compared to sites with younger SHGs and more poverty.
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
YongHong Wang, JingHua Ma, Yanmei Gu, Jian Wang, Can Chen, Yan Zhang, Rong Wang
Summary: This study explored the impact of group cooperative learning on improving self-directed learning (SDL) ability among nursing students. The findings suggested that learning in small heterogeneous groups can enhance nursing students' SDL ability, potentially by improving their self-management and cooperation abilities.
NURSE EDUCATION TODAY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Najma Iqbal Malik, Sidra Saleem, Irfan Ullah, Syeda Tayyaba Rehan, Domenico De Berardis, Mohsin Atta
Summary: The present study aimed to investigate the impact of psychosocial factors on the stigma of mental illness among relapsed drug addicts in Punjab, Pakistan. A sample of 116 relapsed drug addicts was collected using purposive sampling technique, and self-report measures were used to assess the variables of interest. The results revealed that self-efficacy, social support, conscientiousness were negative predictors, while neuroticism was a positive predictor of stigma. Moreover, social support was found to moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and stigma, and self-efficacy moderated the relationship between social support and stigma. These findings highlight the significant role of psychosocial factors in addiction relapse.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ela Ziegler, Stefan Nickel, Alf Trojan, Jens Klein, Christopher Kofahl
Summary: This study investigates the experiences of leaders of cancer self-help groups (SHGs) in Germany regarding their cooperation with cancer care facilities. The results show a positive assessment of the involvement of SHGs in oncological care, but differences between inpatient and outpatient care and low referrals to SHGs are still prominent.
HEALTH EXPECTATIONS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hsu Nwe Yee Aung, Arthorn Riewpaiboon, Montaya Sunantiwat, Montarat Thavorncharoensap, San Hone
Summary: This study in Myanmar investigated the economic burden of HIV from a patient perspective, highlighting the significant impact of indirect costs and the positive effect of first year ART initiation and second line drug regimen on total costs. Efforts to reduce economic burden on patients through compensation for transportation costs and job opportunities are essential. Further research from provider and societal perspectives is needed to fully understand the economic burden of HIV in Myanmar.
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Ma, Wenquan Niu, Guochun Li, Erxin Zhang, Jun Sun, Qian Zhang, Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Summary: Soil bacteria, especially bacterial biomarkers, play important roles in agroecosystem functioning by influencing soil nutrient cycling and crop growth. This study found that bacterial biomarkers are better predictors of wheat yield compared to overall bacteria, and they affect wheat production by increasing soil organic carbon and available nitrogen content.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Sanket J. More, Kirti Bardhan, Velumani Ravi, Ratnakumar Pasala, Ashish K. Chaturvedi, Milan Kumar Lal, Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Summary: Cassava is a critical crop for alleviating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, but water scarcity is a major challenge for future production. Despite being drought-tolerant, water stress affects cassava productivity. Understanding the responses to drought can help in breeding and implementing effective agronomic methods.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rudra Bhattarai, Hui Liu, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Guijun Yan
Summary: This study compared two NIL pairs with the most contrasting performance in metribuzin treatment and different genetic backgrounds using RNA sequence analysis, identifying nine candidate genes underlying Qsns.uwa.4 A.2 responsible for metribuzin resistance. Quantitative RT-qPCR further validated the candidate genes, with TraesCS4A03G1099000 (nitrate excretion transporter), TraesCS4A03G1181300 (aspartyl protease), and TraesCS4A03G0741300 (glycine-rich proteins) identified as key factors for metribuzin resistance.
Article
Agronomy
Liyan Liang, Tingting An, Shuo Liu, Yamin Gao, Min Yu, Bingcheng Xu, Suiqi Zhang, Xiping Deng, Nanthi Bolan, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Yinglong Chen
Summary: The development of an evaluation tool to determine genotypic variation in phosphorus (P) utilization efficiency is important for crop productivity and farmers' income under low P environments. This study assessed root response and P efficiency traits in 20 maize genotypes and found that low P stress enhanced P utilization efficiency. The systematic cluster analysis using selected traits and their LPTC values can be used as an evaluation tool in assessing P efficiency among the genotypes.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fei Qi, Lihu He, Lihui Cui, Wenguang Wang, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Sihang Li
Summary: Due to concerns about non-biodegradable plastics, there is a high demand for biodegradable films that incorporate natural antibacterial agents. This study developed a film with lysozyme encapsulated in microparticles and incorporated into a polymer using a solution casting technique. The film showed improved mechanical properties, remarkable antibacterial activity, and high soil degradability, making it suitable for intelligent food packaging.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Binbin Zhang, Sihui Yan, Bin Li, Shufang Wu, Hao Feng, Xiaodong Gao, Xiaolin Song, Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Summary: The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers is crucial for increasing yield and improving soil fertility. This study conducted a field trial in hilly apple orchards and found that the use of organic fertilizers in a water-saving system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease runoff and sediment yield, and improve apple yield and fruit quality.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Lihong Wu, Hao Quan, Lina Wu, Xi Zhang, Hao Feng, Dianyuan Ding, Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Summary: This study examines the effects of plastic mulching on winter wheat growth under late-sowing conditions on the Loess Plateau. The research finds that plastic mulching can improve crop growth and increase yields by promoting early emergence and increasing tiller numbers. Additionally, it reduces ineffective transpiration and mitigates yield losses caused by late sowing. The findings suggest that combining a 10-day delay in sowing with plastic mulching is the optimal approach for improving yield and water productivity in unfavorable late-sowing conditions.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meththika Vithanage, Xiaokai Zhang, Viraj Gunarathne, Yi Zhu, Lasantha Herath, Kanchana Peiris, Zakaria M. Solaiman, Nanthi Bolan, Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Summary: The increasing human population and demand for high-quality food sources have raised concerns over hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Researchers are focusing on developing improved crop varieties with higher productivity, and the introduction of nanomaterials through plant nanobionics has shown potential in enhancing crop yield. This comprehensive review explores the effects of nanomaterials on crop yield, discusses various nanobionic approaches, and highlights the need for investigating potential environmental risks associated with nanotechnology in agriculture.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tanushree Halder, Elke Stroeher, Hui Liu, Yinglong Chen, Guijun Yan, Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Summary: Improving the root system of wheat is crucial for enhancing grain yield and climate resilience. This study identified proteins associated with root length and root mass in wheat using label-free quantitative proteomics. The findings revealed potential biomarkers that could be used for improving the root system of wheat.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Mohammad Moinul Islam, Zed Rengel, Paul Storer, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Zakaria M. Solaiman
Summary: Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient for crop productivity globally. However, there is limited information about the impact of P fertility on industrial hemp production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different P rates on growth, physiology, rhizosphere carboxylate exudation, nutrient uptake, and P-use efficiency in hemp.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nilesh Joshi, Sneha Priya Pappula Reddy, Neeraj Kumar, Chellapilla Bharadwaj, Kumar Tapan, B. S. Patil, Pradeep Kumar Jain, M. S. Nimmy, Manish Roorkiwal, Preeti Verma, Rajeev K. Varshney, Kadambot H. Siddique, K. Sudhir
Summary: This study aimed to identify salt stress tolerant genotypes of chickpea at the seedling stage. Through screening 50 chickpea accessions, it was found that root traits were better indicators of salt stress tolerance. The most salt tolerant and salt sensitive genotypes were ICCV10 and ILC5595, respectively.
CROP & PASTURE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shaofei Wang, Xiaodong Gao, Min Yang, Gaopeng Huo, Xiaolin Song, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Pute Wu, Xining Zhao
Summary: Stable water isotopes are widely used to study plant water use strategy in different ecosystems. However, the presence of roots in deep soil does not necessarily mean root water uptake, as it usually occurs at a specific time during the growing season. Using the natural abundance of stable water isotopes to quantify the contribution of deep-layer soil water may not be accurate in deep vadose zone regions.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Li Wang, Peina Lu, Shoujiang Feng, Chantal Hamel, Dandi Sun, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Gary Y. Gan
Summary: This comprehensive review examines the effects of agricultural land use and crop/soil management on soil health, and provides feasible strategies for improving soil health.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xingyun Qi, Guang Yang, Yi Li, Zhenan Hou, Penghui Shi, Shibin Wang, Xiaofang Wang, Jiaping Liang, Benhua Sun, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Shufang Wu, Hao Feng, Xiaohong Tian, Qiang Yu, Xiangwen Xie
Summary: Biochar application can significantly increase the Na+, K+, and nutrient contents in cotton and sugarbeet fields, improving the chemical environment of saline-alkali soil. Soil salinity is highest in inter-rows and accumulates at a depth of 0-60 cm. The recommended optimal biochar application rate is 10 t ha 1, and sugarbeet is an effective crop for reducing soil salinity.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Nanthi Bolan, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Farooq
Summary: Plants capture carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store it as biomass. The roots of plants play a crucial role in transferring carbon into the soil's organic carbon pool. Implementing effective agricultural practices can sequester carbon in the long term and have multiple co-benefits.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)