Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heavy iron in large gem diamonds traces deep subduction of serpentinized ocean floor

Isotopically heavy metallic iron in sublithospheric diamonds reveals deeply subducted serpentinized oceanic peridotite. Subducting tectonic plates carry water and other surficial components into Earth’s interior. Previous studies suggest that serpentinized peridotite is a key part of deep recycling, but this geochemical pathway has not been directly traced. Here, we report Fe-Ni–rich metallic inclusions in sublithospheric diamonds from a depth of 360 to 750 km with isotopically heavy iron (δ56Fe = 0.79 to 0.90‰) and unradiogenic osmium (187Os/188Os = 0.111). These iron values lie outside the range of known mantle compositions or expected reaction products at depth. This signature represents subducted iron from magnetite and/or Fe-Ni alloys precipitated during serpentinization of oceanic peridotite, a lithology known to carry unradiogenic osmium inherited from prior convection and melt depletion. These diamond-hosted inclusions trace serpentinite subduction into the mantle transition zone. We propose that iron-rich phases from serpentinite contribute a labile heavy iron component to the heterogeneous convecting mantle eventually sampled by oceanic basalts.
Real-world database analysis of the characteristics and treatment patterns of patients with endometrial cancer in Japan

Abstract Objective The aim was to identify the characteristics and treatment patterns of early and advanced stage endometrial cancer patients using real-world data. Methods Patients’ data extracted from a Japanese health insurance claims database were analyzed. Results Of the 12,449 endometrial cancer patients, 74.4% were in stage I, 5.1% in stage II, 12.0% in stage III, and 8.4% in stage IV. Their median age was 60.5 years, higher in advanced stages (III/IV) than in early stages (I/II). Overall, 11,055 patients (88.8%) underwent surgery, and 4977 patients (40.0%) received post-surgery treatment, including chemotherapy (4441: 35.7%), chemoradiation therapy (379: 3.0%), and radiation therapy (157 patients: 1.3%); 1394 patients (11.2%) were not treated by surgery, and 742 patients (6.0%) received other treatment, with chemotherapy (548: 4.4%), radiation therapy (105: 0.8%), and chemoradiation therapy (89: 0.7%). The rate of patients undergoing surgery decreased, and that receiving chemotherapy increased significantly as cancer stage progressed. Paclitaxel/carboplatin was the most frequent first-line regimen (85.4% of patients), whereas various combination and monotherapy regimens were used as second- and third-line regimens. The most frequent second-line monotherapy was paclitaxel. The rate of monotherapy increased as the treatment line progressed (first-line 3.5%, second-line 22.0%, and third-line 36.4%). Conclusions The characteristics and treatment patterns of endometrial cancer patients differed between early and advanced stages, as did the chemotherapy regimens among first-, second-, and third-lines. Since various regimens were used for second- and third-line chemotherapies, development of appropriate second- and third-line chemotherapy regimens is warranted. A real-world analysis of cancer patients using a nationwide claims database may be a valuable approach to identifying unmet medical needs.
Acquiring high expression of suilysin enable non-epidemic Streptococccus suis to cause streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS) through NLRP3 inflammasome hyperactivation

ABSTRACT The epidemic Streptococcus suis (S. suis) strain [Sequence type (ST) 7] was gradually evolving from the non-epidemic ST1 strain and got the ability for high expressing of suilysin (SLY). And the high expression of SLY was required for the epidemic strain to cause NLRP3 hyperactivation, which is essential for the induction of cytokines storm, dysfunction of multiple organs, and a high incidence of mortality, the characters of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS). However, it remains to be elucidated whether acquiring high SLY expression due to genome evolution was sufficient for the non-epidemic strain to cause STSLS. Here, we found that the overexpression of SLY in ST1 strain (P1/7-SLY) could obviously increase the inflammasome activation, which was dependent on NLRP3 signalling. In contrast, the strain (P1/7-mSLY) overexpressing the mutant SLY (protein without hemolytic activity) could not significantly increase the inflammasome activation. Furthermore, similar to the epidemic strain, P1/7-SLY could cause STSLS in nlrp3 +/+ mice but not in nlrp3 −/− mice. In contrast, P1/7-mSLY could not cause STSLS in both nlrp3 +/+ mice and nlrp3 −/− mice. In summary, we demonstrate that genetic evolution enabling S. suis strain to express high level of SLY may be an essential and sufficient condition for NLRP3 inflammasome hyperactivation, which could further cause cytokines storm and STSLS.
Formation of the Glassy State and Mesophase in the Water–Sodium Alginate System

The phase transition of water–sodium alginate with water content (Wc) (grams of water/gram of dry sample) from 0 to 2.5 was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Upon heating, glass transition (Tg), cold crystallization and melting were observed in the Wc range from 0.49 to 2.5. At a Wc less than 0.49, only Tg was observed. During cooling, the crystallization of water in the system was observed from the Wc=0.77. The above difference suggests the presence of glassy water which crystallizes during the heating process. The contribution of non-freezing water and glassy water to Tg and Cp of the system was estimated.
Adsorptive removal of Pb2+ and Cu2+ from stormwater by using water treatment residuals

ABSTRACT The removal of heavy metal ions from stormwater runoff is a global issue. One of the critical solutions is the selection of innovative adsorbent used in stormwater bioretention systems. The potential use of water treatment residuals (WTRs) containing polyaluminium chloride and anionic polyacrylamide to remove divalent lead ions (Pb2+) and divalent copper ions (Cu2+) from stormwater was investigated by batch adsorption experiments with respect to varying adsorption conditions. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined as 224.4 mg Pb2+/g WTRs and 89.0 mg Cu2+/g WTRs under acidic conditions. The adsorption process might be simultaneously controlled by surface adsorption and intraparticle diffusion. WTRs can be considered as an effective and promising media in stormwater bioretention systems to remove both ions due to its advantage of low cost, wide availability, and relatively large adsorption capacity. Further studies should be performed by using fixed bed columns at a pilot scale before field trials.
A Train Wreck by Any Other Name

This interesting paper by Sherman and Rivers (in press) seems to have a narrower point (which its authors argue for very explicitly) and a broader point (which they argue for much less explicitly.) The narrower point is that the phrase ‘social priming’ (and some other alternative labels that have cropped up in this context recently) are exceptionally poor labels for the body of priming research that has been called into question in a torrent of failed replication attempts appearing within the last 10 years or so (sometimes referred to as “the train wreck”). We agree with this narrower point, with a few important qualifications. Sherman and Rivers’ broader point is a suggestion, which runs through the paper but is never quite explicitly stated, that the onslaught of non-replications has not really brought to light anything terribly worrisome or misguided about the field and its prevailing research practices. The authors’ view seems to be that the field was doing about as well as one should expect of a scientific field, but suffered the misfortune of having a good number of outsiders wander in and stir up trouble in various ways. The biggest problem, they seem to suggest, was basically one of public relations rather than substance (especially, that a Nobel Laureate regrettably used somewhat inflammatory language to describe his frustration with research in the area, an event that got fairly wide coverage). We are one of the groups who have been viewed by some as marauding outsiders, although one of us is a social psychologist. Beginning around 2010, we tried to replicate some of the most (to us) surprising and fascinating priming results coming out of the social cognition field, as did numerous other labs around the same time (e.g., Doyen, Klein, Pichon, & Cleeremans, 2012; Harris, Coburn, Rohrer, & Pashler, 2013, Klein et al., 2014; Pashler, Rohrer, & Harris, 2013; Shanks et al., 2013). Our direct replication attempts, usually with larger n’s than the original studies, resulted in a stream of completely negative results, and left us with a rather different perspective on the situation than Sherman and Rivers. We think that the unreproducibility of such a high fraction of the well-known results on a purported phenomenon (essentially 100%, depending on what is counted) is extremely troubling and should, as it has, engender deep concern about research practices in any field. We see it as reflecting systemic problems that were (and perhaps still are) very widespread in social cognition (and perhaps a far wider swath of research topics), including a lack of recognition of the crucial importance of direct replications, the erroneous belief that conceptual replications offer an adequate substitute for direct replications, and a lack of an ethic of personal responsibility for authors of questioned research to reproduce their own findings and report candidly on their ability or inability to do so whenever possible.
Determinants of fast-food restaurant service quality in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract This research posits and empirically tests the relative importance of five key determinants of service quality in fast-food restaurants (FFRs, also known as quick-service restaurants) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using a survey methodology, data were collected from 491customers to test the proposed model and associated hypotheses. The structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis results showed that assurance, responsiveness, tangibility, and empathy are significant predictors of perceived service quality of FFRs. However, reliability was not a significant predictor. This study is important because it is the first study that examines the determinants of service quality of FFRs in the UAE. The findings provide valuable insights for restaurant managers in the UAE to make informed decisions regarding the improvement of service quality of FFRs in the UAE. This study also contributes to the literature of FFR service quality by validating the SERVPERF instrument in a unique non-western country context.
Measurements for the institutional cohesion dimension of the standard model of military group cohesion

ABSTRACT Notwithstanding the prominence of the so-called Standard Model of Military Group Cohesion (SMMGC), important parts of the model are understudied: both conceptually and empirically. In this article we, first, synthesize previous research to conceptualize and measure the overlooked institutional cohesion dimension. Second, we test the validity of the proposed full four-dimensional SMMGC model using a survey of an Italian Alpini battalion, and more rigorous methods than in previous research. Results are supportive of our proposed measurements and the validity of the four-dimensional model. We thus make a methodological and an empirical contribution to further the ongoing debate on military cohesion.
Impact of organizational culture on quality management and innovation practices among manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria

Abstract This study aimed to examine the impact of organizational culture on quality management and innovation practices among manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria. Empirical data were collected from 570 manufacturing SMEs in three states in Northern Nigeria (Kano. Kaduna and Katsina). A convenience sampling technique was used to obtain data from SMEs in the study area. The study used PLS model to test the hypothesized relationship and the results indicate that six out of the eight hypotheses were supported while only two were not supported. The study found that adhocracy culture, clan culture, market culture, and hierarchy culture were positively related to innovation. On the other hand, clan culture and market culture were positively related to quality management, while adhocracy and hierarchy cultures were discovered to be negatively associated with quality management. The findings revealed that SMEs that maintain aggressively, and results-oriented focus, remain results-oriented, with priority getting the job done, promote hard-driving competitiveness, high demands, and achievement. Thus, embark on aggressive competitive actions, remain committed to meeting targets, and define success by winning in the marketplace and outpacing the competition could improve both their innovation and quality management performance. Therefore, embracing a sound organizational culture could lead SMEs to more significant innovation and quality management performance.
Stock separation of the shallow-water hake Merluccius capensis in the Benguela ecosystem using otolith shape analysis

The fishing industry is an important economic sector in Namibia and South Africa, with the shallow-water hake Merluccius capensis being an important target species. Recent genetic studies of M. capensis found two stocks in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, one in the north (17–29° S) and one in the south (29–36° S), and a proposed mixed stock in the Orange River area (around 29° S). The present study investigated the use of otolith shape analysis for purposes of stock-structure analysis of M. capensis. Merluccius capensis otolith samples were collected during demersal-trawl surveys along the Benguela, for the years 1992, 2004 and 2005. Different years were selected to investigate temporal stability in otolith shape in the northern Benguela. A total of 1 628 otolith images were analysed using the shapeR library in R. Otolith shape was analysed using wavelet transformation, and ANOVA-like permutation tests indicated no significant differences between the northern (17°31′–25°29′ S) and central (25°30′–29°05′ S) Benguela for all years but showed significant differences between the northern and southern (29°05′–35°50′ S) Benguela. This study therefore demonstrated that otolith shape could be used for stock discrimination of M. capensis. It confirmed one stock of M. capensis in the northern and central Benguela and another in the southern Benguela, which supports the current, separate management approach for this species. It also showed some differences in otolith shape from the 1990s to the 2000s, which could be explained by increased movement of the southern Benguela stock to the northern Benguela and increased hybridisation in the later years.
Audiences behind the Paywall: News Navigation among Established versus Newly Added Subscribers

Abstract How audiences behave behind newspaper paywalls is, in research, almost unknown territory. In editorial offices, however, this has become common knowledge, since traffic data is available around the clock. In this study, we have had the opportunity to study how subscribers with different degrees of subscription experience behave behind the paywall. In the analysis, we use traffic data generated from tracking scripts and stored in Amazon Redshift. The results are unambiguous. Readers with a paid subscription show a higher degree of activity, greater involvement, and more varied usage than do newly added readers with a free subscription, independent of age. Following subscribers with free subscriptions over time shows that their behaviour mainly is negative, with an overall lower degree of activity. Young subscribers with short-term accounts show the lowest degree of activity, independent of the measurement used. Implications of the results are discussed.
Three new species of Zercon C. L. Koch (Acari: Zerconidae) from the Coastal Aegean Section of Turkey

ABSTRACT In the present study, three new species of zerconid mites, Zercon izmirensis sp. nov., Zercon manisaensis sp. nov. and Zercon semizi sp. nov., obtained from materials collected in Aydın, İzmir and Manisa provinces, from the Coastal Aegean Section of Turkey, are described. Adult and nymph specimens of all new Zercon species are described and illustrated. Some morphological characters of the new species are discussed and compared with those of related species in the same genus using published descriptions and illustrations.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:12DF0B36-C73C-4DD5-828F-568DF6BBE03B
Measuring the atomic scattering factors near the iridium L-edges for the Athena silicon pore optics reflector

Abstract. Athena, a future high-energy mission, is expected to consist of a large aperture x-ray mirror with a focal length of 12 m. The mirror surface is to be coated with iridium and a low Z overcoat. To define the effective area of the x-ray telescope, the atomic scattering factors of iridium with an energy resolution less than that (2.5 eV) of the x-ray integral field unit are needed. We measured the reflectance of the silicon pore optics mirror plate coated with iridium in the energy range of 9 to 15 keV and that near the iridium L-edges in steps of 10 and 1.5 eV, respectively, at the synchrotron beamline SPring-8. The L3, L2, and L1 edges were clearly detected around 11,215, 12,824, and 13,428 eV, respectively. The measured scattering factors were ∼3 % smaller than the corresponding values reported by Henke et al., likely due to the presence of an overlayer on the iridium coating, and were consistent with those measured by Graessle et al. The angular dependence of the reflectivity measured indicates that the iridium surface was extremely smooth, with a surface roughness of 0.3 nm.
Hyperspectral image segmentation using 3D regularized subspace clustering model

Abstract. The accurate segmentation of remotely sensed hyperspectral images has widespread attention in the Earth observation and remote sensing communities. In the past decade, most of the efforts focus on the development of different supervised methods for hyperspectral image classification. Recently, the computer vision community is developing unsupervised methods that can adapt to new conditions without leveraging expensive supervision. In general, among unsupervised classification methods, sparse subspace clustering (SSC) is a popular tool that achieves good clustering results on experiments with real data. However, for the specific case of hyperspectral clustering, the SSC model does not take into account the spatial information of such images, which limits its discrimination capability and hampering the spatial homogeneity of the clustering results. As a solution, we propose to incorporate a regularization term to the SSC model, which takes into account the neighboring spatial information of spectral pixels in the scene. Specifically, the proposed method uses a three-dimensionall (3D) Gaussian filter to perform a 3D convolution on the sparse coefficients, obtaining a piecewise-smooth representation matrix that enforces an averaging constraint in the SSC optimization program. Extensive simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, achieving an overall accuracy of up to 99% in the selected hyperspectral remote sensing datasets.
Wolbachia Across Social Insects: Patterns and Implications

Abstract Wolbachia is one of the most common intracellular symbionts among insects, but the function of this infection and its effects on the host still remain largely unknown for many taxa. In the case of many social insects, living in colonies results in close interactions, facilitating the dispersion of the symbiont. However, having only one caste responsible for reproduction (queens) could restrict infections. Several groups of social insects have been reported to be highly infected with these symbionts. However, Wolbachia associations across social and closely related non-social insects in a comparative framework has not been examined to date, which may help us understand the role social behavior, geography, and ecology plays in structuring this association. Since 2006 the Multi-Locus Sequencing Type (MLST) approach has been shown to be appropriate for diversity studies, which consists of sequencing five genes spread across the Wolbachia genome. Over the past 15 yr, studies using this approach have been conducted worldwide and have generated large volumes of data. In this review article, we intend to produce a meta-analysis by combining MLST data from across social insects (ants, bees, termites, wasps) and beyond, together with their closest relatives to better elucidate the patterns behind the diversity of this symbiotic interaction. Our main findings reveal that the diversity of Wolbachia (supergroups) is correlated with the host insect taxonomy, biogeography, and social/solitary behavior. In addition, solitary insects such as bees and wasps can interact with a greater diversity of Wolbachia supergroup compared to their social representatives.
Evolutionary Diversification in Insect Vector–Phytoplasma–Plant Associations

Abstract The association between insect herbivores and vascular plants represents one of the greatest success stories in terrestrial evolution. Specific mechanisms generating diversity in the association remain poorly understood, but it has become increasingly clear that microbes play important roles in mediating plant–insect interactions. Previous research on phytoplasmas (Acholeplasmatales: Acholeplasmataceae), a diverse group of plant-pathogenic bacteria, and their hemipteran insect vectors suggests that this system provides a new model for understanding how interactions among distantly related but ecologically associated groups of organisms can drive evolutionary diversification. Phytoplasma infections affect the phenotypes of both plants and vectors, altering functional traits (e.g., diet breadth) and mediating host shifts which may, in turn, alter genetic and phylogenetic patterns. This review highlights previous research on the functional ecology and phylogenetic components of phytoplasma-plant-vector (PPV) associations relevant to the evolutionary diversification of this system. Although phytoplasmas and their hosts occur in most terrestrial biomes and have evolved together over the past 300+ million years, major gaps in knowledge of PPV associations remain because most prior research on the system focused on strategies for mitigating effects of phytoplasma diseases in agroecosystems. Study of this system within a broader evolutionary context could help elucidate mechanisms by which interactions between insect herbivores, microbes, and plants drive biological diversification and also help predict the emergence of diseases affecting agriculture. Future research should more thoroughly document PPV associations in natural habitats, examine the relative prevalence of cospeciation versus host shifts in this system, and test possible macroevolutionary consequences of host manipulation by phytoplasmas.