University of the West Indies

Approximately 75% of children aged 2 to 4 worldwide are regularly subjected to violent discipline. We study the impact of a digitally delivered intervention on positive parenting practices in Jamaica using a randomized controlled trial. Results show that the intervention improves caregiver knowledge (0.52 SD), attitudes toward violence (0.2 SD), and reduces caregiver violence against children (0.12 SD). Treatment children experience fewer emotional problems (0.17 SD). We also find reductions in caregiver depression (0.12 SD), anxiety (0.16 SD), and parental stress (0.16 SD) for treatment caregivers nine months later. The digital delivery has important scalable policy implications that could help decrease violence against children worldwide. • RCT of a digitally delivered intervention on non-violent parenting in Jamaica. • Content was delivered through SMS, an app, and online group parenting sessions. • Document ITT improvements in caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. • Findings show reductions in caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress nine months later. • Scalable policy implications could help decrease violence against children worldwide.

This study reports the whole-genome sequence data and functional annotations of a novel Stutzerimonas marianensis strain LB-0542 isolated from the decomposing pelagic Sargassum biomass stranded on Long Beach, Barbados. The genomic DNA was sequenced with the Illumina NextSeq2000 platform. The genome assembly was performed with the SPAdes Genome Assembler (ver 3.15.5). The assembled genome has a size of 4520,813 bp, a coverage of 110X, a GC content of 63.2 %, a L50 of 2 and a N50 of 1079,143 bp. The genome consists of 12 contigs, 0 CRISPR, 3 rRNA, 56 tRNA and 4166 CDSs (coding sequences) with a coding ratio of 89.4 %. The genome annotation results for the COG (cluster of orthologous genes) and subsystem features indicate that the metabolism and the amino acids and derivatives are the most dominant categories, respectively. The analysis of the genome for the existence of Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZymes) identified 230 genes encoding four functional classes of CAZymes [glycoside hydrolases (75 genes), glycosyltransferases (95 genes), carbohydrate esterases (9 genes) and carbohydrate-binding modules (51 genes)]. The functional annotation of the genome for plastic degradation revealed the presence of 34 genes, which could catalyse the degradation process of 14 types of plastics, polyethylene glycol [PEG (29 %)], polylactic acid [PLA (11 %)], poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [PHBV (9 %)], polyhydroxyalkanoates [PHA (9 %)], polyethylene [PE (6 %)], polycaprolactone [PCL (6 %)], polyethersulfone [PES (6 %)], polyethylene terephthalate [PET (6 %)], poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate [PBAT (3 %)], (polystyrene [PS (3 %)], polybutylene succinate [PBSA (3 %)], poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) [P3HV (3 %)], polyvinyl alcohol [PVA (3 %)] and natural rubber [NR (3 %)]. The genome mining for plant growth-promoting traits identified 3175 genes that are associated with the colonizing plant system (26 %), competitive exclusion (21 %), stress control (21 %), biofertilization (14 %), phytohormone and plant signal production (10 %), bioremediation (7 %) and plant immune response stimulation (1 %). These genome mining results are an indication of the biotechnological and ecological significance of the novel strain LB-0542 for sustainable biocatalytic processing of Sargassum and plastic-containing waste. The genome sequence data is available in DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank with the accession number BAAIAE000000000.

Abstract The climate crisis is increasingly contributing to a mental health crisis. Policy and practice inadequately account for the mental health costs of climate change and the mental health benefits of climate action. The climate and mental health field is expanding rapidly but unevenly. Connecting Climate Minds (CCM), a global initiative, aimed to develop a guiding vision to ensure investment in and implementation of future research aligns with lived experience needs and appropriately informs policies. CCM convened 1184 contributors with diverse expertise across 126 countries, through 21 online and in-person dialogues. Their insights produced a Global Research and Action Agenda for climate change and mental health. This paper outlines the 53 research priorities structured into four high-level themes (impacts, risks and vulnerable groups; pathways and mechanisms; mental health benefits and risks of climate action; mental health interventions). It also outlines how to implement research and translate evidence to action.

The rise of antimicrobial resistance and the global burden of cancer demand innovative therapeutic strategies. Frog skin secretions offer a rich source of bioactive peptides, some of which exhibit remarkable dual functionality-potent antimicrobial activity coupled with selective anticancer effects. This review highlights frog skin-derived peptides that bridge the gap between antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics, emphasizing their structural diversity, mechanisms of action, and translational potential. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify peptides isolated from diverse anuran species, with emphasis on studies reporting structural features, activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug resistant clinical isolates, anticancer effects, and underlying molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity. Peptides such as dermaseptins, temporins, and brevinins disrupt microbial membranes while triggering apoptosis or necrosis in cancer cells. Key physicochemical characteristics, including net positive charge, amphipathicity, and α-helical conformation, contribute to their dual functionality. Recent advances in peptide engineering and delivery have improved stability, selectivity, and therapeutic efficacy, enhancing the clinical prospects of these naturally occurring bioactive molecules. Frog skin peptides represent promising candidates for the development of next-generation antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics.

This article examines the role of status in the life of Venezuelan migrants (asylum seekers and refugees) living in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). The non-compliance by T&T with international obligations toward the protection of asylum seekers and refugees, places these Venezuelan migrants in a precarious situation due to the intersectional and layered nature of their status in T&T. The consequence of their legal status results in the targeting of Venezuelan migrants for having irregularly entered T&T. Racial and ethnic markers of status, along with sociocultural status are linked to attitudes of xenophobia by T&T nationals toward Venezuelan migrants and reinforce challenges of integration. The totality of these consequences of status on the reality for Venezuelan migrants in T&T undergirds a persistent state of fear. In an attempt to facilitate acceptance in T&T, they hide their accent, primary language spoken, and other aspects of their culture. Their voice is silenced but their stories are told through the advocates who work with them in T&T. In the midst of a hostile environment, these advocates use their status as T&T nationals to illuminate the fear-filled realities of Venezuelan migrants in T&T.

Quarrying causes extensive degradation of soils, vegetation, and ecosystems, and these effects are further exacerbated by severe weather events and climate change. Consequently, abandoned quarries are some of the most difficult environments to rehabilitate due to the loss of critical ecological functions. Soft engineering solutions, such as vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), have been widely used to control erosion, however its potential for water uptake, and application for companion planting in a rehabilitation setting is yet to be explored. Existing literature suggests that vetiver will not only be highly resilient to the harsh environment in abandoned quarries, but it may also improve the hydraulic and microclimatological conditions to aid tree survival and reestablishment. Furthermore, rehabilitation of degraded lands through the extensive root networks of grasses also offers opportunities for enhanced carbon sequestration. This study aims to determine the ecohydrological potential of vetiver grass to improve the growth rate and survival of forest saplings in abandoned quarries at two study locations. Soil moisture probes were installed at depths of 10, 20, and 40 cm throughout hedgerows with and without vetiver of varying ages. Soil temperature, air temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall were recorded, and plant, soil, stream, and rainfall samples were collected for stable isotope analysis. Results show that show that vetiver significantly influenced soil moisture, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) with effects varying by season and site (p