Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lenalidomide Maintenance and Measurable Residual Disease in a Real-World Multiple Myeloma Transplanted Population Receiving Different Treatment Strategies Guided by Access to Novel Drugs in Brazil

Simple Summary Lenalidomide maintenance (M-Len) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) improved survival outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM). The present work found that M-Len and measurable residual disease detected by next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) were independent prognostic factors that could be used to discriminate patients at an earlier risk of relapse in a real-world study from Brazil. Abstract Despite recent advances in multiple myeloma (MM), the incorporation of novel agents and measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring in low-income countries remains a challenge. Although lenalidomide maintenance (M-Len) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been associated with improved outcomes and MRD has refined the prognosis of complete response (CR) cases, until now, there have been no data on the benefits of these approaches in Latin America. Here, we evaluate the benefits of M-Len and MRD using next-generation flow cytometry (NGF-MRD) at Day + 100 post-ASCT (n = 53). After ASCT, responses were evaluated based on the International Myeloma Working Group criteria and NGF-MRD. MRD was positive in 60% of patients with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 31 months vs. not reached (NR) for MRD-negative cases (p = 0.05). The patients who received M-Len continuously had a significantly better PFS and overall survival (OS) than those without M-Len (median PFS: NR vs. 29 months, p = 0.007), with progression in 11% vs. 54% of cases after a median follow-up of 34 months, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, MRD status and M-Len therapy emerged as independent predictors of PFS (median PFS of M-Len/MRD− vs. no M-Len/MRD+ of NR vs. 35 months, respectively; p = 0.01). In summary, M-Len was associated with improved survival outcomes in our real-world MM cohort in Brazil, with MRD emerging as a useful reproducible tool to identify patients at an earlier risk of relapse. The inequity in drug access remains a hurdle in countries with financial constraints, with a negative impact on MM survival.
Transient multimode dynamics in nearly single-mode lasers

The transient dynamics of nearly single-mode semiconductor lasers is studied analytically and numerically for lasers biased below threshold. The side-mode excitation probability is evaluated by solving a Fokker-Planck equation approximately. The validity of the approximate solution is verified through Monte Carlo simulations of the corresponding Langevin equations. The results show the relevance of the carrier-density overshoot during laser turn-on in determining the side-mode excitation probability. They also indicate the dependence of this probability on various device parameters such as the gain margin between the main and side modes. The experiments performed by using distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers show qualitative agreement with theory. >
Gas and dust in Comet C/2000 WM1 during its closest approach to Earth: Optical imaging and long-slit spectroscopy

We have investigated the dust and gas coma of the comet C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR) during Dec. 2−4, 2001, its closest approach to Earth. The gaseous coma is slightly asymmetric in CN and C2, indicating the presence of some structures which are detected either by applying enhancement techniques or studying the azimuthal distribution of material. This asymmetry is due to the existence of a double jet in a direction almost perpendicular to the Sun-comet direction. These structures are not clearly detected in C3. The morphological analysis of the dust coma shows a faint, short and narrow sunward structure, besides the dust tail in a position angle of ∼60 ◦ . CN is produced at a rate of 2.43 × 10 26 s −1 with lifetimes that can be considered as representative of HCN being the parent species. In the case of C2, the use of usual lifetimes (τp ,τ d) requires a modified two-steps photolytic model to account for the pronounced flatness of the column density profile in the inner coma. Usual steady-state model gives rise to a QC2 = 3.11 × 10 26 s −1 . Other gas species as C3 and NH2 have been also detected from the spectrum, although with a lower S/N. The computed production rates are 3.6 × 10 24 s −1 and 2.15 × 10 26 s −1 , respectively. Determination of the CN and C2 production rates by means of the Haser modeling (Haser 1957) with customary scalelengths indicates that C/2000 WM1 is a C2-enriched comet at 1.178 AU heliocentric distance. The dust production rate, parameterised by A(θ)f ρ ,i s∼300−400 cm when measured in two continuum regions, centered at 4845 and 6840 A, whilst this value is slightly lower in Bessel R and Gunn i (∼230 cm). Thus, the gas-to-dust mass ratio is in the order of 6.3, a relatively gassy comet. The surface brightness profiles of the continuum, either azimuthally averaged profiles from the broadband images or in east−west direction from the long-slit spectrum, can be well fitted with m ≈ 1i n logB − log ρ representation. On the other hand, the study of the dust coma as imaged with the broadband and narrowband filters reveals that variations in the size and/or composition of the grains might be occurring while traveling outward. This fact is manifested as a sharp decrease of Afvs. ρ at 700 ≤ ρ ≤ 15 000 km. The fit of these Afprofiles vs. ρ points to the existence of two different grain populations with their own scattering properties and scalelengths (i.e. lifetimes). These pronounced variations of Afvs. ρ are accompanied by clear dust color gradients in the 2D maps, unlike the dust color vs. ρ as derived from the spectrum. Since spectroscopic measurements are only obtained in east−west direction and with a very long exposure time, the effect of color variations inside the coma due to disintegrating grains is difficult to detect.
GDOP and the Cramer-Rao bound

The GDOP is frequently thought of as a number signifying the effect of satellite geometry on computed position. More generally, it is well known that the GDOP matrix is the covariance of the linearized least squares errors in estimating position and bias from pseudoranges with unit variances. However a much stronger statistical interpretation is possible. In this paper we explore the relationship between the GDOP matrix and the Cramer-Rao bound of classical statistical point estimation. We also detail an interpretation of GDOP made in earlier work. In the first part of the paper we show that the GDOP matrix is actually the Cramer-Rao lower bound on estimates of position and bias given that the pseudorange errors are Gaussian distributed. In light of recent work indicating that pseudoranges not affected by SA are likely not Gaussian, we discuss generalization of this result to symmetric non-Gaussian pseudorange errors. In the second part of the paper, the GDOP is interpreted in terms of covariance about the average line of sight vector. This interpretation is used to compare ranging systems with pseudoranging systems. It is demonstrated that ranging systems are inherently more accurate, given the same geometry and measurement variances. Conditions under which the two systems are equivalent are derived. The role of the clock bias in this relationship is detailed. <<ETX>>
Demagnetization due to inverse magnetostriction effects in longitudinal thin film media

Unpredictable mechanical stresses that occur during the operation of hard disk drives can degrade the recorded signal. On the basis of a micromagnetic analysis and the calculated stress field during head-disk impact, inverse magnetostriction effects in longitudinal recording thin film media are considered and demagnetization due to head-disk impact is simulated numerically. Thin film media are modeled as planar hexagonal arrays of hexagonally shaped grains. The computation uses the conjugate gradient algorithm to minimize the variation of the total energy. In particular, the effect of the stress on the relaxation process is investigated. Also the change in the remanent magnetization due to repetitive head-disk impacts is calculated. We obtained results indicating that the effect of the impact stress during dynamic loading is not so significant as to cause data loss during operation for the longitudinal thin film media. >
Dual wavelength analysis and classification of brain tumor tissue with optical coherence tomography

The ill-defined tumor borders of glioblastoma multiforme pose a major challenge for the surgeon during tumor resection, since the goal of the tumor resection is the complete removal, while saving as much healthy brain tissue as possible. In recent years, optical coherence tomography (OCT) was successfully used to classify white matter from tumor infiltrated white matter by several research groups. Motivated by these results, a dataset was created, which consisted of sets of corresponding ex vivo OCT images, which were acquired by two OCT-systems with different properties (e.g. wavelength and resolution). Each image was annotated with semantic labels. The labels differentiate between white and gray matter and three different stages of tumor infiltration. The data from both systems not only allowed a comparison of the ability of a system to identify the different tissue types present during the tumor resection, but also enable a multimodal tissue analysis evaluating corresponding OCT images of the two systems simultaneously. A convolutional neural network with dirichlet prior was trained, which allowed to capture the uncertainty of a prediction. The approach increased the sensitivity of identifying tumor infiltration from 58 % to 78 % for data with a low prediction uncertainty compared to a previous monomodal approach.
The Einstein-Podolski-Rosen Paradox

In a recent article in this journal, Henry Krips [2] claims that he has resolved the Einstein-Podolski-Rosen (EPR) paradox [1]. As is well-known, EPR demonstrated a situation in which performing different measurements on one system (system I) would result in assigning to another system (system II), which has interacted with system I at an earlier time, one or the other of two eigenfunctions associated respectively with two noncommuting operators P and Q. According to EPR, this demonstrates that for system lI the two physical quantities corresponding to the noncommuting operators P and Q have simultaneous physical reality. EPR's conclusion is that since quantum mechanics does not include this simultaneous physical reality, the quantum-mechanical description of reality is incomplete. Krips states in his paper that EPR claim "that one can simultaneously assign, on a particular occasion, eigenvectors of momentum and position to the same system" ([2], p. 150). Krips continues "This conclusion involves a contradiction with Q.M. according to E.R. P., and hence one has a paradox" ([2], p. 150). Now, there is a difference between what "EPR said" and what Krips says they said. EPR did not say that system II could be simultaneously assigned eigenvectors of momentum and position. They said that they had demonstrated the physical reality of a simultaneous position and momentum in system IL. They are not claiming, as Krips seems to think, that they have shown a contradiction with quantum mechanics; they are claiming that they have shown an incompleteness in quantum mechanics. The "paradox" in the EPR paradox is not a claimed contradiction with quantum mechanics, it is a claimed demonstration of the existence of a physical state which cannot be represented in the state representation scheme of quantum mechanics. Krips attempts to show that one can simultaneously assign eigenvectors of momentum and position to the same system on a given occasion. If this were indeed the case then EPR's argument for the incompleteness of quantum mechanics would fall apart. We shall try to show why we think Krips is wrong on this point, and then comment briefly on what we see as the status of the EPR paradox vis-ad-vis the question of the completeness of quantum mechanics. We address ourselves to what Krips calls the second argument against assigning simultaneous eigenvectors of momentum and position to the same system on a given occasion. Krips says:
BMPER Improves Vascular Remodeling and the Contractile Vascular SMC Phenotype

Dedifferentiated vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) play an essential role in neointima formation, and we now aim to investigate the role of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) modulator BMPER (BMP endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator) in neointima formation. To assess BMPER expression in arterial restenosis, we used a mouse carotid ligation model with perivascular cuff placement. Overall BMPER expression after vessel injury was increased; however, expression in the tunica media was decreased compared to untreated control. Consistently, BMPER expression was decreased in proliferative, dedifferentiated vSMC in vitro. C57BL/6_Bmper+/− mice displayed increased neointima formation 21 days after carotid ligation and enhanced expression of Col3A1, MMP2, and MMP9. Silencing of BMPER increased the proliferation and migration capacity of primary vSMCs, as well as reduced contractibility and expression of contractile markers, whereas stimulation with recombinant BMPER protein had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, we showed that BMPER binds insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4), resulting in the modulation of IGF signaling. Furthermore, perivascular application of recombinant BMPER protein prevented neointima formation and ECM deposition in C57BL/6N mice after carotid ligation. Our data demonstrate that BMPER stimulation causes a contractile vSMC phenotype and suggest that BMPER has the potential for a future therapeutic agent in occlusive cardiovascular diseases.
Equivalence of the Chapman‐Enskog and the Mean‐Free‐Path Theory of Gases

The model considered is restricted to monatomic particles interacting with a finite‐range central field force. The integral equation for the second Chapman‐Enskog approximation to the velocity distribution function is solved by a Liouville‐Neumann iteration scheme. It is then shown that the Nth iteration corresponds to a mean‐free‐path theory where the trajectory of a particle has been followed through N + 1 collisions. The zeroth‐order approximation is then compared with the elementary mean‐free‐path theory to show their equivalence.
The Predictive Value of Monocyte/High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio (MHR) and Positive Symptom Scores for Aggression in Patients with Schizophrenia

Background and Objectives: Schizophrenia with aggression often has an inflammatory abnormality. The monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), neutrophil/high-density lipoprotein ratio (NHR), platelet/high-density lipoprotein ratio (PHR) and lymphocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio (LHR) have lately been examined as novel markers for the inflammatory response. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between these new inflammatory biomarkers and aggression in schizophrenia patients. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 214 schizophrenia inpatients in our cross-sectional analysis. They were divided into the aggressive group (n = 94) and the non-aggressive group (n = 120) according to the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). The severity of schizophrenia was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The numbers of platelets (PLT), neutrophils (NEU), lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes (MON) and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content from subjects were recorded. The NHR, PHR, MHR and LHR were calculated. We analyzed the differences between those indexes in these two groups, and further searched for the correlation between inflammatory markers and aggression. Results: Patients with aggression had higher positive symptom scores (p = 0.002). The values of PLT, MON, MHR and PHR in the aggressive group were considerably higher (p < 0.05). The NHR (r = 0.289, p < 0.01), LHR (r = 0.213, p < 0.05) and MHR (r = 0.238, p < 0.05) values of aggressive schizophrenia patients were positively correlated with the total weighted scores of the MOAS. A higher MHR (β = 1.529, OR = 4.616, p = 0.026) and positive symptom scores (β = 0.071, OR = 1.047, p = 0.007) were significant predictors of aggression in schizophrenia patients. Conclusions: The MHR and the positive symptom scores may be predictors of aggressive behavior in schizophrenia patients. The MHR, a cheap and simple test, may be useful as a clinical tool for risk stratification, and it may direct doctors’ prevention and treatment plans in the course of ordinary clinical care.
Crocin Attenuates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Inhibiting Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species and Ameliorates Monosodium Urate-Induced Mouse Peritonitis

Crocin is a hydrophilic carotenoid pigment found in the stigma of Crocus sativus or the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides. In this study, we investigated the effects of Crocin on the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in J774A.1 murine macrophage cells and monosodium urate (MSU)-induced peritonitis. Crocin significantly inhibited Nigericin-, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-, MSU-induced interleukin (IL)-1β secretion, and caspase-1 cleavage without affecting pro-IL-1β and pro-caspase-1. Crocin also suppressed gasdermin-D cleavage and lactate dehydrogenase release and enhanced cell viability, indicating that Crocin reduces pyroptosis. Similar effects were observed in primary mouse macrophages. However, Crocin did not affect poly(dA:dT)-induced absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and muramyl dipeptide-induced NLRP1 inflammasomes. Crocin decreased Nigericin-induced oligimerization and the speck formation of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Crocin also dramatically alleviated the ATP-induced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). Finally, Crocin ameliorated the MSU-induced production of IL-1β and IL-18 and the recruitment of neutrophils during peritoneal inflammation. These results suggest that Crocin suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation by blocking mtROS production and ameliorates MSU-induced mouse peritonitis. Thus, Crocin may have therapeutic potential in various NLRP3 inflammasome-related inflammatory diseases.
Severe pediatric acute encephalopathy syndromes related to SARS-CoV-2

Background and objectives To clarify whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection cause acute encephalopathy in children and which are the most common syndromes that cause them and what are the outcomes. Methods A nationwide web-based survey among all members of the Japanese Society of Child Neurology to identify pediatric patients aged < 18 years who developed acute encephalopathy in Japan between 1 January 2020 and 31 May 2022 associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction or antigen tests using pharyngeal swabs. Acute encephalopathy was defined as acute onset of impaired consciousness lasting > 24 h or an altered mental state; neurological symptoms arising within 2 weeks of onset of COVID-19 or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)/pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS); evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection; and reasonable exclusion of other diseases. Patients were divided into the known clinico-radiological acute encephalopathy syndrome group and unexplained or unclassifiable acute encephalopathy group. Outcomes were assessed by pediatric cerebral performance category (PCPC) score at hospital discharge. Results Of the 3,802 society members, 217 representing institutions responded, and 39 patients with suspected acute encephalopathy were reported, of which 31 met inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 14 were diagnosed with known clinico-radiological acute encephalopathy syndromes, with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (five patients) being the most common. Five developed acute encephalopathy associated with MIS-C/PIMS. Among 31 patients, 9 (29.0%) had severe sequelae or died (PCPC ≥ 4). Two of three patients with encephalopathy with acute fulminant cerebral edema and two with hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome died. The PCPC scores were higher in the known clinico-radiological acute encephalopathy syndrome group than in the unexplained or unclassifiable acute encephalopathy group (P < 0.01). Discussion Acute encephalopathy related to SARS-CoV-2 infection was demonstrated to be more severe than that caused by other viruses in Japan. Acute encephalopathy syndromes characterized by specific neuroradiological findings was associated with poor clinical outcomes.
A SEMIPARAMETRIC MIXTURE MODEL FOR THE ANALYSIS OF COMPETING RISKS DATA

Summary This paper deals with the regression analysis of failure time data when there are censoring and multiple types of failures. We propose a semiparametric generalization of a parametric mixture model of Larson & Dinse (1985), for which the marginal probabilities of the various failure types are logistic functions of the covariates. Given the type of failure, the conditional distribution of the time to failure follows a proportional hazards model. A marginal like lihood approach to estimating regression parameters is suggested, whereby the baseline hazard functions are eliminated as nuisance parameters. The Monte Carlo method is used to approximate the marginal likelihood; the resulting function is maximized easily using existing software. Some guidelines for choosing the number of Monte Carlo replications are given. Fixing the regression parameters at their estimated values, the full likelihood is maximized via an EM algorithm to estimate the baseline survivor functions. The methods suggested are illustrated using the Stanford heart transplant data.
Split-plot designs for robust product experimentation

Genichi Taguchi has emphasized the use of designed experiments in several novel and important applications. In this paper we focus on the use of statistical experimental designs in designingproducts to be robust to environmental conditions. The engineering concept of robust product design is very important because it is frequently impossible or prohibitively expensive to control or eliminate variation resulting from environmental conditions. Robust product design enablesthe experimenter to discover how to modify the design of the product to minimize the effect dueto variation from environmental sources. In experiments of this kind, Taguchi's total experimental arrangement consists of a cross-product of two experimental designs:an inner array containing the design factors and an outer array containing the environmental factors. Except in situations where both these arrays are small, this arrangement may involve a prohibitively large amount of experimental work. One of the objectives of this paper is to sho.