Processes Shaping Research Articles

The gendered effects of parenthood on career outcomes: Do family gaps explain gender differences along the science pipeline?

This study, based on data from 2225 faculty members at a Portuguese research-intensive university, investigates the combined impact of gender and parental status on academic rank and salary. Parenthood significantly influences women's concentration at lower tenure-track ranks, leading to wage gaps that disadvantage mothers. However, the impact of family status on women's career progression shows that while having young children initially hinders their transition to the tenure track, it does not significantly reduce their chances of earning tenure or reaching higher academic ranks. Lower wages for mothers result from slower academic grade advancement, not within-rank disparities, which poses barriers to progression. The study illuminates the interplay of gender and parenthood, shifting the focus from individual factors to gendered institutional processes shaping career trajectories, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the persistent gender gap in academia.

Is confidence in knowledge related to childbirth fear and mode of birth among Polish women?

Abstract Background In Poland, cesarean section (CS) rate is 48% what means that it is one of the highest rate among OECD countries and the highest in the European Union. WHO has considered that CS rates higher than 15% at the population level are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates. Fear and attitudes towards childbirth are shaped years before the first pregnancy. Yet, little is understood about how young people’s knowledge, attitudes and fears concerning the birth process shape their healthcare preferences around birth. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine whether confidence in knowledge was associated with childbirth fear prior to pregnancy and preference for CS. Methods We recruited 782 women aged 18 - 35 (mean 24.7, sd = 3.19) who had never been pregnant but wished to have at least one child in the future. The women answered questions about: (i) socio-economic situation, (ii) confidence in knowledge and educational needs related to pregnancy and childbirth; (iii) fear of childbirth prior to pregnancy; (iv) preferred mode of birth in the hypothetical pregnancy in which there are no medical indications for cesarean section. Results Almost one in four women (22.1%) preferred CS in a hypothetical low-risk pregnancy. In addition, most often young women gained knowledge on pregnancy and birth from experiences and stories of family members (62.3%). Women with moderate and high level of confidence in knowledge had respectively lower odds of high level of childbirth fear prior to pregnancy comparing to women with low level of confidence in knowledge (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39-0.83 and OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33-0.88, respectively). Conclusions Increasing knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth among young women might lower childbirth fear and thus, indirectly, lower rates of CS in the future. Key messages • The results of this study may solve very important public health problem i.e. the growing rates of cesarean section. • Confidence in knowledge may be an important factor associated with the level of childbirth fear.

Relationships between abiotic factors, foliage chemistry and herbivory in a tropical montane ecosystem.

Herbivore-plant interactions are fundamental processes shaping ecosystems, yet their study is challenged by their complex connections within broader ecosystem processes, requiring a nuanced understanding of ecosystem dynamics. This study investigated the relationship between nutrient availability and insect herbivory in the Australian Wet Tropics. Our objectives were threefold. Firstly, to understand what factors influence nutrient availability for plants and herbivores across the landscape; secondly, to investigate how trees of different species respond to nutrient availability; and thirdly, to unravel how the relationships between resources and plant chemistry affect herbivory. We established a network of 25 study sites covering important abiotic gradients, including temperature, precipitation, and geology. Employing a hierarchical modelling approach, we assessed the influence of climate and geology on resource availability for plants, primarily in the form of soil nutrients. Then, we explored the influence of the above factors on the interaction between herbivory and foliage chemistry across three widespread rainforest tree species, comparing how these relationships emerged across genera. Our findings suggest an overarching influence of climate and geology over soil chemistry, foliar nitrogen, and insect herbivory, both directly and indirectly. However, individual constituents of soil fertility showed equivocal influences on spatial patterns of foliage chemistry once site geological origin was accounted for, suggesting a questionable relationship between individualsoil nutrients and foliar composition. We have demonstrated that herbivore-plant interactions are complex dynamics regulated by an intricate web of relationships spanning different biogeochemical processes. While our results provide some support to the notion that herbivory is affected by resource availability, different species growing under the same conditions can show differing responses to the same resources, highlighting the importance of identifying specific limiting factors rather than simpler proxies of resource availability.

The Underlying Cognitive Processes of Thin Slices Judgments on Teaching Quality

Thin slices ratings (i.e., ratings based on first impressions) have yielded intriguingly accurate results in various domains. Among other, researcher have applied the thin slices technique to assess instructional quality, showing that teacher-student interactions can be reliably inferred by just very short snippets of classroom instruction. The accuracy of thin slices ratings is often explained by dual process theories of social cognition, whereby System 1 refers to an intuitive and fast way of processing, while System 2 denotes a more reflective and analytical way of processing. System 1 is considered the cognitive foundation of thin slices ratings. The central aim of the present study was to understand the underlying cognitive processes shaping the impression formation of thin slices raters of teaching quality. Therefore, an unconventional and innovative research design was required to gain insights into the cognitive “black box” of thin slices raters by examining their verbal data. In an exploratory mixed method research design, we set up Cognitive Laboratories with two different rating situations. In a thin slices rating situation, participants rated instructional quality based on short classroom videos (30 seconds). Participants in a long-video rating situation rated instructional quality based on longer classroom videos (10 minutes). We collected, coded and statistically analyzed participants’ verbal reports regarding their rating processes. The findings suggest that thin slices ratings evolve primarily based on typical processes of System 1 and not on those of System 2. For instance, thin slices ratings are associative and tend to be rather negative than positive. Moreover, an initially formed impression tends to remain stable and is resistant to alteration. Ratings of instructional quality based on longer videos rely on both cognitive systems, with System 2 possibly modifying an initial judgment. Thus, our study does not only explain the cognitive processes under-lying the thin slices ratings, but additionally provides valuable insights into the processes occurring in conventional rating settings.

Clinical significance for new type of coracoid process fractures associated with acromioclavicular dislocation on CT three-dimensional reconstruction

To observe the computerized tomography (CT) imaging manifestations of coracoid process fractures associated with acromioclavicular(AC) joint dislocation and make classification and summary, and explore a new classification of coracoid process fracture combined with acromioclavicular joint dislocation. The medical records of patients with the acute traumatic coracoid process fractures associated with AC joint dislocation who had undergone surgical management with clavicular hook plate fixation between May 2012 and June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with fractures or dislocations of other parts of the ipsilateral upper limb, which affect the treatment and prognosis, or with chronic shoulder diseases on the affected side, which affect the function of the shoulder joint, were excluded. Eighteen patients were enrolled, including 10 males and 8 females, aged from 16 to 54 years old at the time of injury. The causes of injury were fall in 15 cases, traffic accident in 2 cases, and high fall in 1 case. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 7 days. The morphology of coracoid process fracture and its corresponding relationship with scapula were observed on CT three-dimensional reconstruction images, and the reduction of coracoid process fracture was observed. The results were classified according to different manifestations and outcomes. A total of 18 patients with 18 shoulders were included according to the Inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three manifestations of coracoid process fracture associated with acromioclavicular joint dislocation were observed on CT three-dimensional reconstruction images. One case was typeⅠ(avulsion fracture, coracoid process shape remained general intact), and the coracoid process fracture failed to self-reduction after AC joint reduction and fixation;Fifteen patients with type Ⅱ(hinged fracture, in which one side of the coracoid process fracture remained attached to the scapula or was less displaced than the other side of the fracture) had spontaneous reduction after AC joint reduction and fixation, even 7 of them had coracoid process fracture anatomical reduction;In 2 cases of type Ⅲ (translational fracture, coracoid process fracture with approximately parallel profile), coracoid process fracture failed to self-reduce after AC joint reduction and fixation. The new type of coracoid process fractures associated with acromioclavicular dislocation on CT three-dimensional reconstruction provides an overview of the injury involvement of coracoid process fracture associated with AC joint dislocation, better understand of the nature of the disease, and a reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis to the surgeon. Based on the fact that most coracoid fractures especially hinged fractures have spontaneous reduction after AC joint reduction and fixation, we believe that simple fixation of the AC joint is feasible and satisfactory for coracoid process fractures with acromioclavicular joint dislocation, and no surgical intervention is required for coracoid process fractures.

Generalized SmartScan: An Intelligent LPBF Scan Sequence Optimization Approach for Reduced Residual Stress and Distortion in 3D Part Geometries

Abstract Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing technique that is gaining popularity for producing metallic parts in various industries. However, parts produced by LPBF are prone to residual stress, deformation, cracks and other quality defects due to uneven temperature distribution during the LPBF process. To address this issue, in prior work, the authors have proposed SmartScan, a method for determining laser scan sequence in LPBF using an intelligent (i.e., model-based and optimization-driven) approach, rather than using heuristics, and applied it to simple 2D geometries. This paper presents a generalized SmartScan methodology that is applicable to arbitrary 3D geometries. This is achieved by: (1) expanding the thermal model and optimization approach used in SmartScan to multiple layers; (2) enabling SmartScan to process shapes with arbitrary contours and infill patterns within each layer; (3) providing the optimization in SmartScan with a balance of exploration and exploitation to make it less myopic; and (4) improving SmartScan’s computational efficiency via model order reduction using singular value decomposition. Sample 3D test artifacts are simulated and printed using SmartScan in comparison with common heuristic scan sequences. Reductions of up to 92% in temperature inhomogeneity, 86% in residual stress, 24% in maximum deformation and 50% in geometric inaccuracy were observed using SmartScan. An approach for using SmartScan for printing complex 3D parts in practice, by integrating it as a plug-in to a commercial slicing software, was also demonstrated experimentally, along with its benefits in significantly improving printed part quality.

Comprehensive sequencing of the genome and transcriptome of the Xishuangbanna game fowl

The Xishuangbanna game fowl, a local Chinese chicken breed renowned for its athleticism, is facing extinction. Despite its significance, research on its genome assembly and resequencing remains sparse, limiting our understanding of its genetic structure and function. In this study, we assembled a chromosome-level genome using second-generation sequencing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), along with transcriptome sequencing. We also resequenced 62 individuals. The resulting assembly yielded a 1.09 gigabase (Gb) high-quality genome, 994.34 Gb of resequencing data, and 141.38 Gb of transcriptome data from 15 tissues. This comprehensive dataset provides valuable insights into the artificial selection processes shaping the breed and offers a solid foundation for further genetic and population studies.

Monitoring Coastal Evolution and Geomorphological Processes Using Time-Series Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis: Application Between Cape Serrat and Kef Abbed, Northern Tunisia

The monitoring of coastal evolution (coastline and associated geomorphological features) caused by episodic and persistent processes associated with climatic and anthropic activities is required for coastal management decisions. The availability of open access, remotely sensed data with increasing spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions, is promising in this context. The coastline of Northern Tunisia is currently showing geomorphic process, such as increasing erosion associated with lateral sedimentation. This study aims to investigate the potential of time-series optical data, namely Landsat (from 1985–2019) and Google Earth® satellite imagery (from 2007 to 2023), to analyze shoreline changes and morphosedimentary and geomorphological processes between Cape Serrat and Kef Abbed, Northern Tunisia. The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) was used to quantify the multitemporal rates of shoreline using two metrics: the net shoreline movement (NSM) and the end-point rate (EPR). Erosion was observed around the tombolo and near river mouths, exacerbated by the presence of surrounding dams, where the NSM is up to −8.31 m/year. Despite a total NSM of −15 m, seasonal dynamics revealed a maximum erosion in winter (71% negative NSM) and accretion in spring (57% positive NSM). The effects of currents, winds, and dams on dune dynamics were studied using historical images of Google Earth®. In the period from 1994 to 2023, the area is marked by dune face retreat and removal in more than 40% of the site, showing the increasing erosion. At finer spatial resolution and according to the synergy of field observations and photointerpretation, four key geomorphic processes shaping the coastline were identified: wave/tide action, wind transport, pedogenesis, and deposition. Given the frequent changes in coastal areas, this method facilitates the maintenance and updating of coastline databases, which are essential for analyzing the impacts of the sea level rise in the southern Mediterranean region. Furthermore, the developed approach could be implemented with a range of forecast scenarios to simulate the impacts of a higher future sea-level enhanced climate change.

Irradiance level and elevation shape the soil microbiome communities of Coffea arabica L.

BackgroundThe nexus plant-microbe-environment is essential to understand the ecosystem processes shaping plant health and fitness. Within this triangle, soils and associated microflora are among the key ecosystem’s drivers, underpinning plant productivity and evolution. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis (physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and taxonomic diversity) of soils under the canopy projection of Coffea arabica trees along a gradient of elevation (600, 800, and 900 m) and shade (0, 50, 100%).ResultsWhile shade had no influence on most parameters, altitude shaped the dynamics of microbial communities. Available phosphorus, soil organic carbon, and nitrate were significantly higher at 800 m, likely due to the higher activities of β-glucosidase and phosphatases at this altitude. Microbial biomass (carbon and nitrogen) and moisture were significantly higher at 600 and 900 m, which might be attributed to the abundance and richness of soil microorganisms. Indeed, metabarcoding analysis revealed a complex pattern of microbial consortia (bacteria, archaea, fungi) at the three altitudes, with the lowest index of richness recorded at 800 m. The highest number of Amplicon Sequence Variants was observed in bacteria, whose functional analysis revealed distinct metabolic adaptations across different altitudes. At 900 m, the main functional attributes favored the responses to environmental stimuli and microbial interactions; at 800 m, the predominant metabolic pathways were related to organic matter, fermentation, and bioremediation; and at the lower 600 m, the pathways shifted towards the breakdown of plant-derived compounds (e.g. geraniol, limonene, and pinene degradation).ConclusionOverall, the results indicate a higher effectiveness of the microbial consortium at 800 m, which might result in better nutrient cycling. The study highlights the importance of canopy shade species and elevation for the composition of microbial consortia in C. arabica, unveiling ecological functions beyond plant health, with implications for bio-based solutions and biotechnology.

Theoretical Contributions Regarding the Modelling of the Superfinishing Process

The mathematical modeling applied on the machining process by superfinishing includes the study of the forces that appear during the action of the abrasive body on the surface of the parts subjected to processing, as well as the study of the mathematical equations of the trajectories of the abrasive grains within the various working methods used. This study is necessary to be able to obtain a quality of the processed surfaces in accordance with the technical execution documentation. In this way, various movements of the abrasive tool and the processed part can be combined in order to be sure of obtaining the quality of the part's surface finish in the shortest possible time. The study allows obtaining mathematical formulas that facilitate the use of optimal technological parameters for the processing of different shapes of pieces.

Geological influence on groundwater quality in volcanic aquifers of Eastern Mount Cameroon, West of the Penda Mboko River

This study explores the utility of silica concentration in deciphering geological controls and hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater quality in Mount Cameroon’s volcanic terrain. Fifty water samples from wells, boreholes, springs, and rivers were analysed for hydrochemical properties (EC, pH, temperature, TDS) and major ion concentrations (Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K +> Na+ and HCO3− > Cl −> NO3− > SO42−). The groundwater exhibits low mineralization, with a dominance of Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, and SiO2, reflecting minimal water–rock interaction and short residence times. Spatial variations in hydrochemistry suggest diverse water–rock interactions and potential mixing processes (76% of samples in rock dominance zone). Silica concentrations (5.8–58.7 mg/L) and estimated chalcedony temperatures (> 60 ℃ at five sites) indicated depths exceeding 1000 m. This research highlights silica’s effectiveness in tracking water–rock interactions across diverse geological settings, regardless of flow depth or interaction time variations. Mineral saturation indices pointed towards supersaturation with silicate minerals (quartz) but undersaturation with carbonates, sulphates, and halides. These findings contribute to a better understanding of groundwater evolution in Mount Cameroon, valuable insights into the hydrogeochemical processes shaping groundwater quality, aiding sustainable water resource management practices that can benefit local communities by ensuring a reliable source of freshwater. However, opportunities exist to improve future studies and water resource management. For a more comprehensive understanding, future analyses should include a broader range of geochemical tracers, such as nitrate (NO3−) and phosphate (PO43−), to assess potential agricultural or anthropogenic contamination. The study also found elevated levels of chloride and sodium, suggesting potential anthropogenic influences on groundwater quality, such as agricultural practices and waste disposal.

On gear time-varying meshing stiffness calculation considering indexing feeds and processing characteristics of gear shaping processing

Gear shaping causes processing characteristics on gear tooth surfaces (PCGTS), e.g., gear tooth surface deviation (GTSD) and processing textures (PT), which can affect gear meshing performances. Gear shaping simulation is operated to obtain PCGTS with different indexing feeds. An improved contact stiffness method of gear tooth surfaces is developed based on a wedge-shaped contact form to obtain tooth contact stiffness with PT caused by gear shaping. An improved time-varying meshing stiffness (TVMS) method for gears manufactured by gear shaping is developed to calculate TVMS of gears with GTSD and PT under different indexing feed conditions. Effectiveness of the improved TVMS method is validated using the finite element method. Analysis results of the proposed contact stiffness method of gear tooth surfaces indicate that PT caused by gear shaping can aggravate fluctuations of gear tooth contact stress. Analysis results of the proposed TVMS method for gears also indicate that GTSD of gear tooth surfaces caused by gear shaping can reduce their TVMS. The proposed TVMS method of gears can effectively analyze TVMS of gear tooth surfaces via gear shaping and evaluate processing settings of gear shaping to improve gear meshing performances.

Bacterial microbiome and their assembly processing in two sympatric desert rodents (Dipus sagitta and Meriones meridianus) from different geographic sources

Abstract The microbiome of mammals has profound effects on host fitness, but the process, which drives the assembly and shift of mammalian microbiome remains poorly understood. To explore the patterns of small mammal microbial communities across host species and geographical sites and measure the relative contributions of different processes in driving assembly patterns, 2 sympatric desert rodent species (Dipus sagitta and Meriones meridianus) were sampled from 2 geographically distant regions, which differed in the environment, followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The microbiomes differed significantly between D. sagitta and M. meridianus, and linear mixed modeling (LMM) analysis revealed that microbial diversity was mostly affected by species rather than the environment. For each rodent species, the microbiome diversity and structure differed across geographical regions, with individuals from lower rainfall environments exhibiting greater diversity. The null modeling results suggested dispersal limitation and ecological drift rather than differential selective pressures acting on the microbiome. In addition, each group had a different core genus, suggesting that the taxonomic composition of the microbiome was shaped most strongly by stochastic processes. Our results suggest that variation in the microbiome between hosts, both within and among geographic rodent populations, is driven by bacterial dispersal and ecological drift rather than by differential selective pressures. These results elucidated the diversity patterns and assembly processes of bacterial microbiomes in small desert mammals. Deciphering the processes shaping the assembly of the microbial community is a premise for better understanding how the environment-host-microbe interactions of mammals are established and maintained, particularly in the context of increased environmental disturbances and global changes.

Ejection and deposition of mica suspension droplets under electric field

Inkjet printing of ceramic materials is a shaping process of interest for building micrometer-sized components. It consists of depositing droplets of colloidal inks according to a printing pattern designed to obtain a given final part. Improving the printed part properties, e.g., thermal or electrical, requires to tailor the printed material's local structure and orientation. Electric field is an efficient external stimulus to control particle orientation. A major challenge is to efficiently couple the effects of electric field and those of capillary, viscous, and evaporation phenomena occurring during inkjet printing. In this paper, the effect of an external electric field on the structuration of inkjet deposits is investigated. Suspensions of mica platelets dispersed in binary mixtures of chloroform and silicone oil are ejected on demand on a glass plate. An electric potential difference is applied by means of a set of electrodes below the glass substrate, separated by a small gap in order to maximize the electric field on the surface of the plate. A cartography of splat morphology and structuration for different inks as a function of applied field is performed. Promising experimental conditions display particle arrangement and limited splat deformation, whereas others lead to fingering. This paves the way to a novel additive shaping process by adding another smaller scale of structuration to inkjet printed parts.

The geothermal gradient shapes microbial diversity and processes in natural-gas-bearing sedimentary aquifers

Abstract. Deep subsurface microorganisms constitute over 80 % of Earth's prokaryotic biomass and play an important role in global biogeochemical cycles. Geochemical processes driven by geothermal heating are key factors influencing their biomass and activities, yet their full breadth remains uncaptured. Here, we investigated the microbial community composition and metabolism in microbial-natural-gas-bearing aquifers at temperatures ranging from 38 to 81 °C, situated above nonmicrobial-gas- and oil-bearing sediments at temperatures exceeding 90 °C. Cultivation-based and molecular gene analyses, including radiotracer measurements, of formation water indicated variations in predominant methanogenic pathways across different temperature regimes of upper aquifers: high potential for hydrogenotrophic–methylotrophic, hydrogenotrophic, and acetoclastic methanogenesis at temperatures of 38, 51–65, and 73–81 °C, respectively. The potential for acetoclastic methanogenesis correlated with elevated acetate concentrations with increasing depth, possibly due to the decomposition of sedimentary organic matter. In addition to acetoclastic methanogenesis, in aquifers at temperatures as high as or higher than 65 °C, acetate is potentially utilized by microorganisms responsible for the dissimilatory reduction of sulfur compounds other than sulfate because of their high relative abundance at greater depths. The stable sulfur isotopic analysis of sulfur compounds in water and oil samples suggested that hydrogen sulfide, generated through the thermal decomposition of sulfur compounds in oil, migrates upward and is subsequently oxidized with iron oxides present in sediments, yielding elemental sulfur and thiosulfate. These compounds are consumed by sulfur-reducing microorganisms, possibly reflecting elevated microbial populations in aquifers at temperatures as high as or higher than 73 °C. These findings reveal previously overlooked geothermal-heat-driven geochemical and microbiological processes involved in carbon and sulfur cycling in the deep sedimentary biosphere.

Geomorphic processes within the La Gomera-Tenerife Channel (Canary Islands): Decoding the interaction of bottom currents with seabed topography

The La Gomera-Tenerife Channel is a narrow passage between La Gomera and Tenerife Islands, i.e., two volcanic edifices of the Canary Archipelago (Atlantic Ocean). A geophysical study was conducted to identify the main geomorphic processes affecting the seabed and their interplay. In particular, submetric resolution bathymetric and side scan sonar backscatter data were collected in the southern sector of the Channel, down to 1200 m water depth. Their integrated analysis revealed a complex seabed morphology and a variety of morpho-sedimentary features, resulting from three main geomorphic processes: submarine volcanic activity, mass wasting (e.g., turbidity currents, small landslides and exotic blocks emplaced by a massive landslide event), and bottom currents activity. Bottom currents strongly reshaped the seabed into bedforms, confined drifts and moats. Although the flanks of volcanic islands are typically dominated by mass wasting and volcanic features, our results indicate that bottom current activity can be predominant in confined settings and around topographic features due to modification of flow patterns and enhancement of current flows.This study is the first to document volcanic, mass wasting and bottom current features within the La Gomera-Tenerife Channel. Furthermore, it provides insights on: i) morpho-sedimentary reconstructions of narrow passages between volcanic islands; ii) interplay among different geomorphic processes; iii) oceanographic reconstructions. The variety of geomorphic processes shaping the La Gomera-Tenerife Channel makes this area significant for high-resolution studies. Moreover, it provides new insights on poorly known processes, such as: the interaction of bottom currents with complex topography and bottom current morpho-dynamic in curved moats.

Discovery of the first sea turtle adenovirus and turtle associated circoviruses

Turtles are an evolutionarily unique and morphologically distinctive order of reptiles, and many species are globally endangered. Although a high diversity of adenoviruses in scaled reptiles is well-documented, turtle adenoviruses remain largely understudied. To investigate their molecular diversity, we focused on the identification and characterisation of adenoviruses in turtle-derived organ, swab and egg samples. Since reptile circoviruses have been scarcely reported and no turtle circoviruses have been documented to date, we also screened our samples for circoviruses. Host−virus coevolution is a common feature of these viral families, so we aimed to investigate possible signs of this as well. Two screening projects were conducted: one on Brazilian samples collected from animals in their natural habitat, and the other on Hungarian pet shop samples. Nested PCR systems were used for the detection of adeno- and circoviruses and purified PCR products were Sanger sequenced. Phylogenetic trees for the viruses were reconstructed based on the adenoviral DNA polymerase and hexon genes, circoviral Rep genes, and for the turtle hosts based on mitochondrial cytochrome b amino acid sequences. During the screening, testadeno-, siadeno-, and circovirus strains were detected. The circovirus strains were classified into the genus Circovirus, exhibiting significant evolutionary divergence but forming a monophyletic clade within a group of fish circoviruses. The phylogenetic tree of turtles reflected their taxonomic relationships, showing a deep bifurcation between suborders and distinct monophyletic clades corresponding to families. A similar clustering pattern was observed among the testadenovirus strains in their phylogenetic tree. As a result, this screening of turtle samples revealed at least three new testadenoviruses, including the first sea turtle adenovirus, evidence of coevolution between testadenoviruses and their hosts, and the first turtle associated circoviruses. These findings underscore the need for further research on viruses in turtles, and more broadly in reptiles, to better understand their viral diversity and the evolutionary processes shaping host–virus interactions.

CRISPR screens unveil nutrient-dependent lysosomal and mitochondrial nodes impacting intestinal tissue-resident memory CD8+ Tcell formation.

Nutrient availability and organelle biology direct tissue homeostasis and cell fate, but how these processes orchestrate tissue immunity remains poorly defined. Here, using invivo CRISPR-Cas9 screens, we uncovered organelle signaling and metabolic processes shaping CD8+ tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cell development. TRM cells depended on mitochondrial translation and respiration. Conversely, three nutrient-dependent lysosomal signaling nodes-Flcn, Ragulator, and Rag GTPases-inhibited intestinal TRM cell formation. Depleting these molecules or amino acids activated the transcription factor Tfeb, thereby linking nutrient stress to TRM programming. Further, Flcn deficiency promoted protective TRM cell responses in the small intestine. Mechanistically, the Flcn-Tfeb axis restrained retinoic acid-induced CCR9 expression for migration and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-mediated programming for lineage differentiation. Genetic interaction screening revealed that the mitochondrial protein Mrpl52 enabled early TRM cell formation, while Acss1 controlled TRM cell development under Flcn deficiency-associated lysosomal dysregulation. Thus, the interplay between nutrients, organelle signaling, and metabolic adaptation dictates tissue immunity.

Population genetic structure and ecological differentiation in the bryozoan genus Reteporella across the Azores Archipelago (central North Atlantic)

The processes shaping population dynamics of benthic marine invertebrates with non-planktotrophic larvae are still poorly understood but have seen a renewed interest in applying integrative taxonomic approaches. We used mitochondrial and microsatellite (SSR-GBAS) data to estimate connectivity across islands and seamounts in the central North Atlantic Azores Archipelago in five species of the bryozoan genus Reteporella Busk, 1884. Discordant patterns were inferred between datasets, which might be due to methodological constraints related to the application of multilocus approaches based on amplification to multiple species or due to interspecific introgression in deep waters. A divergent cryptic ecotype of Reteporella atlantica (Busk, 1884) was found in shallow waters, likely resulting from ecologically-driven incipient speciation, posing new questions regarding the role of bathymetrical zonation as a promoter of differentiation. The occurrence of ecologically-driven differentiation and potential interspecific introgression in other bryozoans should be considered, both with potentially important evolutionary and biogeographical consequences. The discovery of incipient species, prompted by ecological factors, calls for the need to consider marine invertebrates when developing conservation strategies in oceanic insular ecosystems.

Drivers of phenotypic variation and plasticity to drought in populations of a Mediterranean shrub along an environmental gradient

Assessing the factors driving intraspecific phenotypic variation is crucial to understand the evolutionary trajectories of plant populations and predict their vulnerability to climate change. Environmental gradients often lead to phenotypic divergence in functional traits and their plasticity across populations. We studied the entire environmental range of the Mediterranean gypsum endemic shrub Helianthemum squamatum to evaluate the factors underlying quantitative population differentiation and phenotypic plasticity to drought, using a common garden with 16 populations that covered the main geographic and the entire climatic range of the species. Sampling followed a hierarchical approach to assess trait genetic variation within and among four distinct geographical regions. We found high but similar plastic responses across populations, which were consistent with adaptive plasticity to drought, including advanced phenology, more sclerophyllous leaves, higher water use efficiency and larger seeds in dry conditions. Despite these generally similar plastic responses, we found significant population differentiation in quantitative traits, part of which was structured at the regional scale. Such differentiation was not associated with environmental variation, including differences in climate and soil conditions. This suggests that non-adaptive processes might have had a role on genetic differentiation in H. squamatum, likely due to the island-like configuration of gypsum habitats and the lack of effective seed dispersal of the study species. Our results emphasize the role of phenotypic plasticity in adaptive drought response and the importance of considering both adaptive and non-adaptive processes shaping intraspecific phenotypic variation, which is crucial for predicting plant population vulnerability to climate change.