bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From Excitement to Anxiety: Exploring English as a Foreign Language Learners' Emotional Experiences in the Artificial Intelligence‐Powered Classrooms
Authors: Xin Zhonggui , Derakhshan Ali 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in second/foreign language education has recently gained a bulk of attention. However, the emotional experiences of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in AI‐mediated classes have been ignored. To fill this gap, the present qualitative study examined 34 Chinese EFL students' perceptions of AI‐induced emotions and regulation strategies. A semi‐structured interview and a narrative frame were used to collect the data. The gathered data were thematically analysed through the latest version of MAXQDA software (v. 2023). The findings revealed that Chinese EFL students had mostly experienced positive emotions of ‘motivation’, ‘excitement’, ‘engagement’ and ‘confidence’. On the negative side, they reported experiencing ‘frustration’, ‘anxiety’ and ‘stress’ more frequently in their classes. Furthermore, the study indicated that the participants had used six strategies, namely ‘seeking help from others’, ‘shifting attention’, ‘cognitive change’, ‘persistent practice’, ‘staying positive’ and ‘suppression’ to regulate their AI‐induced emotions. The findings are discussed and implications are provided for EFL students and educators to understand the emotional aspect of AI injection into L2 education.
The Evolution, Present Practices, and Future Directions of Early Childhood Education and Care in China
Authors: Jing Zhang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTEarly childhood education and care (ECEC) is one of the key challenges facing China. This paper reviews the development of ECEC in China and its challenges. Substantial developments and policy reforms related to ECEC since the 1980s have been examined, and the practices in China have been highlighted. The review reveals that the ECEC system has evolved significantly in China over a while, both in policy and practice. However, most of the significant changes in the ECEC system have been adopted from Western practices. This adaptation has created several problems in the ECEC structure, as these policies were based on a Western cultural context. Moreover, despite continuous efforts from the government, disparities in ECEC services are evident in urban and rural parts of the country. The quality of the ECEC system is another concern for China. Childcare services (0–3) in China are also inadequate, and fewer policies in the past have tried to focus on this aspect of ECEC. The study concludes with suggestions based on the review analysis.
Music Education and Modern Software: How Using Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) Software Influences Teaching Academic Singing?
Authors: Zhang Jinhe 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis study explores how well DAW software works for students' ‘Academic Singing’ training in raising their motivation and academic performance. The practical portion included a case study based on the BandLab DAW system, including its educational analysis. A five‐month experiment was conducted with 150 s‐year [Harbin Normal University] Conservatory students in the ‘Academic Singing’ discipline to assess the usage of BandLab. Twenty instructors of the Music Performance Basics course were further interviewed. The collected data were analysed and structured using the key trend measurement method. It was discovered that no DAW technology was previously used as part of the ‘Academic Singing’ discipline. Additionally, 52% of students began using BandLab for extra practice 2–3 times per week. Every day, 25% of students participated in the programme. Teachers reported an increase in interest from 84% of students. The findings can be used to examine the use of DAW technology in participatory disciplines.
Increased resilience and a regime shift reversal through repeat mass coral bleaching
Authors: Graham Nicholas A. J. , Wilson Shaun K. , Benkwitt Cassandra E. , Bonne Rodney , Govinden Rodney , Robinson James P. W. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEcosystems are substantially changing in response to ongoing climate change. For example, coral reefs have declined in coral dominance, with some reefs undergoing regime shifts to non‐coral states. However, reef responses may vary through multiple heat stress events, with the rarity of long‐term ecological datasets rendering such understanding uncertain. Assessing coral reefs across the inner Seychelles islands using a 28‐year dataset, we document faster coral recovery from the 2016 than the 1998 marine heatwave event. Further, compositions of benthic and fish communities were more resistant to change following the more recent heat stress, having stabilized in a persistent altered state, with greater herbivory, following the 1998 climate disturbance. Counter to predictions, a macroalgal‐dominated reef that had regime‐shifted following the 1998 disturbance is transitioning to a coral‐dominated state following the 2016 heat stress. Collectively, these patterns indicate that reef systems may be more resilient to repeat heatwave events than anticipated.
Evidence for bottom‐up effects of moth abundance on forest birds in the north‐boreal zone alone
Authors: Yazdanian Mahtab , Kankaanpää Tuomas , Merckx Thomas , Huikkonen Ida‐Maria , Itämies Juhani , Jokimäki Jukka , Lehikoinen Aleksi , Leinonen Reima , Pöyry Juha , Sihvonen Pasi , Suuronen Anna , Välimäki Panu , Kivelä Sami M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractInsect declines are raising alarms regarding cascading effects on ecosystems, especially as many insectivorous bird populations are also declining. Here, we leveraged long‐term monitoring datasets across Finland to investigate trophic dynamics between functional groups of moths and birds in forested habitats. We reveal a positive association between the biomass of adult‐ or egg‐overwintering moths and the biomasses of resident and long‐distance migrant birds reliant on caterpillars as breeding‐season food in the north‐boreal zone. Contrary to expectations, similar signs of moth bottom‐up effects on insectivorous birds were not observed in other Finnish regions or for moths overwintering in other life stages. In fact, some negative associations between moths and birds were even detected, possibly attributable to opposite abundance trends. While supporting the existence of bottom‐up effects in the north‐boreal zone, our study emphasizes the need for further investigation to elucidate moth‐mediated trophic dynamics in areas characterized by the insect decline.
Causes and consequences of divorce in a long‐lived socially monogamous bird
Authors: Speelman Frigg J. D. , Burke Terry , Komdeur Jan , Richardson David S. , Dugdale Hannah L. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn socially monogamous species, sexual selection not only depends on initial mate choice but also mate switching. To date, studies lack assessment of (1) differences between passive (widowhood) and active (divorce) mate switching, (2) longer term fitness consequences (beyond the season post‐divorce) and (3) how age masks reproductive costs and benefits of divorce. We investigated causes and short‐ and long‐term consequences of mate switching and their age dependence using longitudinal data on Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis). Young and old males, but not females, divorced most frequently. Divorce propensity declined with pair‐bond duration and reproductive success in both sexes, but mate switching did not incur short‐term costs. Divorcees did not gain short‐ or long‐term fitness benefits compared to non‐divorcees. Rather, female early‐life divorcees that lost their breeding position had lower survival than females that never divorced. Divorce is likely a strategy to escape poor‐quality partnerships, but not all divorcees benefit from divorcing.
Long‐term studies should provide structure for inclusive education and professional development
Authors: Czapanskiy Max F. , Arcila Hernández Lina M. , Munro Cara , Garfield Isabella , Bastidas Adrien , Payne Allison R. , Ong Kelli , Storm Natalie A. , Adachi Taiki , Hale Conner M. , Brown Astarte , Robinson Patrick W. , Stewart Madeleine , Abdel‐Raheem Salma T. , Zavaleta Erika , Beltran Roxanne S. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractLong‐term studies are critical for ecological understanding, but they are underutilized as inclusive opportunities for training ecologists. We use our perspective from the Año Nuevo elephant seal programme along with surveys from community members to propose that long‐term studies could be better leveraged to promote inclusive education and professional development in ecology. Drawing on our experiences as mentors and mentees, we demonstrate how long‐term studies can use their resources, including rich data, robust logistics and extensive professional networks, to improve recruitment and retention of diverse groups of trainees. However, practices such as unpaid labour and unclear expectations limit the utility of these resources for diversifying ecology. We discuss how we have structured our long‐term study to create more inclusive and equitable training opportunities. Acknowledging these transformations required substantial resources, we highlight funding sources and organizational partnerships that can promote investment in long‐term studies for broadening participation.
The Demographic Basis of Population Growth: A 32‐Year Transient Life Table Response Experiment
Authors: Dobson F. Stephen , Koons David N. , Saraux Claire , Tamian Anouch , Oli Madan K. , Viblanc Vincent A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIt has recently been recognised that populations are rarely in demographic equilibrium, but rather in a ‘transient’ state. To examine how transient dynamics influence our empirical understanding of the links between changes in demographic rates and population growth, we conducted a 32‐year study of Columbian ground squirrels. The population increased rapidly for 10 years, followed by a 2‐year crash, and a gradual 19‐year recovery. Transient life table response experiment (LTRE) analysis showed that demographic stochasticity accounted for approximately one‐fourth of the variation in population growth, leaving the majority to be explained by environmental influences. These relatively small rodents appeared to have a slow pace of life. But unlike the general pattern for large mammals with slow life histories, ground squirrel survival did not exhibit low variation associated with environmental ‘buffering’; instead, survival varied substantially over time and contributed substantially (78%) to changes in abundance over the long‐term study, with minor contributions from reproduction and unstable stage structure.
Shorebirds Are Shrinking and Shape‐Shifting: Declining Body Size and Lengthening Bills in the Past Half‐Century
Authors: McQueen A. , Klaassen M. , Tattersall G. J. , Ryding S. ,   Victorian Wader Study Group,   Australasian Wader Studies Group, Atkinson R. , Jessop R. , Hassell C. J. , Christie M. , Fröhlich A. , Symonds M. R. E. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAnimals are predicted to shrink and shape‐shift as the climate warms, declining in size, while their appendages lengthen. Determining which types of species are undergoing these morphological changes, and why, is critical to understanding species responses to global change, including potential adaptation to climate warming. We examine body size and bill length changes in 25 shorebird species using extensive field data (> 200,000 observations) collected over 46 years (1975–2021) by community scientists. We show widespread body size declines over time, and after short‐term exposure to warmer summers. Meanwhile, shorebird bills are lengthening over time but shorten after hot summers. Shrinking and shape‐shifting patterns are consistent across ecologically diverse shorebirds from tropical and temperate Australia, are more pronounced in smaller species and vary according to migration behaviour. These widespread morphological changes could be explained by multiple drivers, including adaptive and maladaptive responses to nutritional stress, or by thermal adaptation to climate warming.
Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Substantial Genetic Structure and Evidence of Local Adaptation in Alaskan Red King Crab
Authors: St. John Carl A. , Timm Laura E. , Gruenthal Kristen M. , Larson Wesley A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTHigh‐latitude ocean basins are the most productive on earth, supporting high diversity and biomass of economically and socially important species. A long tradition of responsible fisheries management has sustained these species for generations, but modern threats from climate change, habitat loss, and new fishing technologies threaten their ecosystems and the human communities that depend on them. Among these species, Alaska's most charismatic megafaunal invertebrate, the red king crab, faces all three of these threats and has declined substantially in many parts of its distribution. Managers have identified stock structure and local adaptation as crucial information to help understand biomass declines and how to potentially reverse them, with regulation and possible stock enhancement. We generated low‐coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) data on red king crabs from five regions: The Aleutian Islands, eastern Bering Sea, northern Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Southeast Alaska. We used data from millions of genetic markers generated from lcWGS to build on previous studies of population structure in Alaska that used < 100 markers and to investigate local adaptation. We found each of the regions formed their own distinct genetic clusters, some containing subpopulation structure. Most notably, we found that the Gulf of Alaska and eastern Bering Sea were significantly differentiated, something that had not been previously documented. Inbreeding in each region was low and not a concern for fisheries management. We found genetic patterns consistent with local adaptation on several chromosomes and one particularly strong signal on chromosome 100. At this locus, the Gulf of Alaska harbors distinct genetic variation that could facilitate local adaptation to their environment. Our findings support the current practice of managing red king crab at a regional scale, and they strongly favor sourcing broodstock from the target population if stock enhancement is considered to avoid genetic mismatch.
Longevity, Not Stream Flow, Explains Variation in Freshwater Mussel Growth Rates Across Four Rivers
Authors: Brunetz Ian A. , Lopez Jonathan W. , Hopper Garrett W. , González Irene Sánchez , Atkinson Carla L. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are among the most imperilled freshwater taxa. Yet, there is a lack of basic life history information for mussels, including data on their growth and longevity. These data help inform conservation efforts, as they can indicate whether species or populations may be vulnerable to decline and inform which species may be best adapted to certain habitats. We aimed to quantify growth and longevity in five mussel species from four river systems in the southeastern United States and test whether growth was related to stream flow. We also interpreted our findings in the context of life history theory.

To model mussel growth and longevity, we cut radial thick sections from the shells of mussels and used high‐resolution photography to image the shells. We identified annual growth rings (annuli) and used von Bertalanffy growth models to estimate growth rate (K) and maximum age (Amax) across 13 mussel populations. We then used biochronological methods to remove age‐related variation in annual growth in each shell. We tested whether annual growth was correlated with stream flow using discharge‐based statistics.

We found substantial variation in K and Amax among species and among populations of the same species. K was negatively related to Amax. We did not find consistent correlations between annual growth and stream flow.

Our estimates of K and Amax align with previous studies on closely related species and populations. They also match the eco‐evolutionary prediction that growth rate and longevity are negatively related. Life history theory predicts that short‐lived species with higher growth rates should be better adapted to environments with cyclical disturbance regimes, whereas longer‐lived species with low growth rates should be better adapted to stable environments. The lack of correlation between annual growth and stream flow suggests that mussel growth may be limited by other factors in our study system.

While some species seem to have relatively narrow ranges for growth and longevity, other species show wide variation among populations. This highlights the need for species‐ and population‐specific conservation efforts. Fundamental life history information can be integrated with other species traits to predict how freshwater taxa may respond to ecological threats.
Sward Species Diversity Impacts on Pasture Productivity and Botanical Composition Under Grazing Systems
Authors: Jezequel A. , Delaby L. , Finn J. A. , McKay Z. C. , Horan B. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis research investigated the effect of intensive grazing on the annual and seasonal yield and botanical composition of three sward types: (1) Lolium perenne monoculture sward receiving 250 kg nitrogen (N) ha−1 year−1 (PRG 250 N); (2)
Lolium perenne—Trifolium repens
sward receiving 125 kg N ha−1 year−1 (PRGWC 125 N) and (3) a multispecies sward comprising eight species receiving 125 kg N ha−1 year−1 (MSS 125 N). Each sward type had its own farmlet of 20 paddocks and comprising 47 cows on 18.7 ha with each group of cows remaining on the same farmlet for the 2‐year study. Total yield (13,015 kg ha−1 year−1 of dry matter forage) did not differ among the three sward types, despite a substantial difference in chemical N fertiliser between PRG 250 N and both PRGWC 125 N and MSS 125 N. Average botanical composition of PRG 250 N comprised 994 g kg−1 grasses and 6 g kg−1 weeds. The PRGWC 125 N sward had 864, 134 and 2 g kg−1 of grasses, white clover and weeds, respectively, while the MSS 125 N had 671, 144, 180 and 5 g kg−1 of grasses, legumes, forbs and weeds, respectively. Despite considerable variation in the component species, nutritive values were relatively unaffected by sward type. Lower organic matter digestibility was observed on MSS 125 N compared to PRG 250 N and PRGWC 125 N (788, 801 and 799 g kg−1, respectively). These results suggest that increasing sward diversity and reducing the use of chemical N fertiliser can maintain grass yield and nutritive value.
The Association of Spousal Relationship Quality and Social Support With Maternal‐Infant Bonding: Moderating Roles of Maternal Age and Paternal Occupation
Authors: Siebach Kirsten F. , Park Soim , Mansoor Maryam , Atif Najia , Zaidi Ahmed , Rahman Atif , Malik Abid , Surkan Pamela J. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis study examined associations between spousal relationship quality and social support with mother‐infant bonding among women in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (Intervention Arm: n = 352, Mage = 25.1, SD = 4.7; Control Arm: n = 358, Mage = 25.3, SD = 4.5). We used cross‐sectional data from the Happy Mother‐Healthy Baby intervention study, a randomized controlled trial conducted between 2019 and 2022. Women were enrolled at their first prenatal visit (at or before 22 weeks of gestation) and followed until 6‐week postpartum. Spousal relationship quality, social support, and bonding were assessed at 6‐week postpartum. Linear regression analyses found relationship quality (b = 3.85) and social support (b = 1.99) were positively associated with bonding. Analyses were adjusted for mother's education, treatment group, exposure to perinatal intimate partner violence, postpartum depressive symptoms, husband's education, husband's occupation, infant birthweight, and preterm birth. Husband's occupation (unskilled/unemployed vs. professional/skilled) significantly moderated the relationship between social support (b = 3.27 vs. b = 1.37) and relationship quality (b = 5.36 vs. b = 2.95) with bonding. Maternal age (≤ 25 years old vs. > 25 years old) significantly moderated the association between relationship quality and bonding (b = 4.96 vs. b = 2.49). Results suggest that interventions focused on improving social support and relationship quality among anxious women and their spouses could improve maternal‐infant bonding. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03880032; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03880032
Estimation of the Impact of Climate Warming on Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Phenology From Observations and Modelling in the Arid Region of Northwest China
Authors: Liu Lu , Chen Xi 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTClimate warming has induced shifts in the phenological period and thus affected cultivar selection and effective crop management. Particularly, the great climate warming in the dry environment could have more effects on the phenology of spring wheat with the distinct cycle of biological events during growth. In this study, the daily observations of spring wheat phenology and meteorology from 1991 to 2018 were used to analyse changes in phenology concerning accumulated temperature in the Hexi Corridor region of Northwest China. Five crop growth models (WheatGrow, WOFOST, CropSyst, CERES‐Wheat and APSIM‐Wheat) were selected to evaluate the reliability of the phenological stage simulations in the study region. Results show that in the past 28 years, the annual accumulated temperature in the whole growth period from sowing to maturity increased by 3.08°C–8.35°C/a at three sites of the region. Climate warming shortened the phenological period at rates of 3.56–4.49 days/10a, mostly attributed to the shortened duration from anthesis to maturity. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the shortened phenological period cannot be simply expressed by the linear correlation between the length of phenological phases and accumulated temperature in the respective growth stages. The five wheat growth models after parameter validation can generally capture the phenological dates, and WOFOST performed best at the three sites. However, when the calibrated model was used for simulations of long‐term variations of phenological dates, the accumulated errors in simulations could result in large deviations of the predicted physiological change to the observations.
Examining the Impact of Green Technology Application on Firm Performance: An Empirical Study Utilizing With the Meta‐SEM Method
Authors: Liu Weihua , Cao Yuenan , Chan Hing Kai , Lim Ming K. , Tang Ou , He Yang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTWith increasing resource shortages and environmental pollution, firms are increasingly relying on green technology application (GTA) to improve both environmental and financial performance. However, previous research found that the impact of GTA on both types of performance can be either positive or negative. Therefore, to understand the underlying mechanisms, we employ the meta‐SEM method to explore the impact of GTA on environmental performance and financial performance, considering the natural resource‐based view and socio‐technical system theory. A meta‐analysis is conducted to obtain the correlation matrix and establish a structural equation model to test the hypotheses. The results show that, first, it is difficult for firms to directly promote performance from GTA. GTA can only promote environmental performance through green innovation and green cooperation, and the mediating effect of green innovation is greater. Second, despite the direct negative impact of GTA on financial performance, it can promote financial performance through green innovation and the chain path. Third, internal environmental management can enhance all paths. Regarding the total effect, GTA has a significant positive impact on performance in both the environmental and financial dimensions. These results enrich extant knowledge on the relationship between GTA and firm performance.