Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Dissection of Phosphorus Use Efficiency and Genotype-by-Environment Interaction in Maize

Genotype-by-environment interaction (G-by-E) is a common but potentially problematic phenomenon in plant breeding. In this study, we investigated the genotypic performance and two measures of plasticity on a phenotypic and genetic level by assessing 234 maize doubled haploid lines from six populations for 15 traits in seven macro-environments with a focus on varying soil phosphorus levels. It was found intergenic regions contributed the most to the variation of phenotypic linear plasticity. For 15 traits, 124 and 31 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for genotypic performance and phenotypic plasticity, respectively. Further, some genes associated with phosphorus use efficiency, such as Zm00001eb117170, Zm00001eb258520, and Zm00001eb265410, encode small ubiquitin-like modifier E3 ligase were identified. By significantly testing the main effect and G-by-E effect, 38 main QTL and 17 interaction QTL were identified, respectively, in which MQTL38 contained the gene Zm00001eb374120, and its effect was related to phosphorus concentration in the soil, the lower the concentration, the greater the effect. Differences in the size and sign of the QTL effect in multiple environments could account for G-by-E. At last, the superiority of G-by-E in genomic selection was observed. In summary, our findings will provide theoretical guidance for breeding P-efficient and broadly adaptable varieties.
Sales volume and online reviews in a sequential game

Abstract In the age of e-commerce, consumers tend to base their purchasing decisions on online information, including the sales volume and the online reviews of products. To investigate the impact of such behaviour on firms’ competition strategy, we built a two-period model, which includes a leader firm that exists in the market for both periods and a follower firm that only enters the market in the second period. We consider three circumstances of online information: with no information, with sales volume information only, and with both sales volume and online reviews information. We show that when only sales volume information is available, the leader firm can always gain a competitive advantage over the follower firm in the second period. However, with the availability of both sales volume and online reviews, under certain conditions, the follower firm will be more competitive in the second period. Furthermore, neither sales volume information nor online reviews can guarantee the leader firm a higher profit.
Around Uncertainty Principles of Ingham-type on $\R^n$, $\T^n$ and Two Step Nilpotent Lie Groups

Classical results due to Ingham and Paley-Wiener characterize the existence of nonzero functions supported on certain subsets of the real line in terms of the pointwise decay of the Fourier transforms. We view these results as uncertainty principles for Fourier transforms. We prove certain analogues of these uncertainty principles on the $n$-dimensional Euclidean space, the $n$-dimensional torus and connected, simply connected two step nilpotent Lie groups. We also use these results to show a unique continuation property of solutions to the initial value problem for time-dependent Schr\"odinger equations on the Euclidean space and a class of connected, simply connected two step nilpotent Lie groups.
Automated Optic Disc and Cup Segmentation for Glaucoma Detection from Fundus Images Using the Detectron2's Mask R-CNN

Glaucoma is a chronic, degenerative optic neuropathy and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Individuals with glaucoma do not show typical symptoms for years and can become advanced before patients notice an extensive visual field loss. Therefore, early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss from this blinding disease. Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR), the ratio of the vertical diameter of the cup over the vertical diameter of the disc in the optic nerve head region, is an important structural indicator for glaucoma. Estimation of VCDR requires accurate segmentation of optic disc (OD) and optic cup (OC) on fundus images. However, manual annotation of the disc and cup area is time-consuming and is subjective to personal experience and opinion. In this study, we proposed an automated deep learning approach for OD and OC segmentation and VCDR derivation from fundus images using Detectron2, a state-of-the-art object detection platform. We trained Mask R-CNN models for OD and OC segmentation and VCDR evaluation. We assessed the performance of our method using the Retinal Fundus Glaucoma Challenge (REFUGE) dataset in terms of the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) for OD and OC, and the mean absolute error (MAE) for VCDR. Our method achieved highly accurate results with a DSC of 0.9622 for OD, a DSC of 0.8870 for OC, and an MAE of 0.0376 for VCDR on the hold-out testing images. This implementation surpassed all top-performing methods in the REFUGE challenge by improving OD and OC DSC by 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively, and reducing the VCDR MAE by 9%. Our method provided an accurate and automated solution for OD and OC segmentation and VCDR estimation.
Variability of the coronal line region in NGC 4151

We present the first extensive study of the coronal line variability in an active galaxy. Our data set for the nearby source NGC 4151 consists of six epochs of quasi-simultaneous optical and near-infrared spectroscopy spanning a period of about 8yr and five epochs of X-ray spectroscopy overlapping in time with it. None of the coronal lines showed the variability behaviour observed for the broad emission lines and hot dust emission. In general, the coronal lines varied only weakly, if at all. Using the optical [Fe VII] and X-ray O VII emission lines we estimate that the coronal line gas has a relatively low density of ne ∼ 10 3 cm −3 and a relatively high ionization parameter of logU ∼ 1. The resultant distance of the coronal line gas from the ionizing source is about two light years, which puts this region well beyond the hot inner face of the obscuring dusty torus. The high ionization parameter implies that the coronal line region is an independent entity rather than part of a continuous gas distribution connecting the broad and narrow emission line regions. We present tentative evidence for the X-ray heated wind scenario of Pier & Voit. We find that the increased ionizing radiation that heats the dusty torus also increases the cooling efficiency of the coronal line gas, most likely due to a stronger adiabatic expansion.
Seasonal variation in concentrations of N, P and K in different components of Bruguiera parviflora (Wight and Arnold) at three growth stages in Malaysia

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in different components of Bruguiera parviflora were analysed at seedlings, saplings and trees stage during the intermediate (March), dry (July) and wet (November) seasons in Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Malaysia. Leaves and buds of B. parviflora contained higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium than the woody components (branches and stems). Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in different components of B. parviflora seedlings, saplings and trees showed seasonal fluctuation and comparatively high contents were observed during the intermediate seasons (March 02 and 03). Moreover, N, P and K in different components of seedlings, saplings and trees showed positive correlation with their respective concentrations in the soil.
DIFFERENTIAL GALOIS THEORY AND MECHANICS

The classical Galois theory deals with certain finite algebraic extensions and establishes a bijective order reversing correspondence between the intermediate fields and the subgroups of a group of permutations called the Galois group of the extension. It has been the dream of many mathematicians at the end of the nineteenth century to generalize these results to systems of algebraic partial differential (PD) equations and the corresponding finitely generated differential extensions, in order to be able to add the word differential in front of any classical statement. The achievement of the Picard-Vessiot theory by E. Kolchin between 1950 and 1970 is now well known. The purpose of this paper is to sketch the general theory for such differential extensions and algebraic pseudogroups by means of new methods mixing differential algebra, differential geometry and algebraic geometry. As already discovered by E. Vessiot in 1904 through the use of automorphic systems, a concept never acknowledged, the main point is to notice that the Galois theory (old and new) is mainly a study of principal homogeneous spaces (PHS) for algebraic groups or pseudogroups. Hence, all the formal theory of PD equations developped by D.C. Spencer around 1970 must be used together with modern algebraic geometry, in particular tensor products of rings and fields. However, the combination of these new tools is not sufficient and we have to create the analogue for Lie pseudogroups of the so-called invariant derivations introduced by A. Bialynicki-Birula after 1960 in the study of algebraic groups and fields with derivations. We shall finally prove the usefulness of the resulting differential Galois theory through striking applications to mechanics, revisiting shell theory, chain theory, the Frenet-Serret formulas and the integration of Hamilton-Jacobi equations.
On the law of the iterated logarithm for continued fractions with sequentially restricted partial quotients

We establish a law of the iterated logarithm (LIL) for the set of real numbers whose nth partial quotient is bigger than α n , where (α n ) is a sequence such that ∑1/α n is finite. This set is shown to have Hausdorff dimension 1/2 in many cases and the measure in LIL is absolutely continuous to the Hausdorff measure. The result is obtained as an application of a strong invariance principle for unbounded observables on the limit set of a sequential iterated function system.
A Dynamic Algorithm for Optimization of Network Traffic through Smart Network Switch Data Flow Management

Networking affects our daily interaction with the digital world. Advancements in Smart Device technology have led to the need for faster, more power-efficient, and error-free networks. Networking protocols, such as TCP and UDP, were originally designed without these new requirements and now face significant challenges in adapting to those goals i.e., efficiently handling congestion delays in switching networks, increasing production costs, and higher packet losses. In this paper, we propose the Smart Switch Dynamic Delay Algorithm (SSDDA) which takes into consideration multiple factors including link utilization, application-level throughput (goodput), packet loss, and queuing delay of the TCP/UDP link. The application is in datacenter switches where the switching could be moved from centralized controller to decentralized data path and programmable smart switches. Continuous feedback from the network enables SSDDA to estimate delay and modify packet flows for optimal performance. Simulation results using NS3 in a fat tree topology are carried out validating the algorithmic benefits of SSDDA.
Equidistribution of expanding curves in homogeneous spaces and Diophantine approximation for square matrices

In this article, we study an analytic curve $\varphi: I=[a,b]\rightarrow \mathrm{M}(n\times n, \mathbb{R})$ in the space of $n$ by $n$ real matrices, and show that if $\varphi$ satisfies certain geometric conditions, then for almost every point on the curve, the Diophantine approximation given by Dirichlet's Theorem is not improvable. To do this, we embed the curve into some homogeneous space $G/\Gamma$, and prove that under the action of some expanding diagonal flow $A= \{a(t): t \in \mathbb{R}\}$, the expanding curves tend to be equidistributed in $G/\Gamma$, as $t \rightarrow +\infty$. This solves a special case of a problem proposed by Nimish Shah in ~\cite{Shah_1}.
Can neutron stars constrain dark matter

Because of their strong gravitational field, neutron stars capture weakly interacting dark matter particles (WIMPs) more efficiently compared to other stars, including the white dwarfs. Once captured, the WIMPs sink to the neutron star center and annihilate, heating the star. We find that this heat could lead to detectable effects on the surface temperature of old neutron stars, especially those in dark-matter-rich regions such as the Galactic center or cores of globular clusters. The capture and annihilation is fully efficient even for WIMP-to-nucleon cross sections (elastic or inelastic) as low as {approx}10{sup -45} cm{sup 2}, and for the annihilation cross sections as small as {approx}10{sup -57} cm{sup 2}. Thus, detection of a sufficiently cold neutron star in a dark-matter-rich environment would exclude a wide range of dark matter candidates, including those with extremely small cross sections.
Dry granular flows: rheological measurements of the $\mu(I)$-Rheology

Granular materials do not flow homogeneously like fluids when submitted to external stress,but often form rigid regions that are separated by narrow shear bands where the material yields and flows. This shear localization impacts their apparent rheology, which makes it difficult to infer a constitutive behaviour from conventional rheometric measurements. Moreover, they present a dilatant behaviour, which makes their study in classical fixedvolume geometries difficult. These features led to perform extensive studies with inclined plane flows, which were of crucial importance for the development and the validation of the $\mu(I)$ rheology. Our aim is to develop a method to characterize granular materials with rheometrical tools. Using unusual rheometry measurements in an annular shear cell adapted from Boyer et al. (2011), dense granular flows are studied. A focus is placed on the comparison between the present results and the $\mu(I)$-rheology.
A physical model for the redshift evolution of high-z Lyman-break galaxies

We present a galaxy formation model to understand the evolution of stellar mass (M*) - UV luminosity relations, stellar mass functions and specific star formation rate (sSFR) of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) along with their UV luminosity functions in the redshift range 3 < z < 8. Our models assume a physically motivated form for star formation in galaxies and model parameters are calibrated by fitting the observed UV luminosity functions (LFs) of LBGs. We find the fraction of baryons that gets converted into stars remains nearly constant for z < 4 but shows an increase for z < 4. However, the rate of converting baryons into stars does not evolve significantly in the redshift range 3 < z < 8. Our model further successfully explains the M* - UV luminosity (M_AB) correlations of LBGs. While our model predictions of stellar mass functions compare well with the inferred data from observations at the low mass end, we need to invoke the Eddington bias to fit the high mass end. At any given redshift, we find the sSFR to be constant over the stellar mass range 5 \times 10^8 -5 \times 10^9 M_\odot and the redshift evolution of sSFR is well approximated by a form (1+z)^2.4 for 3 < z < 8 which is consistent with observations. Thus we find that dark matter halo build up in the LCDM model is sufficient to explain the evolution of UV LFs of LBGs along with their M* - M_AB relations, the stellar mass functions and the sSFR for 3 < z < 8.
Local rings with quasi-decomposable maximal ideal

Abstract Let (R, 𝔪) be a commutative noetherian local ring. In this paper, we prove that if 𝔪 is decomposable, then for any finitely generated R-module M of infinite projective dimension 𝔪 is a direct summand of (a direct sum of) syzygies of M. Applying this result to the case where 𝔪 is quasi-decomposable, we obtain several classifications of subcategories, including a complete classification of the thick subcategories of the singularity category of R.
The Association between Resilience and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study examined the association between resilience and psychological distress in healthcare workers, the general population, and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Science Direct, and Nursing and Allied Health databases. Included articles examined healthcare workers (e.g., physicians and nurses), the general population, and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies of exposure to other infectious diseases related to epidemics or pandemics (e.g., SARS and MERS) were excluded. This study was performed following the Cooper matrix review method and PRISMA guidelines, followed by a meta-analysis of study results using R version 4.1. 2. A random effect model was used for the pooled analysis. This study was registered with PROSPERO (registration No. CRD42021261429). Based on the meta-analysis, we found a moderate negative relationship between overall resilience and psychological distress (r = −0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.45 to −0.38, p < 0.001). For the subgroup analysis, a moderately significant negative relationship between overall resilience and psychological distress was found among healthcare workers (r = −0.39, 95% CI: −0.44 to −0.33, p < 0.001), which was weaker than in the general population (r = −0.45, 95% CI: −0.50 to −0.39, p < 0.001) and in patients (r = −0.43; 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.33; p < 0.001). This association was robust, although the heterogeneity among individual effect sizes was substantial (I2 = 94%, 99%, and 74%, respectively). This study revealed a moderate negative relationship between resilience and psychological distress in healthcare workers, the general population, and patients. For all these populations, interventions and resources are needed to improve individuals’ resilience and ability to cope with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and in future disease outbreaks.
Iron and s-elements abundance variations in NGC 5286: Comparison with 'anomalous' globular clusters and Milky Way satellites

We present a high-resolution spectroscopic analysis of 62 red giants in the Milky Way globular cluster (GC) NGC 5286. We have determined abundances of representative light proton-capture, a, Fe-peak and neutron-capture element groups, and combined them with photometry of multiple sequences observed along the colour-magnitude diagram. Our principal results are: (i) a broad, bimodal distribution in s-process element abundance ratios, with two main groups, the s-poor and s-rich groups; (ii) substantial star-to-star Fe variations, with the s-rich stars having higher Fe, e.g. (s-rich) - (s-poor) similar to 0.2 dex; and (iii) the presence of O-Na-Al (anti) correlations in both stellar groups. We have defined a new photometric index, c(BVI) = (B - V) -(V - I), to maximize the separation in the colour-magnitude diagram between the two stellar groups with different Fe and s-element content, and this index is not significantly affected by variations in light elements (such as the O-Na anticorrelation). The variations in the overall metallicity present in NGC 5286 add this object to the class of anomalous GCs. Furthermore, the chemical abundance pattern of NGC 5286 resembles that observed in some of the anomalous GCs, e.g. M 22, NGC 1851, M 2, and the more extreme omega Centauri, that also show internal variations in s-elements, and in light elements within stars with different Fe and s-elements content. In view of the common variations in s-elements, we propose the term s-Fe-anomalous GCs to describe this sub-class of objects. The similarities in chemical abundance ratios between these objects strongly suggest similar formation and evolution histories, possibly associated with an origin in tidally disrupted dwarf satellites.
The efficacy of novel heterocyclic activators showed potential activity against mercuric chloride-induced acute renal failure in rats

Safaa H. Mohamed1* , Dina S. El-Kady1, Gamal A. ElMegeed1, Mahitab I. El-kassaby2, Abdel-Razik H. Farrag3, Mervat M. Abdelhalim1, Naglaa A. Ali1 1Hormones Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. 2Medical Physiology Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. 3Departments of Pathology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, Giza, Egypt.
External Validation of a Risk Model for Severe Complications following Pancreatoduodenectomy Based on Three Preoperative Variables

Simple Summary Up to 30% of patients develop severe complications following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). With respect to risk stratification and shared decision making, prediction models to predict complications are crucial. In 2015, a risk model for severe complications was developed by Schroder et al. based on three preoperative variables: BMI, ASA classification and mean Hounsfield Units of the pancreatic body on the preoperative abdominal CT scan. However, external validation of this model has not yet been performed. It is important to validate prediction models externally before implementing them in clinical practice to confirm their accuracy and generalizability when applied to a different patient population. Our aim was to externally validate this risk prediction model using an independent cohort of patients. Abstract Background: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is the only cure for periampullary and pancreatic cancer. It has morbidity rates of 40–60%, with severe complications in 30%. Prediction models to predict complications are crucial. A risk model for severe complications was developed by Schroder et al. based on BMI, ASA classification and Hounsfield Units of the pancreatic body on the preoperative CT scan. These variables were independent predictors for severe complications upon internal validation. Our aim was to externally validate this model using an independent cohort of patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 318 patients who underwent PD at our institution from 2013 to 2021. The outcome of interest was severe complications Clavien–Dindo ≥ IIIa. Model calibration, discrimination and performance were assessed. Results: A total of 308 patients were included. Patients with incomplete data were excluded. A total of 89 (28.9%) patients had severe complications. The externally validated model achieved: C-index = 0.67 (95% CI: 0.60–0.73), regression coefficient = 0.37, intercept = 0.13, Brier score = 0.25. Conclusions: The performance ability, discriminative power, and calibration of this model were acceptable. Our risk calculator can help surgeons identify high-risk patients for post-operative complications to improve shared decision-making and tailor perioperative management.
Basis for solutions of the Benoit & Saint-Aubin PDEs with particular asymptotics properties

Applying the quantum group method developed in [KP20], we construct solutions to the Benoit & Saint-Aubin partial differential equations with boundary conditions given by specific recursive asymptotics properties. Our results generalize solutions constructed in [KP16, PW19], known as the pure partition functions of multiple Schramm-Loewner evolutions. The generalization is reminiscent of fusion in conformal field theory, and our solutions can be thought of as partition functions of systems of random curves, where many curves may emerge from the same point.