Understanding the Impacts of Online Mental Health Peer Support Forums: Realist Synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Online forums are widely used for mental health peer support. However, evidence of their safety and effectiveness is mixed. Further research focused on articulating the contexts in which positive and negative impacts emerge from forum use is required to inform innovations in implementation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a realist program theory to explain the impacts of online mental health peer support forums on users. METHODS: We conducted a realist synthesis of literature published between 2019 and 2023 and 18 stakeholder interviews with forum staff. RESULTS: Synthesis of 102 evidence sources and 18 interviews produced an overarching program theory comprising 22 context-mechanism-outcome configurations. Findings indicate that users' perceptions of psychological safety and the personal relevance of forum content are foundational to ongoing engagement. Safe and active forums that provide convenient access to information and advice can lead to improvements in mental health self-efficacy. Within the context of welcoming and nonjudgmental communities, users may benefit from the opportunity to explore personal difficulties with peers, experience reduced isolation and normalization of mental health experiences, and engage in mutual encouragement. The program theory highlights the vital role of moderators in creating facilitative online spaces, stimulating community engagement, and limiting access to distressing content. A key challenge for organizations that host mental health forums lies in balancing forum openness and anonymity with the need to enforce rules, such as restrictions on what users can discuss, to promote community safety. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first realist synthesis of online mental health peer support forums. The novel program theory highlights how successful implementation depends on establishing protocols for enhancing safety and strategies for maintaining user engagement to promote forum sustainability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022352528; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=352528.

Rhizosphere microbiomes of resurrection plants Ramonda serbica and R. nathaliae: comparative analysis and search for bacteria mitigating drought stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Rhizosphere microbial communities play an important role in maintaining the health and productivity of the plant host. The rhizobacteria Pseudomonas putida P2 of Ramonda serbica and Bacillus cereus P5 of R. nathaliae were selected for treatment of the Belija wheat cultivar because of their plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties. Compared to the non-treated drought-stressed plants, the plants treated with rhizobacteria showed increased activity of the two major antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Plants treated with the B. cereus P5 strain exhibited higher proline content under drought stress, suggesting that proline accumulation depends on the relative water content (RWC) status of the plants studied. Inoculation of wheat seeds with the P. putida P2 strain improved water status by increasing RWC and alleviating oxidative stress by reducing H2O2 and malondialdehyde concentrations in plants exposed to severe drought, possibly also helping plants to overcome drought through its 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity. Analysis of data from Next Generation sequencing (NGS) revealed that the dominant bacterial taxa in the rhizosphere of resurrection plants R. serbica and R. nathaliae were extremophilic, thermotolerant, Vicinamibacter silvestris, Chthoniobacter flavus, and Gaiella occulta. From the fungi detected Penicillium was the most abundant in both samples, while Fusarium and Mucor were present only in the rhizosphere of R. serbica and the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium, and Tolypocladiumu only in the rhizosphere of R. nathaliae. The fungal communities varied among plants, suggesting a stronger environmental influence than plant species. Our study demonstrates the importance of in vivo experiments to confirm the properties of PGP bacteria and indicates that the rhizosphere of resurrection plants is a valuable source of unique microorganisms that can be used to improve the drought stress tolerance of crops.

Improving Peer Online Forums (iPOF): protocol for a realist evaluation of peer online mental health forums to inform practice and policy.

INTRODUCTION: Peer online mental health forums are commonly used and offer accessible support. Positive and negative impacts have been reported by forum members and moderators, but it is unclear why these impacts occur, for whom and in which forums. This multiple method realist study explores underlying mechanisms to understand how forums work for different people. The findings will inform codesign of best practice guidance and policy tools to enhance the uptake and effectiveness of peer online mental health forums. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In workstream 1, we will conduct a realist synthesis, based on existing literature and interviews with approximately 20 stakeholders, to generate initial programme theories about the impacts of forums on members and moderators and mechanisms driving these. Initial theories that are relevant for forum design and implementation will be prioritised for testing in workstream 2.Workstream 2 is a multiple case study design with mixed methods with several online mental health forums differing in contextual features. Quantitative surveys of forum members, qualitative interviews and Corpus-based Discourse Analysis and Natural Language Processing of forum posts will be used to test and refine programme theories. Final programme theories will be developed through novel triangulation of the data.Workstream 3 will run alongside workstreams 1 and 2. Key stakeholders from participating forums, including members and moderators, will be recruited to a Codesign group. They will inform the study design and materials, refine and prioritise theories, and codesign best policy and practice guidance. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was granted by Solihull Research Ethics Committee (IRAS 314029). Findings will be reported in accordance with RAMESES (Realist And MEta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards) guidelines, published as open access and shared widely, along with codesigned tools. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN 62469166; the protocol for the realist synthesis in workstream one is prospectively registered at PROSPERO CRD42022352528.

Concentration and mobility of trace elements (Li, Ba, Sr, Ag, Hg, B) and macronutrients (Ca, Mg, K) in soil-orchid system on different bedrock types.

The mobility of chemical elements in the soil-orchid system has been poorly studied. The aim of this study is to evaluate the uptake and mobility of several trace (Li, Ba, Sr, Ag, Hg, and B) and macronutrients (Ca, Mg, and K) in the orchid Anacamptis morio (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase from soils in western Serbia. The sampling sites are characterized by three different bedrock types-cherts, limestones, and serpentines, which are the source of the significant chemical differences in the elemental status of the soil and plant tissues. The four-step Community Bureau of Reference sequential extraction procedure was used to determine the distribution of fractions and predict their potential phytoavailability. The orchid and soil samples were analyzed for total elemental content analysis using ICP-OES. The greatest potential for plant availability was determined for Ba and Sr, representing about 80% of the total soil content. More than 40% of Li in the soils was found to be potentially phytoavailable. Significant correlations were found between the total content of Li, B, and Sr in soils. Between 38 and 60% of Li content and more than 80% of Ba and Sr content were determined to be potentially phytoavailable by sequential analysis. The highest bioconcentration factor (> 1) was determined in the case of B and Sr for all orchid organs, while translocation factor for Li was highest in tubers and leaves. The studied elements were mainly stored in tubers and roots, indicating the exclusion strategy of A. morio as a metal tolerance mechanism. The data obtained showed significant differences in metal content in soils and plants originating from sites with different parent materials, suggesting that bedrock type and associated soil properties are important factors that determine chemical element mobility and uptake.

Metabolomics study of the desiccation and recovery process in the resurrection plants Ramonda serbica and R. nathaliae.

INTRODUCTION: Ramonda serbica and R. nathaliae are resurrection plants that have the remarkable ability to survive the complete desiccation of their vegetative organs (i.e. leaves, stem, roots) during periods of drought and rapidly revive when rewatered and rehydrated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate metabolic changes in R. serbica and R. nathaliae during their desiccation and recovery process METHODS: Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H-NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate data analysis was utilised to identify the metabolomes of the plants from 90 biological replicates. RESULTS: Sucrose and the polyphenolic glycoside myconoside were predominant in almost equal amounts in all samples studied, regardless of their water content at sampling. During the dehydration process, a decrease in the relative content of fructose, galactose, and galactinol was observed while the contents of those metabolites were preserved in the partially rehydrated plants. Raffinose and myo-inositol were accumulated in dry samples. CONCLUSION: Using 1 H-NMR and GC-MS as two complementary analytical platforms provided a more complete picture of the metabolite composition for investigation of the desiccation and recovery process in resurrection plants.

Phytoremediation potential and physiological response of Miscanthus × giganteus cultivated on fertilized and non-fertilized flotation tailings.

A 2-year field experiment was carried out with aim to assess the phytoremediation potential of Miscanthus × giganteus cultivated on the flotation tailings and to evaluate the effects of mineral NPK fertilizer on metal accumulation and plant physiological parameters and growth. Flotation tailings of the mine Rudnik (Serbia) are burdened with Pb, Cu and Zn and cause heavy metal pollution and deterioration of the surrounding ecosystems. In the second year of growth, plants retained the major portion of metals within their roots, with bioconcentration factor > 1 for Cu and Zn and < 1 for Pb. Their translocation factors were far below 1, showing that M. × giganteus acts as excluder of Cu, Zn and especially Pb. Higher amounts of Pb and Zn in leaves reduced the photosynthetic rate and total antioxidative capacity, but increased lipid peroxidation level. Changes at physiological level resulted in pronounced leaf senescence, reduced plant growth rate and annual biomass yield. Fertilization enhanced metal uptake by plant roots, but had no effect on their translocation to leaves. It improved chlorophyll a content, potential efficiency of Photosystem II photochemistry and biomass yield. Overall results indicate that M. × giganteus can be cultivated on the abandoned flotation tailings and that fertilization had positive effects on its physiology and growth.

Understanding biogeographical patterns in the western Balkan Peninsula using environmental niche modelling and geostatistics in polymorphic Edraianthus tenuifolius.

The Balkan Peninsula represents one of the three southern European glacial refugia where biodiversity persisted throughout the climatically unstable Quaternary. This study considered the 'refugia within refugia' model, which assumes the environmental heterogeneity over time and space in larger refugia. To better understand patterns shaped during the Quaternary climatic oscillations, the present and last glacial maximum (LGM) environmental conditions and current morphological variability of Edraianthus tenuifolius, an endemic plant of the western Balkans with a well-known therphical structure, were considered. Potential present and LGM distributions were studied through environmental niche modelling using 161 data of occurrences and six bioclimatic variables, hindcasting the model to LGM conditions using three different global circulation models. To test the geographical variability of the reproductive region, 41 characters of 667 inflorescences from 35 populations within the distribution range were measured. Geographical patterns, using geostatistics together with univariate and multivariate statistical approaches, were analysed. The environmental niche model suggested the current potential distribution in correspondence to its known occurrences. The hindcast to LGM conditions suggested two separate areas of environmental suitability, one in the present-day northern Adriatic coast of Croatia (Istrian Peninsula, Kvarner) and another on the present-day south-eastern Adriatic coast (southern Dalmatia, Montenegro and northern Albania). Morphological variability showed a similar pattern, where southern populations separated from northern populations according to a major split in the central part of its distribution range (central Dalmatia). On other levels, stronger barriers were predicted to separate northern populations from the eastern Istrian Peninsula and the Kvarner area. The results suggested congruent biogeographical patterns to the already known phylogeographical structure. Both environmental niche modelling and the geographical variability of morphological characters suggested spatial partitioning, indicating the potential presence of two separate refugia during the LGM.

Same-gender distractors are not so easy to reject: ERP evidence of gender categorization.

Social categorization appears to be an automatic process that occurs during person perception. Understanding social categorization better is important because mere categorization can lead to stereotype activation and, in turn, to discrimination. In the present study we used a novel approach to examine event-related potentials (ERPs) of gender categorization in the "Who said what?" memory paradigm, thus allowing for a more in-depth understanding of the specific mechanisms underlying identity versus categorization processing. After observing video clips showing a "discussion" among female and male targets, participants were shown individual statements, each accompanied by one of the discussants' faces. While we measured ERPs, participants had to decide whether or not a given statement had previously been made by the person with the accompanying face. In same-person trials, statements were paired with the correct person, whereas in the distractor trials, either a same-gender or a different-gender distractor was shown. As expected, participants were able to reject different-gender distractors faster than same-gender distractors, and they were more likely to falsely choose yes for a same-gender than for a different-gender distractor. Both findings indicate gender-based categorization. ERPs, analyzed in a 300- to 400-ms time window at occipito-temporal channels, indicated more negative amplitudes for yes responses both for the same person and for same-gender distractors, relative to different-gender distractors. Overall, these results show gender-based categorization even when the task was to assess the identifying information in a gender-neutral context. These findings are interpreted as showing that gender categorization occurs automatically during person perception, but later than race- or age-based categorization.

Competent and Warm?

Most research on ethnicity has focused on visual cues. However, accents are strong social cues that can match or contradict visual cues. We examined understudied reactions to people whose one cue suggests one ethnicity, whereas the other cue contradicts it. In an experiment conducted in Germany, job candidates spoke with an accent either congruent or incongruent with their (German or Turkish) appearance. Based on ethnolinguistic identity theory, we predicted that accents would be strong cues for categorization and evaluation. Based on expectancy violations theory we expected that incongruent targets would be evaluated more extremely than congruent targets. Both predictions were confirmed: accents strongly influenced perceptions and Turkish-looking German-accented targets were perceived as most competent of all targets (and additionally most warm). The findings show that bringing together visual and auditory information yields a more complete picture of the processes underlying impression formation.

When appearance does not match accent: neural correlates of ethnicity-related expectancy violations.

Most research on ethnicity in neuroscience and social psychology has focused on visual cues. However, accents are central social markers of ethnicity and strongly influence evaluations of others. Here, we examine how varying auditory (vocal accent) and visual (facial appearance) information about others affects neural correlates of ethnicity-related expectancy violations. Participants listened to standard German and Turkish-accented speakers and were subsequently presented with faces whose ethnic appearance was either congruent or incongruent to these voices. We expected that incongruent targets (e.g. German accent/Turkish face) would be paralleled by a more negative N2 event-related brain potential (ERP) component. Results confirmed this, suggesting that incongruence was related to more effortful processing of both Turkish and German target faces. These targets were also subjectively judged as surprising. Additionally, varying lateralization of ERP responses for Turkish and German faces suggests that the underlying neural generators differ, potentially reflecting different emotional reactions to these targets. Behavioral responses showed an effect of violated expectations: German-accented Turkish-looking targets were evaluated as most competent of all targets. We suggest that bringing together neural and behavioral measures of expectancy violations, and using both visual and auditory information, yields a more complete picture of the processes underlying impression formation.

Resurrection plants of the genus Ramonda: prospective survival strategies - unlock further capacity of adaptation, or embark on the path of evolution?

Paleoendemic species of the monophyletic genus Ramonda (R. myconi, R. serbica and R.~nathaliae) are the remnants of the Tertiary tropical and subtropical flora in Europe. They are the rare resurrection plants of Northern Hemisphere temperate zone. Ramonda serbica and R. nathaliae are chorologically differentiated in the Balkan Peninsula and occupy similar habitats in calcareous, northward slopes in canyons and mountainsides. They remain well-hydrated during spring, late autumn and even in winter. In summer and early autumn when plants are subjected to drought and thermal stress, their desiccation tolerance comes into operation and they fall into anabiosis. Investigations revealed the permanent presence of ubiquitine and its conjugates, high amounts of oxalic acid and proline. Both species are homoiochlorophyllous. It enables them to rapidly resume photosynthesis upon rehydration, but also makes them susceptible to reactive oxygen species formation. Dehydration induces activation of antioxidative enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, polyphenol oxidase), increase in amounts of AsA and GSH, phenolic acids, dehydrins, sucrose, and inorganic ions. Plasma membranes, characterized by high amount of cholesterol, are subjected to decrease in membrane fluidity mostly on account of increased level of lipid saturation. Cytogenetic analysis revealed that R. nathaliae is a diploid (2n = 48) and probably evolutionary older species, while R. serbica is a hexaploid (2n = 144). Two species live together in only two localities forming hybrid individuals (2n = 96). Polyploidization is the major evolutionary mechanism in the genus Ramonda that together with hybridization ability indicates that these relict species which have preserved an ancient survival strategy are not the evolutionary "dead end."The species of the genus Ramonda are promising sources of data important for understanding the complex strategy of resurrection plants' survival, appraised through a prism of their evolutionary and adaptive potential for multiple environmental stresses.

When it matters how you pronounce it: the influence of regional accents on job interview outcome.

The visual dimension has featured prominently in person perception in the last 25 years. Alone, this dimension cannot give the complete 'picture' of others because language and speech (i.e., the auditory dimension) are also highly informative. Social-cognition research investigates the role of auditory information for impression formation. In a series of experiments, we tested perceived competence, hirability, and socio-intellectual status of different targets based on their regional accents. Given identical content of statements in different conditions of an alleged job interview, regional German accents (Saxon, Bavarian, and Berlin) resulted in lower perceived competence and hirability than standard German, even though the Bavarian accent at the same time resulted in higher ratings of socio-intellectual status compared to other regional accents (Experiment 1). These findings were confirmed when using a broader population sample and a 'matched guise' technique (Experiment 2). Our findings indicate that regional accents, similar to faces, can be very powerful in creating differentiated pictures of individuals.

Blinded by the accent! The minor role of looks in ethnic categorization.

The categories that social targets belong to are often activated automatically. Most studies investigating social categorization have used visual stimuli or verbal labels, whereas ethnolinguistic identity theory posits that language is an essential dimension of ethnic identity. Language should therefore be used for social categorization. In 2 experiments, using the "Who Said What?" paradigm, the authors investigated social categorization by using accents (auditory stimuli) and looks (visual stimuli) to indicate ethnicity, either separately or in combination. Given either looks or accents only, the authors demonstrated that ethnic categorization can be based on accents, and the authors found a similar degree of ethnic categorization by accents and looks. When ethnic cues of looks and accents were combined by creating cross categories, there was a clear predominance of accents as meaningful cues for categorization, as shown in the respective parameters of a multinomial model. The present findings are discussed with regard to the generalizability of findings using one channel of presentation (e.g., visual) and the asymmetry found with different presentation channels for the category ethnicity.