bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can WTO Laws and Institutions Empower Women?
Authors: Bahri Amrita 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This chapter provides a discussion of the recent initiatives and developments in respect of trade and women empowerment within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, the chapter explains how the existing WTO rules and agreements may enhance women empowerment. It also puts forward proposals on additional endeavours WTO members can undertake to enhance the participation of women in international trade. With this focus, this chapter seeks to explore whether the WTO institutions and its rulebook are ready to regulate trade in a manner that can help minimize the negative repercussions trade liberalization and globalization can have on women. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion on the limitations that the WTO may face in delivering concrete negotiated outcomes relating to women’s concerns and the recent multilateral developments that reaffirm such limitations.
Hesitations and Pitfalls that Impede the Inclusion of Women’s Concerns in FTAs
Authors: Bahri Amrita 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
After assessing whether and how trade agreements can impact women in the previous chapter, this chapter provides a discussion on the hesitations that countries can face in using their trade agreements to achieve women empowerment goals and how these hesitations might deter such efforts in the context of trade policies. The chapter identifies eight possible hesitations that countries may have in advancing women’s concerns through trade agreements and it provides a discussion on each of these together with practical examples from several regions. These hesitations include fears of protectionism and cultural imperialism, under-representation of women in policymaking roles, lack of political will, sovereignty cost, cost and probability of compliance, and lack of understanding and data on trade and gender.
Self-care in social work: An imperative or beyond reach?
Authors: Rose Sarah , McCusker Pearse , Mitchell Mary , Roesch-Marsh Autumn , Jian Miao , Petrova Lora 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In recent years, the self-care of social workers has become a focus for research and practice in recognition of the demands of the social work role. As part of a research project to explore ways to embed self-care into a social work degree programme at a Scottish university, a narrative literature review was undertaken to examine existing research on self-care for social work students and practitioners. This article reports on the findings from this review, including the multiplicity of ways in which self-care is defined and conceptualized, how it is practised by social work students and practitioners, and the evidence base for identified approaches to self-care. Broader conceptualizations of self-care are explored, which encompass philosophical constructions of the ‘self’ and the impact of social and cultural norms on self-identity. It is argued that a cultural shift is required in the conceptualization and practice of self-care in social work to include collective and political approaches alongside individual strategies thereby promoting the social justice and anti-oppressive aims of the social work profession. Connections between self-care and ethical practice are highlighted, and further reinforce the need for self-care to be an imperative in social work.
Narrow endemism of Dyckia (Bromeliaceae) species within a vegetative mosaic region in the Midwest Brazil: insights from the phylogeographic patterns
Authors: Aguiar-Melo Camila , Zanella Camila M , Paggi Gecele M , Hirsch Luiza D , Goetze Márcia , Bered Fernanda 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The Brazilian region of Mato Grosso do Sul state, harbours a mosaic of vegetation and ecotones, being an environmentally heterogeneous area that includes different biomes alongside various geological formations. In addition to being conducive to diversification processes, this region provides an ideal habitat for Dyckia. We used genetic diversity and phylogeographic approaches to gain insights into the diversification process of five narrow-range plus one widespread Dyckia species endemic to such a particular region. For that, we sequenced two plastid markers and one nuclear region. The networks obtained revealed a pattern of structuring corresponding to species distributed along the eastern side of the Serra de Maracaju (MCJ), mostly highland environment, and species in the western of the MCJ, mostly in the lowlands. Furthermore, based on our phylogenetic haplotype tree, the core divergence of cpDNA Dyckia species began in the Neogene. Events such as pulses of Andean uplift, subsidence of the Pantanal, higher temperatures, less precipitation, and lower CO2 in the atmosphere, may favour the origin and diversification of certain plants, including Dyckia species. The results obtained here will contribute to understanding the evolutionary history of this genus as well as the midwest Brazilian region, which has been poorly studied.
Blood cortisol and faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations following an ACTH challenge in unanaesthetized brown bears (Ursus arctos)
Authors: Piñero Justin A , Jansen Heiko T , Robbins Charles T , Vincent Ellery P , Lafferty Diana J R 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) are increasingly used to index physiological stress in wildlife. Cortisol and other stress hormones act to mobilize glucose, providing energy for the organism to respond to environmental perturbations. Cortisol, the predominant glucocorticoid (GC) in most mammals, is metabolized by the liver and excreted as FCMs. For FCMs to serve as a meaningful physiological index of stress in brown bears (Ursus arctos), we sought to quantify the relationship between blood cortisol and FCM concentrations. Consequently, we conducted an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge on nine unanaesthetized captive brown bears at the Washington State University Bear Research, Education, and Conservation Center. We collected 10 ml of blood at 0, 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h post-injection to measure changes in blood cortisol concentrations. Faecal samples were collected between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm from 24 h prior to injection through 72 h post ACTH challenge. We found that FCM concentration was positively correlated with blood cortisol concentrations and that peak blood cortisol concentrations occurred between 3 and 6 h following an ACTH challenge, whereas FCMs peaked between 10 and 27 h after injection.
VviWRKY24 promotes β-damascenone biosynthesis by targeting VviNCED1 to increase abscisic acid in grape berries
Authors: Wei Yi , Wang Yachen , Meng Xiao , Yao Xuechen , Xia Nongyu , Zhang Huimin , Meng Nan , Duan Changqing , Pan Qiuhong 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Norisoprenoids, which are produced by the cleavage of various carotenoids, are a class of volatile aroma compounds that widely distributed in plants. In wine, they represent a significant source of floral and fruity aromas. β-Damascenone is the most abundant and important norisoprenoid constituent in grape berries (Vitis vinifera L.) and wines. However, the regulatory mechanism of β-damascenone biosynthesis remains poorly understood. The present study has identified a WRKY transcription factor, VviWRKY24, as a key regulator of β-damascenone accumulation in grape berries. The results of overexpression and gene silencing assays in grape leaves, berries and calli demonstrated that VviWRKY24 altered the flow of norisoprenoid metabolism and influenced the composition ratio of norisoprenoids, particularly enhancing the levels of β-damascenone. The results of the RNA-seq, yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift and dual-luciferase assays provided confirmation that VviWRKY24 promoted abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis by directly upregulating the expression of VviNCED1. The increase in ABA content resulted in further induction of the expression of CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 4B (VviCCD4b) on β-damascenone metabolic pathway. These findings elucidate the upstream regulation of ABA and the promotion of ABA on the accumulation of β-damascenone in grapes. This study contributes to a novel understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of β-damascenone biosynthesis and provides a strategy for improving the aroma quality of grapes and wine.
Investigating Vesicle-Mediated Regulation of Pollen Tube Growth through BFA Inhibition and AS-ODN Targeting of TfRABA4D in Torenia fournieri
Authors: Jin Xingyue , Mizukami Akane G , Okuda Satohiro , Higashiyama Tetsuya 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In flowering plants, pollen tube growth is essential for delivering immotile sperm cells during double fertilization, directly influencing seed yield. This process relies on vesicle-mediated trafficking to drive tip growth and maintain fertility. However, investigating pollen tube growth is challenging in non-model plants due to the lack of transgenic tools. Here, we established a method to transiently inhibit vesicle activity in pollen tubes of the wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri), a classic plant for sexual reproduction studies, using brefeldin A (BFA) and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) targeting key genes. BFA broadly disrupted vesicle gradient homeostasis in T. fournieri pollen tubes, leading to widespread changes in cell wall deposition, ROS distribution, and pollen tube morphology. To assess the role of specific genes, we designed AS-ODNs against TfANX, the sole ANXUR homolog in T. fournieri, which successfully penetrated cell membranes and suppressed TfANX expression. This inhibition impaired pollen tube tip growth, causing pollen tube leakage at the shank region and, in some cases, multiple leakages. Similarly, AS-ODN targeting TfRABA4D, a pollen-specific vesicle regulator, induced a bulging phenotype and disrupted pectin deposition and reduced ROS distribution, mirroring BFA effects. These findings elucidate vesicle-mediated regulation in pollen tube tip growth and introduce an accessible method for genetic manipulation in reproductive research of non-model plants.
Association of the tomato co-chaperone gene Sldnaj harboring a promoter deletion with susceptibility to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)
Authors: Qi Shiming , Meng Liangzhe , Lou Qianqi , Li Yushun , Shen Yuanbo , Zhang Shijie , Wang Xinyu , Zhao Pan , Wang Jin , Wang Bo , Chen Xiubin , Zhang Chunmei , Du Yu , Zhao Jiantao , Zhan Xiangqiang , Liang Yan 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) poses a significant threat as a devastating pathogen to the global production and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Mining novel resistance genes within the tomato germplasm is an effective and environmentally friendly approach to combat TSWV. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying high TSWV resistance in a specific tomato line after experimental inoculation, despite not possessing any known TSWV resistance genes. The candidate causal genes of disease resistance traits were finely mapped by constructing different genetic populations and performing bulk segregant analysis sequencing. This approach identified SlDnaJ (Solyc10g081220) as a key locus potentially regulating TSWV resistance. We determined a structural variant of SlDnaJ (designated Sldnaj) containing a 61-bp promoter sequence deletion that was specifically present in the germplasm of the susceptible M82 tomato plant lines. Sldnaj-knockout transgenic plants were significantly more resistant to TSWV than wild-type plants. Up-regulated expression of Sldnaj affected the salicylic acid/jasmonic acid signaling pathway, which induced and promoted the systemic infection of TSWV in M82 susceptible plants. In summary, this study identified a new candidate TSWV susceptibility gene with a natural deletion variation in tomato. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanism underlying pathogen resistance while offering a target for breeding strategies of tomato with TSWV resistance.
Disease-State Dependent Associations Between Intrinsic Brain Function and Symptoms of Fatigue, Depression, and Anxiety in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Thomann Anne Kerstin , Schmitgen Mike-Michael , Stephan Jule Cara , Knoedler Laura-Louise , Gass Achim , Thomann Philipp Arthur , Ebert Matthias Philip , Reindl Wolfgang , Wolf Robert Christian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Extraintestinal symptoms (EIS) in inflammatory bowel diseases, including fatigue, depression and anxiety, are highly prevalent, but poorly understood. Alterations of brain function may contribute to EIS, but their association with disease activity is unclear. This study analyzed intrinsic neural activity (INA) of individuals with Crohn’s disease (CD) in different disease states and examined the relationship between INA and EIS.

Methods
Patients with CD (n = 92) and healthy controls (n = 41) underwent functional magnetic resonance brain imaging and completed symptom-specific psychometry. Temporal (amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, ALFF) and spatial (regional homogeneity, ReHo) markers of INA were compared between CD and controls and between active (patients with active Crohn’s disease [aCD]) versus remitted (rCD) disease. Regression analyses explored disease-state-dependent associations between INA and EIS.

Results
Patients exhibited aberrant INA in frontotemporal, occipital, and thalamic regions. Patients with aCD exhibited lower ALFF in left subcallosal cortex and inferior temporal gyri compared to rCD. Regional homogeneity in aCD was lower in left medial orbital gyrus and higher in right superior frontal, left inferior temporal, and left precentral gyrus. Compared to rCD, aCD showed higher ALFF predominantly in superior, ventro-, and dorsolateral prefrontal regions. Distinct associations between INA and EIS were detected in patients, particularly in the remitted state.

Conclusions
Intrinsic brain function in patients with CD varies by disease state, with prominent frontal cortex changes in active disease. These brain activity changes are at least partly related to the magnitude of neuropsychiatric symptoms and highlight a role of disturbed brain–gut interactions in the development of EIS especially in rCD.
Improving large language model applications in biomedicine with retrieval-augmented generation: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and clinical development guidelines
Authors: Liu Siru , McCoy Allison B , Wright Adam 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objective
The objectives of this study are to synthesize findings from recent research of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and large language models (LLMs) in biomedicine and provide clinical development guidelines to improve effectiveness.

Materials and Methods
We conducted a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis. The report was created in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 analysis. Searches were performed in 3 databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO) using terms related to “retrieval augmented generation” and “large language model,” for articles published in 2023 and 2024. We selected studies that compared baseline LLM performance with RAG performance. We developed a random-effect meta-analysis model, using odds ratio as the effect size.

Results
Among 335 studies, 20 were included in this literature review. The pooled effect size was 1.35, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.19-1.53, indicating a statistically significant effect (P = .001). We reported clinical tasks, baseline LLMs, retrieval sources and strategies, as well as evaluation methods.

Discussion
Building on our literature review, we developed Guidelines for Unified Implementation and Development of Enhanced LLM Applications with RAG in Clinical Settings to inform clinical applications using RAG.

Conclusion
Overall, RAG implementation showed a 1.35 odds ratio increase in performance compared to baseline LLMs. Future research should focus on (1) system-level enhancement: the combination of RAG and agent, (2) knowledge-level enhancement: deep integration of knowledge into LLM, and (3) integration-level enhancement: integrating RAG systems within electronic health records.
Comparing microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms to evaluate genetic structure and diversity in wolverines (Gulo gulo) across Alaska and western Canada
Authors: Stacy Elise M , Robards Martin D , Jung Thomas S , Kukka Piia M , Sullivan Jack , Hohenlohe Paul A , Waits Lisette P 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The Wolverine (Gulo gulo) is a cold-adapted species of conservation interest because it is sensitive to human development, disturbance, exploitation, and climate warming. Wolverine populations have been studied across much of their distributional range to evaluate patterns of genetic diversity, genetic structure, and gene flow. Little population structure has been detected in northwestern North America with microsatellite loci, but low genomic diversity in wolverines may limit detection of genetic differences in this highly vagile species. Here, we genotyped a relatively large sample of wolverines from across Alaska (US) and adjacent Yukon (Canada) with 12 microsatellite loci (n = 501) and 4,222 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; n = 201) identified using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. We compared the relative ability of our microsatellite and SNP datasets to evaluate population genetic structure, genetic diversity, differentiation, and isolation by distance (IBD). We predicted that the SNP dataset would detect a higher degree of genetic structure and provide more significant support for IBD. We found evidence for multiple genetic clusters, including genetic distinctiveness of wolverines in southeast Alaska and on the Kenai Peninsula. The SNP dataset detected additional genetic clusters that align largely with ecoregions, and the SNP dataset showed stronger evidence of IBD, while the 2 datasets were generally consistent in estimates of genetic diversity and differentiation among regional groups. Our results highlight the importance of genomic methods to assess gene flow in wolverines. Identifying population genetic structure allows an assessment of the potential impacts of conservation threats and is an important precursor for designing population monitoring programs.
Challenges in determining the global burden of non-malignant central nervous system tumors: an analysis of international incidence and mortality data sources
Authors: Dean Frances , Henrikson Hannah , Xu Rixing , Farah Hodo , Lu Dan , Harvey James , Fu Weijia , Pritchett Natalie , Bhakta Nickhill , Moreira Daniel C , Qaddoumi Ibrahim , Girardi Fabio , Vos Theo , Naghavi Mohsen , Finlay Jonathan L , Force Lisa M 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Non-malignant tumors of the CNS contribute substantially to the morbidity and mortality from CNS tumors. It is critical to understand the epidemiology of non-malignant CNS tumors separately from CNS malignancies to inform resource allocation and policy since treatment and prognosis can differ. High quality international data on non-malignant CNS tumor burden are needed to accomplish this goal.

Methods
We assessed cancer registry and vital registration data available to the Global Burden of Disease study by its inclusion of non-malignant CNS tumors, reporting on the availability of data over time and by World Bank income group. We analyzed preliminary age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs), and proportions of CNS tumors by behavior for adults, children, and all ages.

Results
Non-malignant CNS tumors were reported separately in 17·2% (N=66) of registry reports and in aggregate with malignant CNS tumors in 18·0% (N=69) of reports. Only seven low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) had data reporting CNS tumors separately by behavior. Across all ages combined, the median ASIR of non-malignant CNS tumor data was 0·31 (interquartile range: 0·15-0·50) and ASMR was 0·24 (0·10-0·44) per 100,000 in LMICs compared to median ASIR of 3·62 (2·62-4·97) and ASMR of 0·32 (0·16-0·65) in high-income countries (HICs). A larger proportion of incident CNS tumors across were reported as non-malignant in HIC data than LMIC data (p&lt;0.0001).

Conclusions
Our study alludes to current challenges in understanding global non-malignant CNS tumor burden and a need for increased international data collection. Further research is needed to comprehensively investigate opportunities for future data inclusion.
Effect of Plant Versus Animal Protein on Muscle Mass, Strength, Physical Performance, and Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Reid-McCann Rachel J , Brennan Sarah F , Ward Nicola A , Logan Danielle , McKinley Michelle C , McEvoy Claire T 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Context
Dietary protein is recommended for sarcopenia—a debilitating condition of age-related loss of muscle mass and strength that affects 27% of older adults. The effects of protein on muscle health may depend on protein quality.

Objective
The aim was to synthesize randomized controlled trial (RCT) data comparing plant with animal protein for muscle health.

Data Sources
Forty-three eligible RCTs were sourced from Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases.

Data Extraction
Four reviewers (R.J.R.-M., S.F.B., N.A.W., D.L.) extracted data from RCTs (study setting, population, intervention characteristics, outcomes, summary statistics) and conducted quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0.

Data Analysis
Standardized mean differences (SMDs) (95% CIs) were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis and forest plots were generated. I2 statistics were calculated to test for statistical heterogeneity.

Conclusion
Thirty RCTs (70%) were eligible for meta-analysis and all examined muscle mass outcomes. Compared with animal protein, plant protein resulted in lower muscle mass following the intervention (SMD = –0.20; 95% CI: –0.37, –0.03; P = .02), with stronger effects in younger (&lt;60 years; SMD = –0.20; 95% CI: –0.37, –0.03; P = .02) than in older (≥60 years; SMD = –0.05; 95% CI: –0.32, 0.23; P = .74) adults. There was no pooled effect difference between soy and milk protein for muscle mass (SMD = –0.02; 95% CI: –0.20, 0.16; P = .80) (n = 17 RCTs), yet animal protein improved muscle mass compared with non-soy plant proteins (rice, chia, oat, and potato; SMD = –0.58; 95% CI: –1.06, –0.09; P = .02) (n = 5 RCTs) and plant-based diets (SMD = –0.51; 95% CI: –0.91, –0.11; P = .01) (n = 7 RCTs). No significant difference was found between plant or animal protein for muscle strength (n = 14 RCTs) or physical performance (n = 5 RCTs). No trials examined sarcopenia as an outcome. Animal protein may have a small beneficial effect over non-soy plant protein for muscle mass; however, research into a wider range of plant proteins and diets is needed.

Systematic Review Registration
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020188658.