Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Insights into the Role of Alternating Temperatures and Cyanide in the ROS-Mediated Cardoon Seed Dormancy Termination

Physiological dormancy in wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris) can be terminated by achenes exposure to alternating temperatures, likely with the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cyanide is a natural compound that mediates seed dormancy removal in some plant species in association with oxidative signalling exerted by ROS. To date, no study has been conducted on the cyanide effect on ROS homeostasis during the germination of cardoon. Here, we showed that the addition of cyanide at low concentrations in dormant cardoon achenes promotes dormancy breakage at a constant temperature, speeds up germination to alternating temperatures and promotes ROS accumulation in embryonic axes of dormant achenes. The in-silico transcriptome analysis showed that the expression levels of transcripts of genes associated with ROS signalling and production, calcium signalling, gibberellins biosynthesis and cell wall loosening were significantly up-regulated at the alternating temperatures imbibition condition. In contrast, the expression of gene transcripts associated with the inhibition of germination, ABA biosynthesis and signalling were up-regulated at the constant temperature imbibition. However, no significant difference in lipid peroxidation or protein carbonylation levels was observed when achenes were imbibed at constant or alternating temperature conditions. These results suggest that dormancy termination triggered by alternating temperatures or cyanide could be mediated by ROS production and signalling in the cardoon embryonic axis, but this does not determine extensive protein carbonylation.
COMMUNICATION OF DEPENDENT MESSAGES OVER COMPOUND CHANNELS

In the communication of multimedia content, certain dependency structure often exists among the source-coded messages by different source coding techniques, where by “dependency” we mean the dependent contributions of the messages to the overall reconstruction quality. Motivated by such notion of dependency, this thesis considers the problem of communicating dependent source-coded messages over compound channels, which include the attractive wireless channels and packet-loss channels. In this thesis we propose a novel framework to model arbitrary dependency structure among sourcecoded messages from the source-reconstruction perspectives, and formulate the problem of communicating such messages over compound channels as the problem of maximizing the average utility at the receiver. Over discrete memoryless channels (DMC), we derive the expression of maximal achievable utility, which appears to be governed by the channel coding theorem. Over degraded compound channels, we study analytically the maximal achievable utility by superposition codes. To achieve the maximal utility, the encoder chooses the best sub-chain in the utility graph and encodes it using the best superposition code. For the case of two source-coded messages, we show that the maximal utility achieved by superposition codes is the maximum among all coding schemes. Since in practice layered codes (LC) and multiple description codes (MDC)
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Personal PM2.5-Bound Phthalates Exposure for Adults in Hong Kong

We performed personal PM2.5 monitoring involving 56 adult residents in Hong Kong. Additionally, paired personal and residential indoor fine particle (PM2.5) samples were collected from 26 homes and from 3 fixed monitoring locations (i.e., outdoor samples). Six PM2.5-bound phthalate esters (PAEs)—including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)—were measured using a thermal desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometer method. Average ∑6PAEs (i.e., summation of six PAE congeners) concentrations in personal PM2.5 exposure (699.4 ng/m3) were comparable with those in residential indoors (646.9 ng/m3), and both were slightly lower than the outdoor levels. DEHP was the most abundant PAE congener (80.3%–85.0%) and found at the highest levels in different exposure categories, followed by BBP, DnBP, and DnOP. Strong correlations were observed between DEHP with DnBP (rs: 0.81–0.90; p < 0.01), BBP (rs: 0.81–0.90; p < 0.01), and DnOP (rs: 0.87–0.93; p < 0.01) in each exposure category. However, no apparent intercorrelations were shown for PAE congeners. Higher indoor concentrations and a stronger correlation between DMP and DEP were found compared with outdoor concentrations. Principal component analysis affirmed heterogeneous distribution and notable variations in PAE sources across different exposure categories. The average daily intakes of ∑6PAEs and DEHP via inhalation were 0.14–0.17 and 0.12–0.16 μg/kg-day for adults in Hong Kong. A time-weighted model was used to estimate PAE exposures incorporating residential indoor and outdoor exposure and time activities. The inhalation cancer risks attributable to measured and estimated personal exposure to DEHP exceeded the U.S. EPA’s benchmark (1 × 10−6). The results provide critical information for mitigation strategies, suggesting that PAEs from both ambient and indoor sources should be considered when exploring the inhalation health risks of PAEs exposure.
AN EMPIRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EXTENDED COOL GAS AROUND GALAXIES USING Mg ii ABSORPTION FEATURES

We report results from a survey of Mg ii absorbers in the spectra of background quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) that are within close angular distances to a foreground galaxy at z < 0.5, using the Magellan Echellette Spectrograph. We have established a spectroscopic sample of 94 galaxies at a median redshift of 〈z〉 = 0.24 in fields around 70 distant background QSOs (zQSO > 0.6), 71 of which are in an “isolated” environment with no known companions and located at ρ ≲ 120 h−1 kpc from the line of sight of a background QSO. The rest-frame absolute B-band magnitudes span a range from MB − 5log h = −16.4 to MB − 5log h = −21.4 and rest-frame BAB − RAB colors range from BAB − RAB ≈ 0 to BAB − RAB ≈ 1.5. Of these “isolated” galaxies, we find that 47 have corresponding Mg ii absorbers in the spectra of background QSOs and rest-frame absorption equivalent width Wr(2796) = 0.1–2.34 Å, and 24 do not give rise to Mg ii absorption to sensitive upper limits. Our analysis shows that (1) Wr(2796) declines with increasing distance from “isolated” galaxies but shows no clear trend in “group” environments; (2) more luminous galaxies possess more extended Mg ii absorbing halos with the gaseous radius scaled by B-band luminosity according to Rgas = 75 × (LB/LB*)(0.35 ± 0.03) h−1 kpc; (3) there is little dependence between the observed absorber strength and galaxy intrinsic colors; and (4) within Rgas, we find a mean covering fraction of 〈κ0.3〉 ≈ 70% for absorbers of Wr(2796) ⩾ 0.3 Å and 〈κ0.1〉 ≈ 80% for absorbers of Wr(2796) ⩾ 0.1 Å. The results confirm that extended Mg ii absorbing halos are a common and generic feature around ordinary galaxies and that the gaseous radius is a fixed fraction of the dark matter halo radius. The lack of correlation between Wr(2796) strength and galaxy colors suggests a lack of physical connection between the origin of extended Mg ii halos and recent star formation history of the galaxies. Finally, we discuss the total gas mass in galactic halos as traced by Mg ii absorbers. We also compare our results with previous studies.
Identifying the active flow regions that drive linear and nonlinear instabilities

A new framework for the analysis of unstable oscillator flows is explored. In linear settings, temporally growing perturbations in a non-parallel flow represent unstable eigenmodes of the linear flow operator. In nonlinear settings, self-sustained periodic oscillations of finite amplitude are commonly described as nonlinear global modes. In both cases the flow dynamics may be qualified as being endogenous, as opposed to the exogenous behaviour of amplifier flows driven by external forcing. This paper introduces the endogeneity concept, a specific definition of the sensitivity of the global frequency and growth rate with respect to variations of the flow operator. The endogeneity, defined both in linear and nonlinear settings, characterizes the contribution of localized flow regions to the global eigendynamics. It is calculated in a simple manner as the local point-wise inner product between the time derivative of the direct flow state and an adjoint mode. This study demonstrates for two canonical examples, the Ginzburg-Landau equation and the wake of a circular cylinder, how an analysis based on the endogeneity may be used for a physical discussion of the mechanisms that drive a global instability. The results are shown to be consistent with earlier 'wavemaker' definitions found in the literature, but the present formalism enables a more detailed discussion: a clear distinction is made between oscillation frequency and growth rate, and individual contributions from the various terms of the flow operator can be isolated and separately discussed. [Truncated]
Weakly Compressible Navier-Stokes Approximation of Gas Dynamics

Title of dissertation: Weakly Compressible Navier-Stokes Approximation of Gas Dynamics Ning Jiang, Doctor of Philosophy, 2006 Dissertation directed by: Professor C. D. Levermore Department of Mathematics This dissertation addresses mathematical issues regarding weakly compressible approximations of gas dynamics that arise both in fluid dynamical and in kinetic settings. These approximations are derived in regimes in which (1) transport coefficients (viscosity and thermal conductivity) are small and (2) the gas is near an absolute equilibrium — a spatially uniform, stationary state. When we consider regimes in which both the transport scales and Re vanish, we derive the weakly compressible Stokes approximation — a linear system. When we consider regimes in which the transport scales vanish while Re maintains order unity, we derive the weakly compressible Navier-Stokes approximation—a quadratic system. Each of these weakly compressible approximations govern both the acoustic and the incompressible modes of the gas. In the fluid dynamical setting, our derivations begin with the fully compressible Navier-Stokes system. We show that the structure of the weakly compressible Navier-Stokes system ensures that it has global weak solutions, thereby extending the Leray theory for the incompressible Navier-Stokes system. Indeed, we show that this is the case in a general setting of hyperbolic-parabolic systems that possess an entropy under a structure condition (which is satisfied by the compressible NavierStokes system.) Moreover, we obtain a regularity result for the acoustic modes for the weakly compressible Navier-Stokes system. In the kinetic setting, our derivations begin with the Boltzmann equation. Our work extends earlier derivations of the incompressible Navier-Stokes system by the inclusion of the acoustic modes. We study the validity of these approximations in the setting of the DiPerna-Lions global solutions. Assuming that DiPerna-Lions solutions satisfy the local conservation law of energy, we use a relative entropy method to justify the weakly compressible Stokes approximation which unifies the Acoustic-Stokes limits result of Golse-Levermore, and to justify the weakly compressible Navier-Stokes approximation modulo further assumptions about passing to the limit in certain relative entropy dissipation terms. This last result extends the result of Golse-Levermore–Saint-Raymond for the incompressible Navier-Stokes system. Weakly Compressible Navier-Stokes Approximation of Gas Dynamics
Growth until Peak Height Velocity Occurs Rapidly in Early Maturing Adolescent Boys

The timing and tempo of growth rate varies inter-individually during adolescence and can have an impact on athletic performance. This study aimed to determine the difference in growth rate for each maturity status. We combined data collected both retrospectively and prospectively from 78 adolescent boys aged 12 years old; growth charts were collected from their elementary school records, and the height of each participant was subsequently measured every six months over a period of two years. Take Off Age (TOA), Peak Height Velocity Age (PHVA), and Final Height Age (FHA) were estimated using the AUXAL 3.1 program. Growth Tempo 1 and 2 were calculated by dividing the height increase by the time difference between TOA and PHVA, and FHA, respectively. Our results showed three group differences based on the maturation status of PHVA: Growth Tempo 1 and 2 were both higher in the early than during middle and late maturation. Additionally, entering the height at each event as a covariate, the group differences for Growth Tempo 1 did not change; however, for Growth Tempo 2, group differences were eliminated. Therefore, we conclude that during early maturation, growth from TOA to PHVA occurs rapidly and in a shorter period.
Formal Verification of Quantum Protocols

We propose to analyse quantum protocols by applying formal verification techniques developed in classical computing for the analysis of communicating concurrent systems. One area of successful application of these techniques is that of classical security protocols, exemplified by Lowe's discovery and fix of a flaw in the well-known Needham-Schroeder authentication protocol. Secure quantum cryptographic protocols are also notoriously difficult to design. Quantum cryptography is therefore an interesting target for formal verification, and provides our first example; we expect the approach to be transferable to more general quantum information processing scenarios. The example we use is the quantum key distribution protocol proposed by Bennett and Brassard, commonly referred to as BB84. We present a model of the protocol in the process calculus CCS and the results of some initial analyses using the Concurrency Workbench of the New Century (CWB-NC).
Canning quality of popular common bean germplasm in Eastern and Central Africa

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes popular in eastern and central Africa were evaluated to determine their suitability for the canning industry. The genotypes were planted at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL), Kawanda-Uganda in the second rainy seasons (July-September) of 2015, 2016 and off season of 2017 (November- February). Two samples per genotype were evaluated at the canning facilities at Kawanda and Michigan State University (MSU) using a protocol based on home canning. One sample per genotype from the 2017 harvest was evaluated at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (AAFC-LRDC) using the industry canning protocol. Data (n=134) was collected on seed moisture content, dry and soaked bean weight, hydration coefficient (HC) and visual quality, including colour retention, appearance, brine clarity, bean splitting and freedom starch/clumps on replicated samples. Additional data on unreplicated samples were collected on 100-seed weight, seed solids for canning, hydration coefficient after soaking (HCS), hydration coefficient after blanching (HCB), drain weight (%), matting, appearance, seed color, texture, and cooking quality traits including hard seed and partially hydrated seed (%) and HC after cooking. Analysis of variance of data from MSU and Kawanda showed significant (P≤0.01) differences among genotypes for the assessed parameters. Majority of the genotypes expressed good soaking ability considering that their HC were above the 1.8 recommended for canning and 28% combined the two mentioned traits with good overall canning quality visual rating. Apart from 26, all other varieties had good HC based on data from Canada. About 24% of genotypes belonging to various market classes consistently combined this trait with good visual quality. The most outstanding genotypes based on these traits included SAB659 (red mottled), MAC44 (red mottled), NABE21 (cream), NABE12C (cream) and VAX5 (cream), KK8 (red mottled), Bihogo (yellow) and VAX4 (black). These genotypes were superior to the white beans: MEXICO 142, Awash1, and Awash Melka, that were considered as high-quality controls. Results indicated that genotypes of diverse backgrounds, with good canning quality traits exist among the currently utilised varieties and breeding lines. This diversity could be exploited for breeding and varietal promotion in the canning industry. Key words: Common bean, canning, hydration coefficient, visual quality, drained weight
Ground Surface Displacement After a Forest Fire Near Mayya, Eastern Siberia, Using InSAR: Observation and Implication for Geophysical Modeling

Forest fires significantly impact permafrost degradation in the subarctic regions. However, interannual and seasonal variations in surface deformation due to permafrost thawing in burned areas were poorly understood. Measuring the ground surface displacement in fire scars helps us understand the freeze‐thaw dynamics of near‐surface ground and predict the future state, particularly in ice‐rich permafrost regions. This study used the L‐ and C‐band interferometric synthetic aperture radar technique to reveal interannual subsidence and seasonal thaw settlement/frost heave in a fire scar near Mayya, Sakha Republic in Eastern Siberia burned in 2013. We found that the cumulative subsidence was up to 7 cm between 2014 and 2020, most of which had occurred by 2016. The magnitude of seasonal thaw settlement and frost heave varied each year from 2017 to 2020 after the fire, but the interannual change in frost heave corresponded to the temporal variation in precipitation during the thawing season from 2017 to 2020. This suggests that the precipitation amount during the thawing season is related to the magnitude of segregation‐ice formation in the sediments, which determines the frost heave amount. The observed seasonal displacements could not be quantitatively explained by models inferred from the Stefan's equation and volume changes associated with ice‐water phase change. This implies that other models associated with segregated ice (ice lens) formation/thaw are required to explain the observed seasonal displacement.
Influence of solar wind on the Jovian thermosphere.

We aim to explain the reason why Jupiter's upper atmosphere is hotter than initial theories predicted by employing a coupled magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere model. We use this coupled model to study how changes in upstream solar wind dynamic pressure affect Jupiter's thermospheric dynamics, energy balance, aurora and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling currents. The variation in solar wind pressure is investigated on long (_50 Jovian days) and short (3 hours) time scales, which we respectively refer to as steady state and transient state. We vary the solar wind pressure by changing the size of the magnetosphere, as these two parameters are inversely correlated. In steady state, three different configurations are used: compressed, average and expanded magnetospheres. We find that the power dissipated by Joule heating and ion drag increases by —190% from a compressed to expanded magnetosphere. For transient modelling, the magnetosphere is compressed and expanded in a period of 3 hours. Compressions cause a reversal in momentum transfer between the thermosphere and magnetosphere. Compressions and expansions lead to at least a factor-of-two increase in ion drag and Joule heating, resulting in a —2000 TW increase in total power dissipated in the thermosphere and local temperature variations 25 K. Compressions also cause a —450% increase in auroral UV emission whilst expansions increase UV emission modestly by —37%. While these analyses do not provide a definitive answer to the elevated Jovian thermospheric temperature, they show that, in moving from a steady-state to a time-dependent paradigm, the thermospheric response to magnetospheric reconfiguration is characterised by dramatically different distributions of temperature and wind. In particular, magnetospheric compressions produce extensive cells of equatorward flow emanating from the auroral zone, suggesting that a Jovian-like magnetosphere subject to adequately frequent, repeated episodes of contraction/expansion may possess elevated thermospheric temperatures, perhaps even at the level of those observed.
Ha Rotation Curves of z~1 Galaxies: Unraveling the Evolution of the Tully-Fisher Relation

We describe the first results of a programme to obtain rotation curves of z~1 disc galaxies in the near-infrared using the Ha emission line in order to study the Tully-Fisher relation. To put any observed evolution into perspective and to investigate any possible selection biases, we constructed a control sample of low redshift galaxies that had rotation velocities and images available for measuring their dynamical, photometric, and morphological properties. Compared to local objects with isophotal sizes similar to the high redshift targets, we find that our sample of galaxies with spatially resolved rotation curves, the most distant sample so far ( ~0.9), clearly reveals a brightening of ~1.1 mag in the rest-frame B-band. The observed offset can be explained by a combination of increasing surface brightness, decreasing rotation speeds, and slightly smaller disc scale lengths of the high redshift galaxies.
Invasive Prenatal Diagnostic Testing for Aneuploidies in Singleton Pregnancies: A Comparative Review of Major Guidelines

Sophisticated screening protocols for genetic abnormalities constitute an important component of current prenatal care, aiming to identify high-risk pregnancies and offer appropriate counseling to parents regarding their options. Definite prenatal diagnosis is only possible by invasive prenatal diagnostic testing (IPDT), mainly including amniocentesis and chorionic villous sampling (CVS). The aim of this comparative review was to summarize and compare the existing recommendations on IPDT from the most influential guidelines. All the reviewed guidelines highlight that IPDT is indicated based on a positive screening test rather than maternal age alone. Other indications arise from medical history and sonography, with significant variations identified between the guidelines. The earlier time for amniocentesis is unequivocally set at ≥15 gestational weeks, whereas for CVS, the earlier limit varies from ≥10 to ≥11 weeks. Certain technical aspects and the overall approach demonstrate significant differences. Periprocedural management regarding Rhesus alloimmunization, virologic status and use of anesthesia or antibiotics are either inconsistent or insufficiently addressed. The synthesis of an evidence-based algorithm for IPDT is of crucial importance to healthcare professionals implicated in prenatal care to avoid unnecessary interventions without compromising optimal prenatal care.