Is put to a variety of uses in publications (6)
I believe the answer is:
issues
'publications' is the definition.
('issue' can be a synonym of 'publication')
'is put to a variety of uses' is the wordplay.
'put' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'to a variety of' indicates anagramming the letters.
'uses' anagrammed gives 'sues'.
'is'+'sues'='ISSUES'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for issues that I've seen before include "Questions to be resolved" , "Matters for discussion" , "Sends out, or important topics for discussion" , "Comes forth" , "Flows out" .)