bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The need for a strict delimitation of early tree life stages in vegetation ecology
Authors: Arasa‐Gisbert Ricard , Arroyo‐Rodríguez Víctor , Cervantes‐López Martín de Jesús , Meave Jorge A. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimFor practical and theoretical purposes, ecological studies commonly classify trees into five major life‐cycle stages: seed, seedling, sapling, juvenile and adult. Whereas the seed and adult stages are usually accurately delimited across studies, there are discrepancies and ambiguity in the categorization of seedlings, saplings and juveniles, which can significantly affect the conclusions of community ecology studies. Here we propose a standardized set of criteria intended for community‐level research for delimiting these three stages based on biological and ecological rationales.MethodsWe assessed the relevance of such standardization by conducting a meta‐analysis of the effects of two human‐caused disturbances (defaunation and logging) on each early tree life stage and examining differences in effect sizes and confidence intervals among: (1) studies that match our delimitation criteria, (2) studies that do not match these criteria, and (3) all studies grouped together regardless of the criteria they used.ResultsWe found stronger effects with narrower confidence intervals when considering only the studies that matched our standardized delimitation criteria. In fact, the proportion of significant effects was between 1.7 (defaunation) and 5.4 (logging) times higher in studies matching our delimitation criteria than in studies that do not match them, probably because confidence intervals were 2.3–3.1 times smaller in the former group than in the latter. For logging studies, the direction of the effects changed in 30%–50% of the cases when comparing the results from all data and studies not matching our criteria with the results of the studies matching our criteria, always from non‐significant to significant effects.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the need for an ecologically meaningful categorization of early tree life stages based on standardized measures to increase the confidence, accuracy, reproducibility and generalization in plant biology and community ecological research. Synthesis efforts will particularly benefit from this standardized protocol.
Sheikh Abdullah Al‐Salem's use of soft power and public relations: Transformation from emirate to state
Authors: Johar Hasan A , Dashti Ali A , Malallah Hashim , Al‐Kandari Ali A , AlAbdullah Hamed 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis paper describes the main factors that helped facilitate the transformation of Kuwait from an Emirate ‘Emarah’ (a non‐state) to an internationally recognised state during the rule of Sheikh Abdullah Al‐Salem from 1950 to 1965. It identifies the soft power actions and public relations communication strategies that facilitated the transformation of Kuwait from Sheikhdom to statehood. Sheikh Al‐Salem's strategies set the foundations for Kuwait to become recognised and respected in international affairs, not only in the Middle East but also globally. Data were collected and reviewed from the academic literature, from public records, legal documents, letters, press releases and newspaper and magazine articles as well as songs and TV interviews. The evidence shows that Sheikh Al‐Salem's use of soft power actions and public relations techniques were influential in facilitating the formation of the new state and made Kuwait an important player in the international arena while maintaining Arab nationalism and Islamic values.
Cover crop rotation suppresses root‐knot nematode infection by shaping soil microbiota
Authors: Zhang Hualiang , Guo Dongsheng , Lei Yuting , Lozano‐Torres Jose L. , Deng Ye , Xu Jianming , Hu Lingfei 
Published: October 2024

Summary
Cover crop integration into grain crop rotations is a promising strategy for mitigating nematode‐induced diseases in agriculture. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive.
Here, we first assessed the impact of five commonly used cover crops on the suppression of rice root‐knot nematodes (RKNs). We then chose ryegrass as a model to explore the mechanistic basis of the suppression effect.
Contrary to expectations, while ryegrass rotation significantly enhances soil fertility, this increased fertility has minimal impact on RKN suppression. Furthermore, neither integrated ryegrass residues nor root exudates exhibit direct toxicity towards RKNs. We demonstrated that ryegrass rotation primarily suppresses RKNs by enriching beneficial soil microbiota. By complementing with isolated bacteria strains, we further demonstrated that ryegrass‐enriched bacteria not only directly reduce RKN infectivity and preference, but also activate plant immunity via the OsLRR‐RLK‐MAPK‐WRKY‐JA cascade, thereby diminishing RKN infection.
Our study highlights the crucial role of soil microbiota in plant–nematode interactions, challenging conventional views on the direct effects of cover crops in nematode suppression. It offers a mechanistic understanding of the regulation potential and action modes of cover crops in mitigating nematode diseases, providing valuable insights for sustainable agriculture.
Negotiating social licence to farm at agricultural and pastoral shows in Canterbury, New Zealand
Authors: Edwards Sarah , Patterson Donna , Espig Martin , Vallance Suzanne 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAgricultural and pastoral (A&P) shows have a long history in New Zealand, dating back to the early settler‐colonial period. We approach A&P shows as places where non‐farming publics can experience agricultural activities, which can help to build the trusted relationships needed for a social licence to farm. Drawing on participant observation at five A&P shows across the Canterbury region, we highlight what is visible and invisible in the image of farming life performed through A&P show activities. In doing so, we identify tensions that threaten their future, and opportunities for dialogue that could enhance social licence to farm.
Organisational and Ethical Challenges While Caring for Older People During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Focus Group Study
Authors: Lövenmark Annica , Hammar Lena Marmstål 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, older people in Sweden's residential care facilities and home care services experienced high mortality rates. Prior to the pandemic, the care of older people in Sweden was challenged by organisational and regulatory changes, an ageing population and insufficient increases in staff numbers. These issues led to high staff turnover, increased workloads, stress, burnout and a perceived inability to provide satisfactory care. The pandemic brought about increased job strain, stress, anxiety, depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder among the staff who cared for older people. The aim of this study was therefore to focus on assistant nurses and care aides' experiences of their work environments when caring for older people during the pandemic in Sweden.MethodsThe data were collected through four focus groups interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe results showed that the care staff had to navigate organisational and ethical challenges in poor and unsafe work environments. They lacked supportive leadership in their respective organisations, were neither valued, seen nor heard and were treated as ‘plain doers’. During the pandemic, they were unable to protect or communicate easily with the older people in their care, which had harsh consequences.ConclusionAccording to the participants, the pandemic left them, their working conditions and this part of the care system in a worse situation than before the pandemic. The pandemic thus revealed more unsustainable and unethical working conditions for the staff than before it, including the vulnerability of the older people in their care.Implications for PracticeThe findings highlights the need of policies that ensure adequate training and instruction on medical issues, for managers responsible for overseeing the care of older people. There are also a need of provision of sufficient support for care staff and health care professionals during crises. The findings also underscore the need of feasible and efficient strategies do disseminate care information and address the psychosocial needs of older people.
DNA Hypomethylation Activates the RpMYB2‐Centred Gene Network to Enhance Regeneration of Adventitious Roots
Authors: Hussain Syed Sarfaraz , Li Yapeng , Liu Jie , Abbas Manzar , Li Quanzi , Deng Houyin , Abbas Sammar , Han Kunjin , Han Juan , Sun Yuhan , Li Yun 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTPlants, being immobile, are exposed to environmental adversities such as wind, snow and animals that damage their structure, making regeneration essential for their survival. The adventitious roots (ARs) primarily emerge from a detached explant to uptake nutrients; therefore, the molecular network involved in their regeneration needs to be explored. DNA methylation, a key epigenetic mark, influences molecular pathways, and recent studies suggested its role in regeneration. In our research, the application of 5‐azacytidine (5‐azaC), an inhibitor of DNA methylation, caused the earlier initiation and development of root primordia and consequently enhanced the AR regeneration rate in Robinia psuedoacacia L (black locust). The whole‐genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) revealed a decrease in global methylation and an increase in hypomethylated cytosine sites and regions across all contexts including CHH, CHG and mergedCG caused transcriptional variations in 5‐azaC‐treated sample. The yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) assay revealed a RpMYB2‐centred network of transcriptionally activated transcription factors (TFs) including RpWRKY23, RpGATA23, RpSPL16 and other genes like RpSDP, RpSS1, RpBEN1, RpGULL05 and RpCUV with nuclear localization suggesting their potential co‐localization. Additionally, yeast one‐hybrid (Y1H) assay showed the interaction of RpMYB2 interactors, RpGATA23 and RpWRKY23, with promoters of RpSK6 and RpCDC48, and luciferase reporting assay (LRA) validated their binding with RpSK6. Our results revealed that hypomethylation‐mediated transcriptomic modifications activated the RpMYB2‐centred gene network to enhance AR regeneration in black locust hypocotyl cuttings. These findings pave the way for genetic modification to improve plant regeneration ability and increase wood production while withstanding environmental damage.
A Mycorrhiza‐Induced UDP‐Glucosyl Transferase Negatively Regulates the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis
Authors: Chen Jiadong , Zhao QingChun , Xie Kun , Wang Mengna , Li Lechuan , Zeng Dechao , Wang Qiuli , Wang Shuangshuang , Chen Aiqun , Xu Guohua 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTMost terrestrial plants can establish a reciprocal symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to cope with adverse environmental stresses. The development of AM symbiosis is energetically costly and needs to be dynamically controlled by plants to maintain the association at mutual beneficial levels. Multiple components involved in the autoregulation of mycorrhiza (AOM) have been recently identified from several plant species; however, the mechanisms underlying the feedback regulation of AM symbiosis remain largely unknown. Here, we report that AM colonization promotes the flavonol biosynthesis pathway in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and an AM‐specific UDP‐glucosyltransferase SlUGT132, which probably has the flavonol glycosylation activity, negatively regulates AM development. SlUGT132 was predominantly expressed in the arbuscule‐containing cells, and its knockout or knockdown mutants showed increased soluble sugar content, root colonization level and arbuscule formation. Conversely, overexpression of SlUGT132 resulted in declined soluble sugar content and mycorrhization degree. Metabolomic assay revealed decreased contents of astragalin, tiliroside and cynaroside in slugt132 mycorrhizal roots, but increased accumulation of these flavonoid glycosides in SlUGT132‐overexpressing plant roots. Our results highlight the presence of a novel, SlUGT132‐mediated AOM mechanism, which enable plants to flexibly control the accumulation of soluble sugars and flavonoid glycosides in mycorrhizal roots and modulate colonization levels.
Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy as a Complement to Pharmacological Treatment in the Control of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Adults: A Quasi‐Experimental Study in Lima, Peru
Authors: Chonta‐Jaime Edith , Cortez‐Portas Neydi , Luján López Jorge Eduardo , Villena Zapata Luigi Italo , Acosta‐Enriquez Benicio Gonzalo , Gonzales‐Carhuajulca Doris 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment for improving blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive adult patients at a health center in Lima, Peru.MethodThis study employed a quasi‐experimental design with a quantitative and longitudinal cohort approach. The participants included 50 adults who were diagnosed with hypertension and who regularly attended the health center in the Villa El Salvador district of Lima, Peru. The data were collected using three instruments: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), validated in Peru; a sociodemographic questionnaire; and a BP recording sheet. The Wilcoxon test was utilized to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy on BP control, while the nonparametric Friedman test was used to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy considering confounding factors.ResultsTherapy resulted in favorable outcomes for BP control. After eight sessions, the average systolic BP decreased from 122.8 to 115.0 mm Hg (a reduction of 7%), and the average diastolic BP decreased from 78.1 to 69.9 mm Hg (a reduction of 11%).ConclusionsMindfulness is an effective complementary therapy for controlling BP in hypertensive adults. It also helps reduce confounding factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Witchcraft beliefs and conspiracy theorizing: Evidence from Tanzania and cross‐national datasets
Authors: Kinyondo Abel , Kuzenbayev Nygmetzhan , Pelizzo Riccardo 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis article suggests that since people who believe in magic and those who believe in conspiracy theories produce meaning and make sense of the world by engaging in the same process of signification, they should be more likely to have one such belief if they hold the other. To test this proposition, we perform both macro‐ and micro‐level analyses using, respectively, cross‐national datasets and an original set of Tanzanian data. Our findings from both sets of analyses reveal a strong association between witchcraft beliefs and the belief in conspiracy theories.Related ArticlesGainous, Jason, and Bill Radunovich. 2008. “Religion and Core Values: A Reformulation of the Funnel of Causality.” Politics & Policy 33(1): 154–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2005.tb00213.x.Richey, Sean. 2017. “A Birther and a Truther: The Influence of the Authoritarian Personality on Conspiracy Beliefs.” Politics & Policy 45(3): 465–85. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12206.Tubadji, Annie. 2023. “You'll Never Walk Alone: Loneliness, Religion, and Politico‐economic Transformation.” Politics & Policy 51(4): 661–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12538.
Public perceptions of feminicide and the feminist movement in Mexico
Authors: Chaparro Rucobo Sara J. , Alexander Apryl A. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe misclassification of murders results in the invisibilization and impunity of gender‐based violence. According to Observatorio Cuidadano Nacional del Feminicidio figures in 2024, of the 3408 cases of murdered women in Mexico in 2023, only 827 were classified as feminicides. Since few cases result in punishment, women have protested for justice nationwide. The current study examines the effects of media representation of feminicide cases. Participants were randomly assigned two of four fake newspaper articles about a feminicide case, which varied based on the description of the murdered woman and the intention of the crime. Participants who received the victim‐blaming article endorsed significantly more victim‐blaming attitudes compared to participants who received the non‐victim‐blaming article. Additionally, participants who received the article where the male assailant exhibited a will to harm the victim exhibited significantly more victim‐blaming attitudes. The results highlight the need for journalists to be mindful of the narratives they construct regarding feminicide cases.Related ArticlesAsal, Victor, and Mitchell Brown. 2010. “A Cross‐National Exploration of the Conditions that Produce Interpersonal Violence.” Politics & Policy 38(2): 175–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00234.x.Bingham, Natasha. 2016. “Fighting for Our Cause: The Impact of Women's NGOs on Gender Policy Adoption in Four Former Soviet Republics.” Politics & Policy 44(2): 294–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12155.Denis, Claude. 2007. “Canadians in Trouble Abroad: Citizenship, Personal Security, and North American Regionalization.” Politics & Policy 35(4): 648–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00078.x.
Daniel Bar‐Tal, on the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict, before and after October 7, 2023: In conversation with James Liu and Veronica Hopner
Authors: Bar‐Tal Daniel 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe Israel‐Palestinian conflict is one of the most well‐known and polarizing issues that has impacts on societies, and institutions beyond Israel, and Palestine. This interview with prominent social scientist Daniel Bar‐Tal, Professor Emeritus, School of Education, Tel Aviv University, focused on the situation in Israel and Palestine following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. Interviews such as this are an academic inquiry drawing on the expert analysis of a scholar‐activist, grounded in research and theory. As such an analysis, Bar‐Tal explains the causes of this war, its context, its process, the contribution of each side to its escalation, and its effects on the possibilities of peaceful conflict resolution between Israeli Jews and Palestinians. He describes the current situation as governed by considerations of realpolitik, contestations over what defines antisemitism, and whether Israeli conduct in Gaza constitutes genocide or ethnic cleansing. This interview enables the application of Bar‐Tal's systematic and holistic Theory of Intractable Conflict to the current crisis to interrogate how ethos of conflict, collective memory, and collective emotional orientation dynamically interconnect to form a culture of conflict. But also, how these elements can also be addressed for solutions to enable peaceful resolutions.
Exploring the effectiveness of virtual reality in combating misinformation on climate change
Authors: Erisen Elif , Yildirim Funda , Duran Emirhan , Şar Batuhan , Kalkan Irmak 
Published: October 2024

AbstractOur research examines the potential of immersive virtual reality (VR) in countering climate change misinformation. By creating VR simulations of future climate scenarios, we visually depict the potential impacts of rising temperatures and sea level rise on communities and ecosystems. Our objective is to determine whether immersive VR can achieve more effective correction outcomes compared to social media. We employ a mixed experimental design, manipulating the provision of correction through either VR or social media. We measure the impact of these interventions on belief in and skepticism toward climate change, and on inferential reasoning at three different points over a month. Furthermore, we explore the effectiveness of human actors and the level of presence in the VR experience as strategies to combat climate change misinformation. We find that VR conditions might lead to increased certainty in the belief that climate change is really happening and lowered skepticism toward the clarity of the effects of climate change. Moreover, we find significant differences in the heart rate (HR) of the participants in the VR conditions. The use of avatars in VR environments may contribute to heightened HR variability during misinformation correction, potentially due to increased emotional engagement and cognitive load.
Meta‐analysis of SnRK2 gene overexpression in response to drought and salt stress
Authors: Liu Haixun , Wang Xian , Zhu Xiaolin , Zhang Dongfang , Wang Yizhen , Wang Tianjie , Chen Lifei , Wang Baoqiang , Wei Xiaohong 
Published: October 2024

AbstractSNF1‐RELATED KINASE 2 (SnRK2) plays a crucial role in plants' stress response. Although studies have reported that the overexpression of several SnRK2 family members in different plants leads to improved stress tolerance, it is difficult to elucidate the mechanisms by which SnRK2s regulate stress tolerance due to the variability of experimental variables in these studies. Therefore, we used meta‐analysis to comprehensively analyze 22 parameters that can reflect drought tolerance and salinity tolerance in SnRK2s‐transformed plants and to explore the effects that different experimental variables between studies have on the relevant plant parameters. The results showed that the overexpression of SnRK2s mainly improved plants' drought and salinity tolerance by reducing their osmotic stress and oxidative damage, improving photosynthesis and other biochemical and physiological processes. Out of the 22 physiological parameters, 17 and 19 were significantly affected by drought and salt stress, respectively, and 10 indicators were also significantly changed under non‐stress conditions. Under salt stress, the cell membrane permeability among these parameters shows the most significant changes, increasing by 506.57% in SnRK2‐overexpressing plants compared to wild type (WT). Therefore, although plants overexpressing SnRK2s respond positively to both drought and salt stress, they demonstrated greater tolerance to salt stress. In addition, among the detected regulatory variables, donor‐acceptor type, promoter type, stress type, experimental medium, and duration all affected the extent of SnRK2s overexpression and affected the physiological characteristics of the transgenic plants. Also, different stress conditions (salt, drought stress) led to different degrees of transformation. These studies provide new research directions for studying crop stress tolerance and help to better explore the functions played by SnRK2s in external plant stresses.
The function of an apple ATP‐dependent Phosphofructokinase gene MdPFK5 in regulating salt stress
Authors: Zhang Li‐Li , Zhu Hao , Chen Chao‐Yan , Shang Na‐Na , Sheng Li‐Xia , Yu Jian‐Qiang 
Published: October 2024

AbstractSalt stress severely affects the growth and yield of apples (Malus domestica Borkh). Although salt‐tolerant genes have been extensively studied, documentation on the role of the ATP‐dependent phosphofructokinase gene MdPFK5 in salt stress is limited. This study conducted an evolutionary tree and three‐dimensional structure analysis of the PFK gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana and MdPFK (MD01G1037400), revealing a close phylogenetic relationship between MdPFK (MD01G1037400) and AtPFK5. Given the similarity in their protein tertiary structures, MdPFK was designated as MdPFK5, suggesting functional similarities with AtPFK5. Further investigation revealed elevated expression levels of MdPFK5 in apple leaves and flowers, particularly showing significant upregulation 120 days after blooming and differential expression beginning at 3 hours of salt stress. Overexpression of MdPFPK5 conferred salt tolerance in both apple calli and transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, NaCl treatment promoted soluble sugar accumulation in apple calli and transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing MdPFK5. This study provides new insights into the salt tolerance function of MdPFK5.