Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active tectonics of the Eastern Sunda and Banda Arcs

The tectonics of the eastern Sunda and Banda arcs of eastern Indonesia are inferred from the centroid depths, seismic moments, and fault plane solutions of 63 large earthquakes that occurred between 1962 and 1984. Source parameters are estimated by inverting long-period, teleseismic P and SH waves. Earthquakes show that the collision of the Australian continent with the Banda arc shortens the upper plate beneath the forearc and back arc basin over the broad area between the Timor and Seram troughs. Along the eastern end of the Sunda arc and along the southern Banda arc, earthquakes reveal that the arc and forearc respond to collision by shortening in the direction of convergence, by elongating in the direction perpendicular to convergence, and by thrusting over the back arc basin. Shallow thrust and strike-slip earthquakes beneath the Banda Basin (the back arc basin) demonstrate that deformation within the back arc accommodates some of the northward motion of the Australian continent. The rate of north-south shortening of the entire upper plate at the longitude of Timor calculated from the seismic moments of the earthquakes over the 22-year period is roughly 20% of the predicted convergence rate between Australia and southeast Asia. Strike-slip faulting within the Banda Basin results also in eastward motion of the Banda arc with respect to western Indonesia and Australia. Eastward extrusion of the Banda arc results in thrusting at the Aru trough. Earthquakes due to thrusting of the back arc basin beneath the volcanic arc are too shallow to corroborate that the arc's polarity has reversed although the Wetar back arc thrust zone at present has a high seismic slip rate. Earthquakes and their mechanisms provide evidence that the lithosphere of the Weber Basin, a 7500-m-deep forearc basin, rests on the subducting lithosphere, without intervening asthenosphere, so that the Weber Basin subsides in response to sinking of the subducting lithosphere. Closure of the Banda Basin is geometrically incompatible with the Australian plate subducting simultaneously beneath both the Timor and Seram troughs. Instead, the Bird's Head, which subducts beneath Seram, is decoupled from the Australian plate in western New Guinea and probably moves west or southwest with respect to Australia. In the eastern Indonesian example, strike-slip faulting plays a major role in the evolution of the collision zone and clearly demonstrates the complexity in three dimensions of continental accretion and mountain building by arc-continent collision.
Association of periodontitis and tooth loss with extent of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aim The objective was to investigate the association of periodontitis and tooth loss with extent of diabetic coronary atherosclerosis. Materials and methods 272 patients who were hospitalized at Shanghai East hospital and underwent a coronary artery calcium (CAC) CT scan were enrolled in this study. Individuals were grouped based on their CAC scores into a normal-to-mild coronary atherosclerosis (AS) group (0 ≤ score ≤ 100, n=184) and a moderate-to-severe group (score≥101, n=88). Periodontitis parameters and number of missing teeth were evaluated for every patient. The severity of periodontitis was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. The taxonomic composition of the microbiota was determined using full-length 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Salivary inflammatory factors were tested by ELISA. Results Clinical attachment loss (CAL) (P =0.05) and the number of teeth lost (P = 0.016) were significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe coronary AS group, with these differences being more obvious in younger patients and patients with short-duration diabetes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CAL (OR = 1.231, 95% CI = 1.066–1.214, P = 0.047) and having 10–19 missing teeth (OR = 1.604, 95% CI = 1.393–6.555, P = 0.05) were strongly associated with the presence of moderate-to-severe coronary AS. Salivary IL-6 and TNF-α levels, as well as levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Neisseria mucosa, were significantly elevated in the moderate-to-severe coronary AS group. Conclusion It was found that both tooth loss and CAL were related to the extent of diabetic coronary AS. Saliva inflammatory factors and oral bacteremia may be new biomarkers for moderate-to-severe coronary AS.
More rapid blood interferon α2 decline in fatal versus surviving COVID-19 patients

Background The clinical outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia is highly variable. Few biological predictive factors have been identified. Genetic and immunological studies suggest that type 1 interferons (IFN) are essential to control SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objective To study the link between change in blood IFN-α2 level and plasma SARS-Cov2 viral load over time and subsequent death in patients with severe and critical COVID-19. Methods One hundred and forty patients from the CORIMUNO-19 cohort hospitalized with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia, all requiring oxygen or ventilation, were prospectively studied. Blood IFN-α2 was evaluated using the Single Molecule Array technology. Anti-IFN-α2 auto-Abs were determined with a reporter luciferase activity. Plasma SARS-Cov2 viral load was measured using droplet digital PCR targeting the Nucleocapsid gene of the SARS-CoV-2 positive-strand RNA genome. Results Although the percentage of plasmacytoid dendritic cells was low, the blood IFN-α2 level was higher in patients than in healthy controls and was correlated to SARS-CoV-2 plasma viral load at entry. Neutralizing anti-IFN-α2 auto-antibodies were detected in 5% of patients, associated with a lower baseline level of blood IFN-α2. A longitudinal analysis found that a more rapid decline of blood IFN-α2 was observed in fatal versus surviving patients: mortality HR=3.15 (95% CI 1.14–8.66) in rapid versus slow decliners. Likewise, a high level of plasma SARS-CoV-2 RNA was associated with death risk in patients with severe COVID-19. Conclusion These findings could suggest an interest in evaluating type 1 IFN treatment in patients with severe COVID-19 and type 1 IFN decline, eventually combined with anti-inflammatory drugs. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifiers NCT04324073, NCT04331808, NCT04341584.
Do plant species influence soil CO2 and N2O fluxes in a diverse tropical forest

[1] To test whether plant species influence greenhouse gas production in diverse ecosystems, we measured wet season soil CO2 and N2O fluxes close to ∼300 large (>35 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH)) trees of 15 species at three clay-rich forest sites in central Amazonia. We found that soil CO2 fluxes were 38% higher near large trees than at control sites >10 m away from any tree (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for large tree presence, a multiple linear regression of soil temperature, bulk density, and liana DBH explained 19% of remaining CO2 flux variability. Soil N2O fluxes adjacent to Caryocar villosum, Lecythis lurida, Schefflera morototoni, and Manilkara huberi were 84%−196% greater than Erisma uncinatum and Vochysia maxima, both Vochysiaceae. Tree species identity was the most important explanatory factor for N2O fluxes, accounting for more than twice the N2O flux variability as all other factors combined. Two observations suggest a mechanism for this finding: (1) sugar addition increased N2O fluxes near C. villosum twice as much (P < 0.05) as near Vochysiaceae and (2) species mean N2O fluxes were strongly negatively correlated with tree growth rate (P = 0.002). These observations imply that through enhanced belowground carbon allocation liana and tree species can stimulate soil CO2 and N2O fluxes (by enhancing denitrification when carbon limits microbial metabolism). Alternatively, low N2O fluxes potentially result from strong competition of tree species with microbes for nutrients. Species-specific patterns in CO2 and N2O fluxes demonstrate that plant species can influence soil biogeochemical processes in a diverse tropical forest.
The effects of pre-task music on exercise performance and associated psycho-physiological responses: a systematic review with multilevel meta-analysis of controlled studies

This systematic review summarized the studies that examined the pre-task music effects on performance aspects and quantitatively analyzed their outcomes. A systematic search for controlled studies investigating the acute effects of pre-task music on physical performance, cognitive aspects and associated psycho-physiological responses was performed through Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases up to 17 May 2023, with thirty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data was analyzed using the robust multilevel meta-analysis model of standardized mean difference “SMD” with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and prediction intervals (PI) were reported. Pre-task music induced improvements of completion time (SMD = −0.24; 95% CI = −0.46 to −0.01; PI = −0.82 to 0.35; p = 0.04), relative mean power (RMP) (SMD = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.60; PI = −0.36 to 1.12; p = 0.003) and fatigue (SMD = −0.20; 95% CI = −0.32 to −0.09; PI = −0.36 to −0.05; p = 0.01), moderate effects on relative peak power (RPP) (SMD = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.85; PI = −0.42 to 1.48; p = 0.005), and high effect on feeling scale (FS) (SMD = 2.42; 95% CI = 0.52 to 4.31; PI = −11.43 to 16.26; p = 0.03). Greater benefits were recorded in jumping performance in males than females (p = 0.01), and for active than trained subjects for completion time (p = 0.02), RPP (p = 0.02) and RMP (p = 0.03). Larger benefits were obtained for FS post-warming up than after testing (p = 0.04). Self-selected music induced greater effects than pseudo- and pre-selected for performance decrement index (p = 0.05) and FS (p = 0.02). It could be concluded that pre-task music improved psychological responses and fatigue-related symptoms associated with exercise performance enhancement.
Exploring the Pressure Characteristics of the PRESERFLO MicroShunt in In Vitro Studies and Effects of Sclera on Device Performance

This study aims to investigate the pressure characteristics of the PRESERFLO MicroShunt, a microinvasive glaucoma device, using an in vitro setup. Additionally, the study explores the impact of the scleral tissue surrounding the device on its pressure and lumen area. Ten PRESERFLO MicroShunts were subjected to an in vitro experimental setup. A constant flow of physiological saline was maintained at 2 μL/min using an infusion syringe pump. The PRESERFLO was connected to a pressure transducer via a 23 G needle. Pressure characteristics were measured under three different conditions: without sclera [sclera (-)], passing through sclera at a 90° angle (sclera 90°), and passing through sclera at a 30° angle (sclera 30°). The lumen area of the device was measured using microscopic observation. We observed peak and trough pressures in this experimental setting; the peak pressure (6.76 mmHg) was significantly higher than the trough pressure of 4.74 mmHg (p = 0.0020) in the sclera (-) condition. Compared to sclera (-), the peak pressures were significantly higher in the sclera 90° (7.81 mmHg, p = 0.0020) and the sclera 30° (7.96 mmHg, p = 0.0039) conditions. Additionally, compared to sclera (-), the trough pressure was significantly higher in the sclera 90° (6.25 mmHg, p = 0.0039) and the sclera 30° (5.76 mmHg, p = 0.037) conditions. The lumen area was significantly smaller in the sclera 90° condition (3515 μm2) than the sclera (-) condition (3927 μm2, p = 0.0078). The study found that when the distal end of PRESERFLO MicroShunt was free and in air, it exhibited both peak and trough pressures. The presence of scleral tissue surrounding the PRESERFLO MicroShunt affects its lumen area and pressure characteristics. Understanding these effects can provide valuable insights into the device’s performance.
The relationship between addiction and hikikomori tendencies: a case-control study

Aim The present study examined the relationship between addiction and hikikomori (extreme social withdrawal) symptoms. Method A group of clinically referred addiction patients (n = 31) and a group of age- and gender-matched non-clinical controls (n = 34) completed a self-report scale for measuring hikikomori symptoms (the Hikikomori Questionnaire-25) along with some other questionnaires assessing substance use (frequency and severity) and quality of life. Results The results showed that addiction patients displayed significantly higher levels of hikikomori symptoms than the non-clinical control (Cohen's d = 3.41); 87.1% even showed such a high score that they were identified as being at risk for the hikikomori syndrome (vs. only 2.9% in the non-clinical control group). Correlational analyses revealed that within the addiction group, the severity of the substance use problem (as quantified by an index of craving) correlated positively with the level of hikikomori symptoms and negatively with quality of life. In other words, the more severe the addiction, the more extreme the social withdrawal tendencies and the lower the quality of life. Conclusion Altogether, the findings provide further support for the marked social impairments of people with substance use problems and underline that this should be an important target of intervention.
No Association between SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Polymorphism of the Toll-like Receptor 7 (TLR7) Gene in Female Population

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a single-stranded RNA virus. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) recognizes single-stranded RNA viruses. The TLR7 gene plays a critical role in the human innate and adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infections. Genetic factors probably affect SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility. In the current study, our aim was to search for genetic variations associated with COVID-19 patients in the TLR7 gene of a Korean population. We designed five gene-specific primers to cover the coding region of the human TLR7 gene. Using amplicon sequencing, we screened the genetic polymorphisms in the coding region of the TLR7 gene in COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. The genotype frequencies, allele frequencies, and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were examined. We identified a low-frequency synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs864058) in the coding region of the TLR7 gene. There were no significant differences in the genotype or allele frequencies of the TLR7 rs864058 polymorphism between COVID-19 female patients and healthy controls (p = 1.0). In conclusion, TLR7 (rs864058) polymorphism is low frequency in Korean populations and is not associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Behavioral dominance interactions between two species of burying beetles (Nicrophorus orbicollis and Nicrophorus pustulatus)

Closely related species with ecological similarity often aggressively compete for a common, limited resource. This competition is usually asymmetric and results in one species being behaviorally dominant over the other. Trade-offs between traits for behavioral dominance and alternative strategies can result in different methods of resource acquisition between the dominant and subordinate species, with important consequences for resource partitioning and community structure. Body size is a key trait thought to commonly determine behavioral dominance. Priority effects (i.e., which species arrives at the resource first), however, can also determine the outcome of interactions, as can species-specific traits besides size that give an advantage in aggressive contests (e.g., weapons). Here, we test among these three alternative hypotheses of body size, priority effects, and species identity for what determines the outcome of competitive interactions among two species of burying beetles, Nicrophorus orbicollis and N. pustulatus. Both overlap in habitat and seasonality and exhibit aggressive competition over a shared breeding resource of small vertebrate carrion. In trials, we simulated what would happen upon the beetles’ discovery of a carcass in nature by placing a carcass and one beetle of each species in a container and observing interactions over 13 h trials (n = 17 trials). We recorded and categorized interactions between beetles and the duration each individual spent in contact with the carcass (the key resource) to determine which hypothesis predicted trial outcomes. Body size was our only significant predictor; the largest species won most aggressive interactions and spent more time in contact with the carcass. Our results offer insight into the ecology and patterns of resource partitioning of N. orbicollis and N. pustulatus, the latter of which is unique among local Nicrophorus for being a canopy specialist. N. pustulatus is also unique among all Nicrophorus in using snake eggs, in addition to other carrion, as a breeding resource. Our results highlight the importance of body size and related trade-offs in ecology and suggest parallels with other coexisting species and communities.
The concepts and problems of post-harvest food losses in perishable crops

The loss of foods in the post-harvest system is not new; it has always been a problem for mankind. In these days of rapidly enlarging population in the poorest countries of the world where food is already short, there is an increasing urgency to do a better job of conserving mankind food supply in order to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. The main objective of this review is to find out the concepts and problems of post-harvest food losses in perishable crops. It examined the various concepts of postharvest food losses, the importance of perishable crops, causes of food losses, environmental consideration and its influence on food losses. It also sought solutions to some of the identified problems. It was established from the review that the factors contributing to these food losses include; the initial quality of the crop, mechanical injury, temperature, storage atmosphere, genetic factors and environmental influence. In order to minimize these problems, the appropriate agricultural techniques such as the general principles of extending shelf-life of these crops must be put in place. There should be proper management of temperature, humidity and effective methods for preventing these losses. Since most national governments acknowledge that post – harvest food losses is complex, therefore, it requires a commitment to an integrated approach, involving numerous organizations, including local communities and groups.
WILD PLANTS USED AS MEDICINAL PURPOSE in YALOVA (NORTHWEST TURKEY)

In this study, medicinal uses and methods of administration of 45 wild plant taxa belonging to 27 families in Yalova are documented. The plant specimens were collected with informants. During the field works all the settlements (58 villages) were visited. The information was recorded and the col ­ lected plants were identified and prepared voucher specimens were kept in the Herbarium of Istanbul University Faculty of Pharmacy (ISTE).
Zircon ages and the distribution of Archaean and Proterozoic rocks in the Rauer Islands

The application of zircon U-Pb geochronology using the SHRIMP ion microprobe to the Precambrian high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Rauer Islands on the Prydz Bay coast of East Antarctica, has resulted in major revisions to the interpreted geological history. Large tracts of granitic orthogneisses, previously considered to be mostly Proterozoic in age, are shown here to be Archaean, with crystallization ages of 3270 Ma and 2800 Ma. These rocks and associated granulite-facies mafic rocks and paragneisses account for up to 50% of exposures in the Rauer Islands. Unlike the 2500 Ma rocks in the nearby Vestfold Hills which were cratonized soon after formation, the Rauer Islands rocks were reworked at about 1000 Ma under granulite to amphibolite facies conditions, and mixed with newly generated felsic crust. Dating of components of this felsic intrusive suite indicates that this Proterozoic reworking was accomplished in about 30–40 million years. Low-grade retrogression at 500 Ma was accompanied by brittle shearing, pegmatite injection, partial resetting of U-Pb geochronometers and growth of new zircons. Minor underformed lamprophyre dykes intruded Hop and nearby islands later in the Phanerozoic. Thus, the geology of the Rauer Islands reflects reworking and juxtaposition of unrelated rocks in a Proterozoic orogenic belt, and illustrates the important influence of relatively low-grade fluid-rock interaction on zircon U-Pb systematics in high-grade terranes.
Self-Control as a Mediator between Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life in Cancer Patient Primary Caregivers

This study was conducted to identify the influence of the burden of care on the quality-of-life dimensions and examine the role of self-control as a mediator on the burden of care and the quality-of-life dimensions among primary caregivers of cancer patients who are in the terminal phase. This cross-sectional study involves 97 primary caregivers of terminal-phase cancer patients who were selected using purposeful sampling. The Adult Carer Quality of Life Questionnaire (AC-QoL), Zarit Burden Interview (J-ZBI-8), and Pearlin’s Sense of Mastery questionnaires were used in this study. Based on data analysis using Smart-PLS-Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) the direct analysis showed that subscale in care load, that is role strain had a significant negative influence on the quality of life in terms of support for caring, caring stress, personal growth, and the ability to care. Meanwhile, the subscale under the burden of care, that is personal strain, had a significant negative influence on the quality of life in terms of caring stress. Additionally, the analysis of indirect relationships revealed that self-control was found not to act as a mediator in the relationship between burden, caring stress and quality of life of the primary caregiver. This study has implications for the family of caregivers who experience the burden of care, especially in terms of role strain and personal strain, thus affecting several dimensions of their quality of life. Thus, in order to improve the quality of life among the primary caregivers of those cancer patients at the terminal stage, social workers in the helping profession field need to implement some appropriate approaches, methods, and techniques that will help to give sufficient mental, emotional, social and family support among the caregivers.
Controls on the coastal environment and their changes under climate change: a case study for the Island of Okinawa in the western pacific

Coastal environments are increasingly under threat due to the climate impacts associated with global warming and increasing terrestrial impacts through coastal development and inappropriate land management. As a result, a third of the world's coral reefs are facing the threat of extinction. In order to conserve and manage coral reef ecosystems, it is important to accurately assess the interactions of natural and anthropogenic (including climatic) stresses that are operating.