Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeting mixtures of jarosite and clay minerals for Mars exploration

Abstract Terrestrial thermal environments can serve as analogs for subsurface environments in the search for life because they regularly host microbial communities, which may leave behind biosignatures. This study focused on an acid-sulfate hydrothermal site as an analog for a potentially habitable environment on Mars. A weathered boulder in the thermal area was dissected, revealing an interior marked with disconnected horizons of differently colored materials, very low pH, and increasing temperature. The mineralogy comprised weathering products from andesite (kaolinite, quartz, clinoptilolite) along with sulfate salts (alunite, jarosite, tschermigite, and copiapite) formed by oxidation of sulfide and ferrous iron. Characterization of organic matter in this boulder and several soil samples yielded interesting but surprising results. Both mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy identified organic compounds in portions of the soils and the boulder. Jarosite-associated samples showed more numerous and diverse organic signatures than did Al-bearing silicate samples, despite the lower total organic carbon content of the jarosite-associated soils (0.69 ± 0.07 wt% Corg) compared to the Al-bearing samples (1.28 ± 0.13 wt% Corg). Results from our geochemical, mineralogical, and spectroscopic study of hydrothermal alteration products and salts inform the heterogeneous distribution of inorganic and organic materials that could delineate habitats and demonstrate the limits on organic matter detectability using different analytical techniques. Furthermore, we relate our measurements and results directly to current and upcoming martian missions, and we provide recommendations for detection and characterization of minerals and organics as biosignatures on Mars using instruments on future missions.
Perceived emotional and informational support for cancer: Patients’ perspectives on interpersonal versus media sources

Abstract This study examined cancer patients’ (N = 355, 65.4 % female, Mage = 54.35, SDage = 11.25) perceived emotional and informational support from a variety of interpersonal and media sources. We recruited patients from cancer patient association websites and online cancer forums and asked them to report to what extent they received support from interpersonal and media sources. Patients rated professional sources (e. g., oncologists) and personal sources (e. g., family) as nearly equal sources of emotional support; however, professional sources were rated as significantly greater sources of informational support. Although family and oncologists were the most mentioned interpersonal sources of support, they were also the most mentioned disappointing sources. Of the media sources, online interaction sources (e. g., online support groups) were rated as nearly equivalent sources of emotional support as interpersonal sources. That patients perceived emotional support, not only informational support, from various media sources is promising since interpersonal sources can be disappointing to some patients.
Morphological and Mineralogical Characterization of Coastal Soil Samples of Kanyakumari District by FT-IR, XRD, SEM/EDAX

Qualitative analysis was carried out to determine the major and minor constituent minerals present incoastal soil samples collected from west cost of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu by FT-IR, XRD andSEM/EDAX techniques. From the IR absorption band and the locations of the different peaks, theminerals were identified with the available literature. In addition to the band positions, the sharpness ofbands was helpful in the identification of mineral components. Identification and estimation ofmineralogical composition were carried out by XRD. XRD technique to yield more information about theminerals. FT-IR and XRD methods were non destructive and can be used in the identification ofmineralogical composition. SEM analysis showed the coastal soil samples have different morphologicalstructures like spherical (Al-Si-O), tubular (Si-O), triangular (Fe-Al-Si-O), platy (Ca-Si-O), nearlyspherical (Fe-Ti-O) and irregular (Ca-Al-Si-O) shapes. Elemental analysis (EDAX) confirmed thepresence of silicon in large quantities than the other oxides such as Al, Ca, Fe and Ti.
An age-depth model and revised stratigraphy of vertebrate-bearing units in Natural Trap Cave, Wyoming

Almost a half-century ago excavations at Natural Trap Cave (NTC) began to yield evidence of the steppe paleoecology along the western slope of the Bighorn Mountains in north central Wyoming. The first decade of fieldwork led to the discovery of a diverse fauna that existed at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. Stratigraphic deposits below the entrance of the cave were studied soon after excavations began, but never formally published. Although stratigraphy, taphonomy, and depositional circumstances were briefly discussed over the following years, little has been done to correlate the numerous stratigraphic schemes used by various authors. In this study, four stratigraphic sections were measured and analysed to establish an easily modifiable lithostratigraphic system of nomenclature. We provide the first correlations of all stratigraphic nomenclature used throughout excavations at NTC to facilitate comparisons with current and previous collections and publications. By leveraging more than 100 radioisotopic dates we developed an age-depth model and chronostratigraphic framework to further interrogate spatiotemporal relationships between strata, paleoenvironmental proxies, and fossil assemblages. Deposition is shown to be discontinuous; sediment accumulation in the study area is restricted to the buildup through peak penultimate and Last Glacial maxima. More recent (<10 ka) Holocene deposits unconformably cover the eroded surface of underlying Pleistocene strata. There is active reworking of sediments with transport and deposition of reactivated sediments within the Lower Chamber. We note that the two hiatuses coincide with interglacial periods and may reflect changing depositional circumstances within the cave such as extended periods of non-deposition, erosion, or bypass (possibly leading to deposition in the Lower Chamber). Contrary to previous reports, we demonstrate that it is unlikely a prominent snow cone existed or contributed to the pattern of sediment and fossil distribution within the study area, furthermore, we do not observe a continuous Pleistocene-Holocene transition in the study area. Further stratigraphic work will be needed to better understand the interrelationship between Main and Lower chamber deposits and the evolution of sediment accumulation in NTC.
The Pace of Modern Life, Revisited

Wild populations must continuously adapt to environmental changes or they risk extinction. Such adaptations can be measured as phenotypic rates of change and can allow us to predict patterns of contemporary evolutionary change. About two decades ago, a dataset of phenotypic rates of change in wild populations was compiled. Since then, researchers have used (and expanded) this dataset to look at microevolutionary processes in relation to specific types of human disturbances. Here, we have updated the dataset adding 5257 estimates of phenotypic changes and used it to revisit established patterns of contemporary evolutionary change. Using this newer version, containing 6920 estimates of phenotypic changes, we revisit the conclusions of four published articles. We then synthesize the expanded dataset to compare rates of change across different types of human disturbance. Analyses of this expanded dataset suggests that: 1) a small absolute difference in rates of change exists between human disturbed and natural populations, 2) harvesting by humans results in larger rates of change than other types of disturbances, 3) introduced populations have increased rates of change, and 4) body size does not increase through time. Overall, findings from earlier analyses have largely held-up in analyses of our new dataset that encompass a much larger breadth of species, traits, and human disturbances. Lastly, we found that types of human disturbances affect rates of phenotypic change and we call for this database to serve as a stepping stone for further analyses to understand patterns of contemporary evolution.
Non-linear frequency-dependence of neurovascular coupling in the cerebellar cortex implies vasodilation-vasoconstriction competition

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the process associating local cerebral blood flow (CBF) to neuronal activity (NA). Although NVC provides the basis for the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) effect used in functional MRI (fMRI), the relationship between NVC and NA is still unclear. Since recent studies reported cerebellar non-linearities in BOLD signals during motor tasks execution, we investigated the NVC/NA relationship using a range of input frequencies in acute mouse cerebellar slices of vermis and hemisphere. The capillary diameter increased in response to mossy fiber activation in the 6-300Hz range, with a marked inflection around 50Hz (vermis) and 100Hz (hemisphere). The corresponding NA was recorded using high-density multi-electrode arrays and correlated to capillary dynamics through a computational model dissecting the main components of granular layer activity. Here, NVC is known to involve a balance between the NMDAR-NO pathway driving vasodilation and the mGluRs-20HETE pathway driving vasoconstriction. Simulations showed that the NMDAR-mediated component of NA was sufficient to explain the time-course of the capillary dilation but not its non-linear frequency-dependence, suggesting that the mGluRs-20HETE pathway plays a role at intermediate frequencies. These parallel control pathways imply a vasodilation-vasoconstriction competition hypothesis that could adapt local hemodynamics at the microscale bearing implications for fMRI signals interpretation.
Synthesis of cadmium sulfide‐reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites by pulsed laser ablation in liquid for the enhanced photocatalytic reactions in the visible light

The large‐scale applications of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles (NPs) as a photo‐catalyst are limited by their poor stability (high aggregation tendency) and consequent reduction in the surface area and increased rate of recombination of photoinduced electron‐hole pairs, despite its inherent positive feature of being visible light active. It has been reported that the photocatalytic performance of CdS can be considerably improved if CdS is made as a composite material with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in an optimum ratio. In this work, for the first time, we adopted the technique of pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) to synthesize highly pure CdS NPs and the required CdS/rGO nanocomposites using high purity (99.9%) microstructured CdS and graphene oxide as chemical precursors. PLAL is a simple and rapid 1‐step synthesis process (where the reaction time is reduced from several hours to a few minutes), which does not require high temperature, toxic chemicals, and the final treatment to remove the unwanted by‐products. The optical and morphological characterizations revealed that the anchoring of CdS on rGO transformed the CdS/rGO composite into an efficient photo‐catalyst by enhancing the following positive attributes required for a good photo‐catalyst: (1) The inherent tendency of aggregation of CdS is considerably reduced; CdS NPs with an average grain size of 20 nm are well placed on the rGO sheets; and hence, the surface area of the catalyst was significantly increased to provide more active sites. (2) The reduced rate of photoinduced electron‐hole recombination manifested in the photoluminescence spectrum indicated the effective charge separation. (3) The enhanced light absorption in the visible/infrared region ensured the effectiveness of this material in naturally abundant solar radiation. In the CdS/rGO composite, the rGO sheets play the role of a supporting matrix, cocatalyst, and electron acceptor for CdS. To evaluate the photo‐catalytic performance of CdS/rGO, we applied it as a visible light‐driven photo‐catalyst for degrading methylene blue dye and found that CdS/rGO nanocomposite was more efficient than pure CdS in the visible spectral region. Therefore, PLAL provides a simple and 1‐step route to synthesize high‐purity visible light–driven photo‐catalysts and solar cell material.
FinDerS(+): Real-Time Earthquake Slip Profiles and Magnitudes Estimated from Backprojected Displacement with Consideration of Fault Source Maturity Gradient

The Finite-Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer) algorithm computes rapid line-source rupture models from high-frequency seismic acceleration amplitudes (PGA). In this paper, we propose two extensions to FinDer, called FinDerS and FinDerS+, which have the advantage of taking into account a geological property of the source fault, its structural maturity, as well as its relation to the earthquake slip distribution. These two new algorithms calculate real-time earthquake slip profiles by backprojecting seismic and/or geodetic displacement amplitudes onto the FinDer line-source. This backprojection is based on a general empirical equation established in previous work that relates dynamic peak ground displacement (PGD) at the stations to on-fault coseismic slip. While FinDerS projects PGD onto the current FinDer line-source, FinDerS+ allows the rupture to grow beyond the current model extent to predict future rupture evolution. For an informed interpolation and smoothing of the estimated slip values, FinDerS and FinDerS+ both employ a generic empirical function that has been shown to relate the along-strike gradient of structural maturity of the ruptured fault, the earthquake slip distribution, and the rupture length. Therefore, while FinDer derives magnitudes from a relatively uncertain and general empirical rupture length-magnitude relations, FinDerS and FinDerS+ provide alternate and better informed magnitude estimates using the mean slip of the profiles derived from the integration of fault source maturity. The two new algorithms can incorporate both seismic strong-motion and geodetic displacement data. In order to recover PGD from strong-motion instruments, we double-integrate and high-pass filter ( > 0.075 Hz) the seismic acceleration records. Together, the three algorithms exploit the full spectrum of ground-motions, including high frequencies to derive a source fault model (FinDer) and low frequencies to determine the static offsets along this model (FinDerS and FinDerS+). We test the three algorithms for the 2019 MW 7.1 Ridgecrest (California), 2016 MW 7.0 Kumamoto (Japan), and 2008 MW 7.9 Wenchuan (China) earthquakes. Conclusively, low-frequency PGD data and integration of the fault maturity gradient do not speed-up calculations for these events, but provide additional information on slip distribution and final rupture length, as well as alternative estimates of magnitudes that can be useful to check for consistency across the algorithm suite. The FinDer algorithms systematically outperform previously established real-time PGD-based magnitude estimates in terms of speed and accuracy. The resulting slip distributions can be useful for improved ground-motion prediction given the observed relationship between seismic radiation and fault maturity.
Pyruvate Kinase Is Required for Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis in Helicoverpa armigera

Pyruvate kinase (PYK) is a speed-limited enzyme of glycolysis that catalyzes the formation of pyruvate, and plays an important role in acetyl-CoA synthesis. The acetyl-CoA is the precursor of sex pheromone biosynthesis in Helicoverpa armigera. However, the role of PYK in sex pheromone biosynthesis remains elusive. Here, PYK in H. armigera (HaPYK) was found to be highly expressed in the pheromone glands (PGs). The developmental expression profile of HaPYK was consistent with the fluctuation of sex pheromone release. Function analysis revealed that the knockdown of HaPYK led to a decrease in the levels of pyruvic acid and acetyl-CoA in PGs, which in turn caused a significant decrease in cis-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16: Ald) production, female capability to attract males, and mating frequency. Further study demonstrated that sugar feeding (5% sugar) increased the transcription and enzyme activity of HaPYK, thereby facilitating sex pheromone biosynthesis. Moreover, pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) upregulated HaPYK activity through protein kinase C (PKC), as shown by PKC-specific inhibitor analysis. Altogether, our results revealed that PBAN activated HaPYK by Ca2+/PKC, thereby regulating the synthesis of pyruvate and subsequent acetyl-CoA, ensuring the supply of sex pheromone precursor, and finally facilitating sex pheromone biosynthesis and mating behavior.
Exercise Prior to Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease Improves Endurance Capacity and Hindlimb Blood Flow by Inhibiting Muscle Inflammation

Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with functional decline. Physical exercise has been proven to be an effective therapeutic strategy for PAD; however the effect of exercise initiated before PAD remains unknown. Here, we investigated the preventive effects of exercise on endurance capacity, hindlimb perfusion, and on polarization profile of circulating monocytes and limb muscle macrophages. ApoE−/− mice were subjected to 5-week running wheel exercise or remained sedentary before induction of hindlimb ischemia. The two groups were thereafter kept sedentary. Exercised mice prior to PAD showed higher exhaustive treadmill running distance and time than sedentary mice. Preventive exercise also increased perfusion, arteriole density, and muscle regeneration in the ischemic hindlimb. Moreover, preventive exercise prevented ischemia-induced increased gene expression of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages markers and cytokines in the ischemic muscle, while no changes were observed for anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage markers. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the proportion of circulating pro-inflammatory monocyte subtype decreased whereas that of anti-inflammatory monocytes increased with preventive exercise. Overall, we show that exercise initiated before PAD improves endurance performance and hindlimb perfusion in mice probably via inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization and inflammation in the ischemic muscle. Our study provides experimental evidence for a role of regular exercise in primary prevention of PAD.
A Structural Equation Model of Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: The aim of this study was to examine how body image, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, the feeling of being anxious, depression, fatigue, quality of sleep, and pain influence the quality of life (QoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted from March 2019 and December 2019, 603 patients with RA from five hospitals were evaluated using the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Short Form 36 Health Survey, and Global Pain Scale. The relationship between quality of life and other variables was evaluated by using the structural equation model (SEM). Results: A total of 580 patients were recruited. SEM fitted the data very well with a root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.072. Comparative fit index of 0.966, and Tucker-Lewis index of 0.936. The symptoms and the normalized factor load of six variables showed that the normalized factor load of pain was 0.99. Conclusions: The QoL model was used to fit an SEM to systematically verify and analyze the population disease data, biological factors, and the direct and indirect effects of the symptom group on the QoL, and the interactions between the symptoms. Therefore, the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of RA is a long-term, dynamic, and complex practical process. Patients' personal symptoms, needs, and experiences also vary greatly. Comprehensive assessment of patients' symptoms, needs, and experiences, as well as the role of social support cannot be ignored, which can help to meet patients' nursing needs, improve their mood and pain-based symptom management, and ultimately improve patients' QoL.
Phylogenetic Diversity of Urban Floras in the Central Urals

Modern cities harbor a high diversity of plants, and urban floras are significantly different from non-urban floras especially when considering the proportion of alien species found in cities. However, it is not clear whether urban areas disproportionately select for species from relatively few evolutionary lineages or provide opportunities for species across the full spectrum of plant lineages. Here, we examined the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of the floras in four cities (Yekaterinburg, Kamensk-Uralsky, Krasnoufimsk, and Turinsk) in the understudied region of Central Urals (Russian Federation). We classified native species into indigenous and apophytic species, namely, those that are sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance and those that have expanded their range with human activity, respectively. Alien species were classified into archaeophytes and neophytes according to when they were introduced (i.e., before or after than 1800). Phylogenetic diversity was quantified using Faith’s index to reflect total evolutionary history in urban areas and mean phylogenetic distance (MPD) to reflect species dissimilarity. Phylogenetic diversity of native species was higher than that for alien species, and the standardized effect size (SES) of MPD for natives was positive, reflecting their general dissimilarity from one another, while it was very negative for aliens, showing that they were phylogenetically clustered. However, among natives, apophytes were significantly clustered, while indigenous species were overdispersed. For the aliens, MPD was higher for archaeophytes compared to neophytes, though both groups were significantly clustered. These results show that urbanization leads to a non-random selection of plants. Apophytes and alien plants were composed of closely related species, reflecting similar ecological traits and are likely to be pre-adapted to the environmentally altered and highly disturbed urban environment.