bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome streamlining: effect of mutation rate and population size on genome size reduction
Authors: Luiselli Juliette , Rouzaud-Cornabas Jonathan , Lartillot Nicolas , Beslon Guillaume 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGenome streamlining,i.e. genome size reduction, is observed in bacteria with very different life traits, including endosymbiotic bacteria and several marine bacteria, raising the question of its evolutionary origin. None of the hypotheses proposed in the literature is firmly established, mainly due to the many confounding factors related to the diverse habitats of species with streamlined genomes. Computational models may help overcome these difficulties and rigorously test hypotheses. In this work, we used Aevol, a platform designed to study the evolution of genome architecture, to test two main hypotheses: that an increase in population size (N) or mutation rate (µ) could cause genome reduction. In our experiments, both conditions lead to streamlining, but with very different resulting genome structures. Under increased population sizes, genomes loose a significant fraction of non-coding sequences, but maintain their coding size, resulting in densely packed genomes (akin to streamlined marine bacteria genomes). By contrast, under increased mutation rate, genomes loose both coding and non-coding sequences (akin to endosymbiotic bacteria genomes). Hence, both factors lead to an overall reduction in genome size, but the coding density of the genome appears to be determined byN × µ. Thus, a broad range of genome size and density can be achieved by different combinations ofNandµ. Our results suggest that genome size and coding density are determined by the interplay between selection for phenotypic adaptation and selection for robustness.Significance statementMany bacterial species show reduced genomes. However, the diversity of these species and of their life traits makes it difficult to identify the mechanisms that led to this reduction. Indeed, no unifying hypothesis accounts for the whole diversity of genome size reduction. Here, we used simulations to systematically explore the effect of population size and mutation rate on genome size. We show that the interaction between these two factors tightly determine the size, but also the density of genomes, making it possible to account for the whole diversity of reduced genomes by acting on these two parameters only. Our results suggest a theoretical model in which genome reduction is driven by a robustness/fitness trade off.
Throat color polymorphism is related to differences in aggression in the Aegean wall lizard
Authors: Mandavilli Dhruthi S. , Wang Ian J. , Brock Kinsey M. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTAggressive behavior can be used to establish and maintain access to crucial resources such as space, food, and mating opportunities. Color polymorphic animals sometimes exhibit morph-correlated aggressive behaviors that can influence relative reproductive success and, thus, the maintenance of polymorphism. The Aegean wall lizard,Podarcis erhardii, exhibits three monochromatic throat color morphs: orange, white, and yellow. Previously, maleP. erhardiicolor morphs were shown to differ in their use of aggressive behaviors and ability to win staged contests during laboratory experiments. However, whether these color morphs use aggressive behavior differently in their natural setting where ecological and environmental factors are not standardized remains unknown. Here, we usedin situobservations of wall lizard color morph interactions over a large section of dry stone wall to investigate behavioral differences in aggression among color morphsin situ. We compared the counts and intensities (aggression scores) of aggressive behaviors (both performing and receiving aggression) among color morphs and found that color morphs differ significantly in the frequencies and intensities of their aggressive behaviors. We found that the white morph exhibited significantly more aggression than the orange and yellow morphs on dry stone walls. Taken together, results frominandex situbehavioral studies suggest that the smaller, more common white color morphs are more aggressive, which might help explain their relatively greater abundance and persistence across the species’ range.
The peroxiredoxin Tsa1 extends the lifespan of budding yeast by maintaining the stability of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster
Authors: Ohira Junno , Sasaki Mariko , Kobayashi Takehiko 
Published: March 2024

SUMMARYTsa1 is a major budding yeast peroxiredoxin that also has nonperoxidase functions. Here we demonstrate that Tsa1 is required for stabilizing the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) cluster. Tsa1 deficiency led to lower replication initiation and an elevated recombination frequency in the rDNA. However, the absence of Tsa1 did not affect Fob1-dependent replication fork arrest at the replication fork barrier (RFB) site, indicating that forks at this site are arrested stably. Tsa1 deficiency did not affect the frequency of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) but enhanced transcription from the regulatory promoter E-pro toward the RFB. Because transcription from E-pro inhibits cohesin association and DSB end resection, elevated transcription may cause rDNA instability. We showed that the shortened lifespan and rDNA instability in thetsa1Δ mutant were largely suppressed by thefob1mutation. Therefore, Tsa1-mediated rDNA stabilization in response to replication fork arrest is important for prolonging lifespan. Thetsa1Δ mutant accumulated single-strand breaks in the rDNA in a Fob1-independent manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that Tsa1 plays a crucial role in maintaining rDNA stability in both Fob1-dependent and Fob1-independent manners and contributes to lifespan extension.
When visual attention is divided in the flash-lag effect
Authors: Yook Jane , Hogendoorn Hinze , Fink Gereon R. , Vossel Simone , Weidner Ralph 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe flash-lag effect (FLE) occurs when a flash’s position appears delayed relative to a continuously moving object, even though both are physically aligned. While several studies have demonstrated that reduced attention increases FLE magnitude, the precise mechanism underlying these attention-dependent effects remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the influence of visual attention on the FLE by manipulating the level of attention allocated to multiple stimuli moving simultaneously in different locations. Participants were cued to either focus on one moving stimulus or split their attention among two, three, or four moving stimuli presented in different quadrants. We measured trial-wise FLE to explore potential changes in the magnitude of perceived displacement and its trial-to-trial variability under different attention conditions. Our results reveal that FLE magnitudes were significantly larger when attention was divided among multiple stimuli compared to when attention was focused on a single stimulus, suggesting that divided attention considerably augments the perceptual illusion. However, FLE variability, measured as the coefficient of variation, did not differ between conditions, indicating that the consistency of the illusion is unaffected by divided attention. We discuss the interpretations and implications of our findings in the context of widely accepted explanations of the FLE within a dynamic environment.
Qualitative
ab initio
theory of magnetic and atomic ordering in FeNi
Authors: Ruban A. V. 
Published: March 2024

Magnetic and atomic ordering in equiatomic FeNi alloy is studied by different techniques and methods based on density functional theory in order to clarify the main driving forces and their interplay behind these transitions and possibility of their accurate description within standard density functional theory calculations. The Curie temperature is obtained in Monte Carlo simulations using magnetic exchange interactions obtained by applying the magnetic force theorem within multiple scattering theory for different magnetic and atomic configurational states, including account for the thermal atomic displacements and exchange-correlation potential. The calculations show a very strong sensitivity of the results upon exchange-correlation potential, atomic order, and thermal atomic displacements. The calculated Curie temperature of a completely random alloy with the account of thermal lattice displacement is at least about 200 K below the known experimental data (780–800 K) depending on the above mentioned factors. The atomic order-disorder transition temperature is determined from effective chemical interactions, which apart from the chemical contribution (on the ideal fcc lattice) include contributions from lattice thermal vibrations and local lattice relaxations. The effective chemical interactions are strongly affected by the magnetic state, so the order-disorder transition temperature changes between 1000 and 140 K in the fully ordered ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states, respectively. For the reduced magnetization 0.7 (close to the experimental order-disorder transition temperature at 600 K), the order-disorder transition temperature varies between 550 and 700 K depending mostly on the exchange-correlation potential. The latter effect is the uncertainty in the choice of the exchange-correlation approximation in density functional theory calculations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Optical transmission enhancement of ionic crystals via superionic fluoride transfer: Growing VUV-transparent radioactive crystals
Authors: Beeks Kjeld , Sikorsky Tomas , Schaden Fabian , Pressler Martin , Schneider Felix , Koch Björn N. , Pronebner Thomas , Werban David , Hosseini Niyusha , Kazakov Georgy , Welch Jan , Sterba Johannes H. , Kraus Florian , Schumm Thorsten 
Published: March 2024

The 8−eV first nuclear excited state in Th229 is a candidate for implementing a nuclear clock. Doping Th229 into ionic crystals such as CaF2 is expected to suppress nonradiative decay, enabling nuclear spectroscopy and the realization of a solid-state optical clock. Yet, the inherent radioactivity of Th229 prohibits the growth of high-quality single crystals with high Th229 concentration; radiolysis causes fluoride loss, increasing absorption at 8eV. These radioactively doped crystals are thus a unique material for which a deeper analysis of the physical effects of radioactivity on growth, crystal structure, and electronic properties is presented. Following the analysis, we overcome the increase in absorption at 8eV by annealing Th229-doped CaF2 at 1250∘C in CF4. This technique allows to adjust the fluoride content without crystal melting, preserving its single-crystal structure. Superionic state annealing ensures rapid fluoride distribution, creating fully transparent and radiation-hard crystals. This approach enables control over the charge state of dopants, which can be used in deep-UV optics, laser crystals, scintillators, and nuclear clocks.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The sustainable development goals and the role of environmental legislation in Brazilian poultry companies
Authors: Schiavo Gustavo , Scavarda Annibal 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
This study aims to evaluate how corporate governance focused on meeting the legal requirements applied in poultry slaughterhouses contributes to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the environmental pillar and identify vulnerabilities in this governance framework.

Design/methodology/approach
This research was qualitative and was structured with the following steps: literature review, selection of companies and documentary research on licenses applied to these companies.

Findings
The assessment demonstrates that the governance strategy based on legal aspects contributes to progress in indicators related to SDGs such as clean water, climate action, life below water and life on land. However, it falls short when addressing SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy. Another vulnerability of this governance model is that legislation establishes metrics and indicators individually for each link in the poultry industry chain.

Research limitations/implications
Assessment of the corporate governance of poultry slaughterhouses, focusing on legality and analyzing vulnerabilities in the legal aspects of the poultry industry concerning the SDGs that encompass the environmental pillar.

Practical implications
The results provide valuable information for policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders in the segment, suggesting the need to align legislation with SDGs or adopt incentive policies to encourage the spontaneous advancement of SDGs in the poultry industry.

Originality/value
Considering the need for progress toward a more sustainable world and the trend of organizations focusing their efforts on complying with local legislation, this study aims to contribute to understanding how the legal requirements applied in practice are prepared to support the advancement of the SDGs.
Sustainable rural electrification: small hydropower stations, electrification and rural welfare improvement in Tanzania
Authors: Haulle Evaristo , Ndimbo Gabriel Kanuti 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Tanzania is rich in small hydropower (SHP) potentials. However, many of these potentials have yet to be fully used, and more than two-thirds of its rural population lacks access to electricity. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of SHP stations in improving rural welfare in the southern highlands of Tanzania. It further explores the history, cost-effective analysis and threats to the sustainability of SHP as one of the renewable energy sources.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a qualitative research design to explore respondents’ views on the role of SHP stations in facilitating rural electrification and welfare improvement. Primary data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with the 27 key informants and beneficiaries of SHP stations from the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. In addition, the study used documentary research to complement the information from the field survey.

Findings
The findings found that SHP stations enhance rural electrification and welfare by providing electricity in remote areas with sparse populations. They operate as standalone off-grids, often by church communities and individuals. However, the sustainability of SHP stations is hampered by challenges such as climate change impacts, high capital investment costs, heavy siltation of small reservoirs, skilled manpower shortages, limited local manufacturing capabilities and infrastructural issues.

Originality/value
The study contributes to the ongoing debate on renewable energy supply and uses, focusing on how SHP stations could contribute to sustainable rural electrification and achieve the 2030 United Nations agenda for sustainable development, which, among other things, aims to safeguard access to sustainable and modern energy and alleviate energy poverty.
Implementation of Lesson Study in the context of STEM education in a rural setting in Ireland: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Flanagan Bridget , Hourigan Mairéad , Leavy Aisling 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThis research seeks to explore the potential of Lesson Study as a vehicle to support professional development (PD) in a rural, Irish primary school. Lesson Study was utilised to design and implement integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) lessons with young children (ages 4–7 years).Design/methodology/approachThree teachers were introduced to and participated in four cycles of Lesson Study over the course of one school year. Qualitative data were generated from interviews, collaborative weekly meetings and observation sheets.FindingsAnalysis suggests that Lesson Study supported the development of a culture of collaboration and provided an opportunity for teachers to share their knowledge. Findings also reveal that Lesson Study motivated teachers to reflect on their role within the classroom and enabled them to move away from teacher-led approaches. Although teachers perceived Lesson Study to be a beneficial form of PD, factors constrained their engagement, including practical, cultural and sustainability challenges.Practical implicationsThe study explores the adaptability of Lesson Study in first level education in the context of STEM education. It reveals teachers’ first experience of Lesson Study, given its stark contrast to more “traditional” PD experiences they are accustomed to. This article will, therefore, be of interest to teachers, school leaders and policy makers.Originality/valueThis paper contributes initial findings to a currently under-researched area, Lesson Study in a rural context. This study also combines Lesson Study with STEM education, which has not been widely explored.
Exploring the non-vocational outcomes of the individual placement and support (IPS) employment model
Authors: Boland Leonie , Kennedy Michelle , Lynch Lauren Jane , Bonham-Corcoran Meabh , Quinn Sarah 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based employment model, effective in supporting individuals with severe mental health difficulties to gain competitive employment. Irish mental health policy recognises its value and IPS is being rolled out in a national programme. Employment is recognised an important contributor to mental health recovery and social inclusion. However, research on IPS has tended to focus on competitive job outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the non-vocational outcomes of IPS in an Irish context.

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research approach was used to interview participants taking part in IPS within community mental health teams. Twelve interviews were included in the data analysis process which was informed by a thematic analysis approach.

Findings
Participants experienced increased confidence and positivity, both within a work context and whilst job seeking. More purposeful time use, participation in activities and engagement with society were also experienced by those employed and those at the job search stage of IPS.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature about the non-vocational benefits of IPS within an Irish context, highlights the mental health recovery benefits of taking part in IPS and supports the need for ongoing development of IPS throughout mental health services in Ireland.
Assessment of sustainability awareness and practice in a campus community
Authors: Urbaniak Eric , Uzarski Rebecca , Haidar Salma 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
This research paper aims to evaluate the sustainability knowledge and background of students, staff and faculty regarding current university sustainability practices and individual behaviors at Central Michigan University (CMU); to compare sustainability background and knowledge based on academic discipline of enrollment or employment; and to assess sustainability awareness and interest of the campus community to guide future sustainability initiatives and resources at CMU.

Design/methodology/approach
An electronic cross-sectional survey was used to collect anonymous responses through Qualtrics, and then results were analyzed through SPSS. Analyses were performed based on the academic structures at CMU.

Findings
This research has found that students in STEM fields are more inclined to have pro-sustainability attitudes, knowledge and behaviors, compared to those studying the arts and business. Additionally, results indicate that there is a significant difference in knowledge between the students, and the staff and faculty respondents regarding sustainability knowledge and application, with the staff and faculty consistently demonstrating more pro-sustainability knowledge and behavior.

Originality/value
While research has previously been conducted on sustainability attitudes and behaviors, this research is unique because it ties sustainability knowledge to academic discipline. Additionally, it serves to gauge which sustainability programs and topics members of the campus community are most interested in, and which areas they are most willing to support.
Handwoven interior accessories from palm leaves as sustainable elements
Authors: Elsamanoudy Gamal , Abdelaziz Mahmoud Naglaa Sami , Alexiou Platon 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThis paper argues that cultures with the same climate have similar handicrafts as they have similar cultivation and identical raw materials. This study focuses on how mountainous, coastal and hot regions partaking in similar crafts and cultural heritage use palm leaves and analyses the resulting handicrafts' similarities.Design/methodology/approachA review of mapping these samples establishes this similarity in the traditional industries of some civilizations' cultural heritage from countries sharing similar climates.FindingsThe handwoven crafts using palm leaves were significant patrimonial artifacts in different societies' and communities' cultural heritage. Our studies revealed that climate plays an active role in influencing all aspects of humanity’s life. It affects the construction methods and style, agriculture and lifestyles.Research limitations/implicationsTraditional handwoven palm leaf product models, especially plates and baskets, are studied from South America, Africa, Gulf Countries and Asia.Practical implicationsAdditionally, this paper focuses on preserving these treasures as an essential part of interior elements as accessories for most inhabitants of these areas.Social implicationsCultural heritage also embraces intangible aspects such as skills passed down through generations within a particular society. The tangible and intangible elements complement each other and contribute to an overall legacy.Originality/valueCultural heritage reflects a society’s way of life carried down through the years across lands, items, customs and aesthetic concepts. People are the gatekeepers of society, as they preserve their way of life for future generations to emulate. Tangible artistic and cultural heritage comprises artifacts. It comprises all human evidence and expressions, such as traditional handicrafts, pictures, documents, books and manuscripts.