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The objectives of this study were to identify genetic loci in the bread wheat genome that would influence yield stability and quality under water stress, and to identify accessions that can be recommended for cultivation in dry and hot regions. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a panel of 232 wheat accessions spanning diverse ecogeographic regions. Plants were evaluated in the Israeli Northern Negev, under two environments: water-limited (D; 250 mm) and well-watered (W; 450 mm) conditions; they were genotyped with ~71,500 SNPs derived from exome capture sequencing. Of the 14 phenotypic traits evaluated, 12 had significantly lower values under D compared to W conditions, while the values for two traits were higher under D. High heritability (H2 = 0.5-0.9) was observed for grain yield, spike weight, number of grains per spike, peduncle length, and plant height. Days to heading and grain yield could be partitioned based on accession origins. GWAS identified 154 marker-trait associations (MTAs) for yield and quality-related traits, 82 under D and 72 under W, and identified potential candidate genes. We identified 24 accessions showing high and/or stable yields under D conditions that can be recommended for cultivation in regions under the threat of global climate change.

Late-life divorce is increasing in the Western world, including among family-oriented societies like Israel in which the most common family status for older adults (age 60 years and older) is being in a heterosexual long-term marriage with adult children. Within a life-course framework, we use both dyadic and individual interview analysis to explore the process that led to the timing of late-life divorce. Understanding this process from dyadic and individual perspectives could strengthen knowledge regarding this expanding phenomenon in family-oriented societies and could contribute to developing targeted interventions and policies for such couples. Semi-structured interviews were conducted separately with 44 heterosexual ex-spouses comprised of 10 dyads (n = 20) and 24 individuals (n = 13 women; n = 11 men). The divorces were mostly after age 60 and followed a long-term marriage with children. Two themes emerged from the analysis: the long-term phase of divorce delay despite longstanding motivations, and the moment of final decision with its various background accelerators. The discussion addresses intersections between personal time, family time, and social/cultural time related to divorce, and between intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects. Implications for family gerontology are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionTo examine in-depth experiences of loneliness and freedom after late-life divorce from an intergenerational familial/dyadic perspective in a family-oriented society that also values self-determination. Considering the expansion of late-life divorce, it is important to understand its consequences for the family wellbeing.According to phenomenology tradition, data was collected through 51 semi-structured qualitative interviews, comprised from 7 family units (n = 33) including all/most family members and 9 parent-child dyads (n = 18), using thematic-analysis and dyadic interview-analysis principles. Analyzing family units enables a more complex examination of the phenomena, providing a holistic view of family life.Loneliness and freedom experienced simultaneously was the most common. A gap was identified between generations regarding benefits and costs of late-life divorce. Whereas most divorcees emphasized the benefits of freedom, most of their adult-children mainly described the disadvantages of loneliness, perceiving both loneliness and freedom as negative.Late-life divorce is a complex experience comprised of both loneliness and freedom. Each generation experiences the benefits and costs of late-life divorce differently. Unique aspects of freedom and loneliness at old age in a socio-cultural context located between self-determination and family-oriented are discussed, including strategies of coping with loneliness. Implications for families and professionals are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In this study, the researchers examined adult children's experience during and after their parents' late‐life divorce. The study applies a familial/dyadic perspective. Family systems theory is used heuristically. Background: Late‐life divorce is rising due to increased social legitimacy of divorce and life‐expectancy. As parents age, their adult children become more involved in their parents' lives. Accordingly, adult children are expected to fulfill roles in their parents' life transitions such as late‐life divorce. However, adult children's experiences regarding their parents late‐life divorce is not as available in previous studies, especially from a dyadic/familial perspective. Method: Semistructured in‐depth qualitative‐interviews were conducted separately with 51 participants (28 adult children, 23 parents) composed of seven family units (n = 33) and nine parent–child‐dyads (n = 18). Thematic analysis and dyadic interview analysis were used. Results: During the divorce, adult children experienced meaningful roles supporting their parents, mediating between them, or pushing them to finalize the divorce. Some avoided involvement. Parents described roles they assigned to their adult children and their consequences. After divorce, adult children continued supporting their parents, experiencing role reversal earlier than expected. Their new roles included relieving loneliness and worry and providing care. Conclusion: The roles adult children experience reveals unique challenges for adult‐child–parent relationships after parents' late‐life divorce, influencing the family system. Implications: Conceptualizing adult children's roles and the implications for family systems contributes to theoretical knowledge. Family counselors should provide families with relevant tools to deal with these consequences. Policy makers and training programs for family therapy should address the consequences of late‐life divorce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical greenery systems (VGS) have been proposed as a nature-based solution to mitigate the adverse effects of urban heat islands and climate change in cities. However, large-scale VGS are costly and require ongoing maintenance, typically carried out manually through trial and error based on professional experience. Advanced management is essential for the sustainability of VGS due to its limited accessibility and associated costs. To address these challenges, we examined the use of remote sensing methods for outdoor VGS monitoring as a basis for a precision agriculture approach for VGS management and maintenance. This study presents the first ongoing monitoring of real-scale VGS using thermal, hyperspectral, and RGB vegetation indices. These indices were employed for the early detection of vegetation stress, focusing on two case studies exhibiting visible yellowing symptoms. Through the application of unsupervised classification techniques, stressed pixels were successfully detected 14–35 days before visual yellowing, achieving an accuracy of 0.85–0.91. Additionally, the thermal index provided valuable information regarding the spatial distribution of watering along the VGS. Stress maps based on noninvasive methods were demonstrated, forming the basis of a spatial decision support system capable of detecting issues related to plant vitality and VGS irrigation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examined barriers and facilitators to patient-family physician discussions in Israel about advance care planning, including preparation of an advance directive by adults over age 65, as part of a program in two community health clinics which afforded family physicians the opportunity to dedicate time to such discussions with patients. To the best of our knowledge, the program is the first of its kind in Israel. Method: We used thematic analyses of qualitative data collected through 22 interviews with patients with pro-advanced care planning attitudes and three focus groups with eleven family physicians. Results: Overall, three themes in the interviews with patients and two themes in the focus groups with physicians emerged. The program gave people with pro-advanced care planning attitudes the opportunity to follow through with their ideas. We found that patients viewed their family physicians as facilitators and that the use of an information leaflet was an effective way to promote advance directives. Family physicians expressed positive attitudes toward assisting patients in the preparation of advance directives and welcomed an allotment of time for this endeavor as part of their schedule but expressed hesitation about assisting patients concerning legal and moral issues. Significance of results: A pro-advanced care planning attitude is not enough for patients to complete the process of creating an advance directive; patients need active encouragement and intervention in order to turn their ideas into action. More patient and physician education are necessary to enable patients to protect their right to self-determination in end-of-life medical decision-making and to support physicians as facilitators of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]