Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy and safety of triplet regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Triplet regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone have been applied to treat relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, but the safety and efficacy are not yet very clear. This meta-analysis aimed at comparing the safety and efficacy of different triplet therapies and analyzing the best therapy regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive literature search identiﬁed a total of 615 studies, and 22 studies assessing 1,889 subjects met the inclusion criteria of this meta: phase II/III trial, over 2 median lines of prior therapy, and detailed efﬁcacy outcomes like overall response rate (ORR), overall survival, and progression-free survival (PFS). All statistical analyses were performed by Revman version 5.3, and the heterogeneity was tested by I2 (25% indicating low heterogeneity, 50% moderate, and 75% high). For those with less heterogeneity, fixed-effect model was used. With a significant high heterogeneity, a random-effect model was used. RESULTS Pooled analysis showed ORR 66.2% across all triplet regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone. Among all triplet regimens, therapy containing bortezomib showed the highest ORR (90.3%), and the one containing elotuzumab showed the lowest ORR (41.2%). The pooled ORRs for the remaining treatment regimens are as follows: cyclophosphamide (70.1%), isatuximab (66.3%), daratumumab (61.2%), clarithromycin (60.0%), pembrolizumab (47.3%). A total of 21 adverse events appeared in the included studies, with neutropenia being the highest incidence of hematologic adverse events (32.1%) and cough being the highest incidence of non-hematologic adverse events (43.3.%). CONCLUSIONS Three-drug regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone could yield excellent overall response rate to relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, but there are still various adverse events; therefore, consequent studies should address these adverse events.
Triacontanol priming as a smart strategy to attenuate lead toxicity in Brassica oleracea L.

Abstract The most prevalent heavy metal pollutant in the environment is lead (Pb). Lead potentially contribute 10% of overall heavy metal contamination. Lead uptake by plants has been found to have an impact on their metabolic functions, photosynthetic activity, growth, and productivity. The current experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of triacontanol (Tria) for attenuating Pb stress in Brassica oleracea var. italic (broccoli). Three different Tria concentrations (10, 20 and 30 µmol L−1) were used to prime broccoli seeds. Growth of broccoli was reduced when exposed to Pb-driven toxicity. Additionally, Pb had a deleterious impact on the protein quantity, stomatal conductance, transpiration and photosynthetic rate. Nevertheless, plants grown from seeds primed with Tria2 (20 µmol L−1 Tria) exhibited improved morphological characteristics, uptake of mineral content (Mn+2, Zn+2, K+1, Na+1) along with biomass production. There was 1.6-fold increase in photosynthetic rate, the phenol (1.3 folds), and DPPH activity (1.2 folds) in seed primed with Tria2. Additionally, plants treated with Tria2 demonstrated enhanced MTI and gas exchange characteristics that improves plant stress tolerance under Pb stress. Seed priming with Tria can be used to increase plant tolerance to Pb stress as evidenced by the improved growth and biochemical characteristics of broccoli seedlings. Novelty Statement A number of studies emphasize the beneficial effects of plant growth regulators on the growth and yield of agricultural crops. The priming of seeds with triacontanol in vegetable crops, however, is a concern about which we know remarkably little. In addition, the effects of triacontanol on Brassica oleracea L var. italica under lead stress on growth, biomass, and nutrient content are largely unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of seed priming with triacontanol on the agronomic traits, physiochemical traits, and nutrient content of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica under lead stress. Graphical Abstract Schematic diagram showing the effect of tricontanol on growth and physiochemical parameters of broccoli grown in Pb-toxic soil.
Relaxation of the transport critical current in high-T c polycrystals

We perform a systematic study of the time evolution of the transport critical current in polycrystalline samples of the high temperature superconducting system $({\mathrm{Hg}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Re}}_{x}){\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{8+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ and ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ after application and removal of an external magnetic field ${H}_{m}. $ Within our time, temperature, and remanent field windows, the transport critical current increases logarithmically in time. The relaxation rates in the range 80--115 K decrease with increasing temperature at a fixed ${H}_{m},$ while temperature-dependent maxima are observed in the relaxation rate versus ${H}_{m}$ plots. These experimental results are reproduced by a phenomenological model applicable to any high-${T}_{c}$ polycrystals. In the model, the time increase of the transport current is determined by the effective field at the intergrain junctions, which relaxes in time due to the flux creep of the intragrain magnetization.
Commentary on “Target estimands for population‐adjusted indirect comparisons”

I have been invited to contribute to the intriguing discussion on the correct estimand for different stakeholders based on a number of recently published articles 1-3 on the use of indirect comparisons in decision making. Remiro-Azócar 4 discusses the issue first from a statistical viewpoint, explaining the importance of not to confuse arguments at the estimand level with arguments at the estimator level. Importantly, he highlights the need to follow the thinking introduced by the estimand framework to first decide on the estimand of interest and only afterwards decide on the right estimator and analysis methods. 5
Monte Carlo simulation of string-like colloidal assembly

We study structural phase transition of polymer-grafted colloidal particles by Monte Carlo simulations on hard spherical particles. The interaction potential, which has a weak repulsive step outside the hard core, was validated with use of the self-consistent field calculations. With this potential, canonical Monte Carlo simulations have been carried out in two and three dimensions using the Metropolis algorithm. At low temperature and high density, we find that the particles start to self-assemble and finally align in strings. By analyzing the cluster size distribution and string length distribution, we construct a phase diagram and find that this string-like assembly is related to the percolation phenomena. The average string length diverges in the region where the melting transition line and the percolation transition line cross, which is similar to Ising spin systems where the percolation transition line and the order-disorder line meet on the critical point.
The translocated virulence protein VirD5 causes DNA damage and mutation during Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of yeast

The soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a preferred gene vector not only for plants but also for fungi. Agrobacterium delivers a small set of virulence proteins into host cells concomitantly with transferred DNA (T-DNA) to support the transformation process. Here, we find that expression of one of these proteins, called VirD5, in yeast host cells causes replication stress and DNA damage. This can result in both genomic rearrangements and local mutations, especially small deletions. Delivery of VirD5 during cocultivation with Agrobacterium led to mutations in the yeast genome that were unlinked to the integration of T-DNA. This load of mutations can be prevented by using a virD5 mutant for genome engineering, but this leads to a lower transformation frequency.
Assessment of MRI image distortion based on 6 consecutive years of annual QAs and measurements on 14 MRI scanners used for radiation therapy

Abstract Purpose To determine the magnitude of MRI image distortion based on 6 consecutive years of annual quality assurances/measurements on 14 MRI scanners used for radiation therapy and to provide evidence for the inclusion of additional margin for treatment planning. Methods and materials We used commercial MRI image phantoms to quantitatively study the MRI image distortion over period of 6 years for up to 14 1.5 and 3 T MRI scanners that could potentially be used to provide MRI images for treatment planning. With the phantom images collected from 2016 to 2022, we investigated the MRI image distortion, the dependence of distortion on the distance from the imaging isocenter, and the possible causes of large distortion discovered. Results MRI image distortion increases with the distance from the imaging isocenter. For a region of interest (ROI) with a radius of 100 mm centered at the isocenter, the mean magnitude of distortion for all MRI scanners is 0.44±0.18mm, and the maximum distortion varies from 0.52to1. 31mm depending on MRI scanners. For an ROI with a radius of 200 mm centered at the isocenter, the mean magnitude of distortion increases to 0.84±0.45mm, and the range of the maximum distortion increases to 1.92−5.03mm depending on MRI scanners. The distortion could reach 2 mm at 150 mm from the isocenter. Conclusion An additional margin to accommodate image distortion should be considered for treatment planning. Imaging with proper patient alignment to the isocenter is vital to reducing image distortion. We recommend performing image distortion checks annually and after major upgrade on MRI scanners.
Dipolar localization of quantized spin-wave modes in thin rectangular magnetic elements

Dipole-exchange spectrum of quantized spin wave modes of a tangentially magnetized rectangular thin-film magnetic element is calculated using the method of tensorial Green's functions. The strong inhomogeneity of the internal bias magnetic field along the magnetization direction leads to the localization of spin wave modes either at the edges (exchange localization) or at the center (dipolar localization) of the element. The mode intensity distributions along the other in-plane direction are determined by the dipolar boundary conditions and have the usual cosinusoidal form. The approximate theory developed in the paper gives a quantitative description of the resonance fields and qualitative description of the spatial distributions of quantized spin wave modes in a thin square permalloy element (in plane sizes 50×50 μm 2 , thickness 0.1 μm) recently observed by space-resolved Kerr spectroscopy. The theory shows also that the mode localization in this case (in the element center) is of the dipolar nature.
A Deep Radio Survey of Abell 2125. I. Radio, Optical, and Near-Infrared Observations

We present a description of deep radio, optical, and near-IR observations taken with the VLA, the KPNO 2 m telescope, and the KPNO 4 m telescope of the region containing the rich cluster of galaxies Abell 2125. The reduction of each data set is described. A catalog of radio sources apparently not associated with members of A2125 and the associated R-band magnitudes is presented.
EMG-driven shared human-robot compliant control for in-hand object manipulation in hand prostheses

Objective. The limited functionality of hand prostheses remains one of the main reasons behind the lack of its wide adoption by amputees. Indeed, while commercial prostheses can perform a reasonable number of grasps, they are often inadequate for manipulating the object once in hand. This lack of dexterity drastically restricts the utility of prosthetic hands. We aim at investigating a novel shared control strategy that combines autonomous control of forces exerted by a robotic hand with electromyographic (EMG) decoding to perform robust in-hand object manipulation. Approach. We conduct a three-day long longitudinal study with eight healthy subjects controlling a 16-degrees-of-freedom robotic hand to insert objects in boxes of various orientations. EMG decoding from forearm muscles enables subjects to move, proportionally and simultaneously, the fingers of the robotic hand. The desired object rotation is inferred using two EMG electrodes placed on the shoulder that record the activity of muscles responsible for elevation and depression. During the object interaction phase, the autonomous controller stabilizes and rotates the object to achieve the desired pose. In this study, we compare an incremental and a proportional shoulder-decoding method in combination with two state machine interfaces offering different levels of assistance. Main results. Results indicate that robotic assistance reduces the number of failures by 41% and, when combined with an incremental shoulder EMG decoding, leads to faster task completion time (median = 16.9 s), compared to other control conditions. Training to use the assistive device is fast. After one session of practice, all subjects managed to achieve tasks with 50% less failures. Significance. Shared control approaches that give some authority to an autonomous controller on-board the prosthesis are an alternative to control schemes relying on EMG decoding alone. This may improve the dexterity and versatility of robotic prosthetic hands for people with trans-radial amputation. By delegating control of forces to the prosthesis’ on-board control, one speeds up reaction time and improves the precision of force control. Such a shared control mechanism may enable amputees to perform fine insertion tasks solely using their prosthetic hands. This may restore some of the functionality of the disabled arm.
Red giant branch stars as probes of stellar populations. II. Properties of the newly discovered globular cluster GLIMPSE-C01

Deep near infrared photometry of the newly discovered Galactic globular Cluster GLIMPSE-C01 is reported. We derived for the first time the metal abundance of this object from the slope of the RGB: ${\rm [Fe/H]}=-1.61\pm0.14$ in the scale of Zinn (as implemented in Harris 1996), ${\rm [Fe/H]}=-1.44\pm0.12$ in the scale of Caretta & Gratton (1997), and ${\rm [Fe/H]}=-1.12\pm0.12$ in the scale of Ferraro et al. (1999). The tip and the clump of the red giant branch were used to confirm the estimates of Kobulnicky et al. (2005), placing the cluster at $D\sim3.7\pm0.8$ kpc, behind $A_{\rm V}\sim15$ mag of visual extinction. The best fit to the radial surface brightness profile with a single-mass King's model yielded a core radius $r_{\rm c}=0.78$ arcmin, tidal radius $r_{\rm t}=27$ arcmin and central concentration $c=1.54$. Finally, we estimate the number of the “missing” globulars in the central region of the Milky Way. Based on the spatial distribution of the known clusters, and assuming radial symmetry around the Galactic center, we conclude that the Milky Way contains at least $10\pm3$ undiscovered objects. The distribution of known clusters in the bulge seem to resemble the orientation of the Milky Way bar.
Orbital polarons and ferromagnetic insulators in manganites

We argue that in lightly hole doped perovskite-type Mn oxides the holes $({\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+}$ sites) are surrounded by nearest neighbor ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{3+}$ sites in which the occupied $3d$ orbitals have their lobes directed towards the central hole $({\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+})$ site and with spins coupled ferromagnetically to the central spin. This composite object, which can be viewed as a combined orbital-spin-lattice polaron, is accompanied by the breathing type $({\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+})$ and Jahn-Teller type $({\mathrm{Mn}}^{3+})$ local lattice distortions. We present calculations which indicate that for certain doping levels these orbital polarons may crystallize into a charge and orbitally ordered ferromagnetic insulating state.
The Runge-Kutta-Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin Method

We demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel scheme for numerically solving linear differential equations whose solutions exhibit extreme oscillation. We take a standard Runge-Kutta approach, but replace the Taylor expansion formula with a Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin method. The method is demonstrated by application to the Airy equation, along with a more complicated burst-oscillation case. Finally, we compare our scheme to existing approaches.
A novel single-step anodization approach for pani-doping oxide surfaces to improve the photocatalytic activity of titanium implants

Crystalline titanium oxides have shown photocatalytic activity (PCA) and the formation of antibacterial reactive oxygen species (ROS) when stimulated with UV light. Polyaniline (PANI) is a conductive polymer that has shown antibacterial effects. Previously, titanium oxides have been PANI-doped using a multi-step approach. In the present study, we compared PANI-doped specimens produced with a two-step method (ACV), to PANI-doped specimens produced by a novel single-step direct anodization (AAn) method, and a control group of anodized un-doped specimens. The surface morphology, oxide crystallinity, surface elemental composition, surface roughness, surface wettability, oxide adhesion, corrosion resistance, PCA, and ROS generation of each oxide group were evaluated. All groups exhibited mixed anatase and rutile phase oxides. The AAn group revealed less anatase and rutile, but more PANI-surface coverage. The AAn group exhibited significantly increased PCA after 60 min of direct UVA illumination compared to the ACV group, despite containing lower amounts of anatase and rutile. The ACV and AAn groups showed significant increases in ROS production after 4 h UVA illumination while the control group showed similar ROS production. These findings suggested that PANI doping using the novel direct anodization technique significantly improved PCA even for oxides containing less crystallinity. The S. aureus attachment response to each oxide group was also compared under UVA pre-illumination, UVA direct illumination, and no illumination (dark) lighting conditions. Although no significant differences were shown in the bacterial response, both PANI-doped groups exhibited less average bacterial attachment compared to the control group. The response of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells to each oxide group was evaluated using MTT and live/dead assays, and no evidence of cytotoxicity was found. Since many, if not most, titanium implant devices are routinely anodized as a part of the manufacturing processes, these study findings are applicable to a wide variety of implant applications.
Cosmological constraints from noisy convergence maps through deep learning

Deep learning is a powerful analysis technique that has recently been proposed as a method to constrain cosmological parameters from weak lensing mass maps. Because of its ability to learn relevant features from the data, it is able to extract more information from the mass maps than the commonly used power spectrum, and thus achieve better precision for cosmological parameter measurement. We explore the advantage of convolutional neural networks over the power spectrum for varying levels of shape noise and different smoothing scales applied to the maps. We compare the cosmological constraints from the two methods in the ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{M}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{8}$ plane for sets of $400\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{deg}}^{2}$ convergence maps. We find that, for a shape noise level corresponding to $8.53\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{galaxies}/{\mathrm{arcmin}}^{2}$ and the smoothing scale of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{s}=2.34\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{arcmin}$, the network is able to generate 45% tighter constraints. For a smaller smoothing scale of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{s}=1.17$ the improvement can reach $\ensuremath{\sim}50%$, while for a larger smoothing scale of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{s}=5.85$, the improvement decreases to 19%. The advantage generally decreases when the noise level and smoothing scales increase. We present a new training strategy to train the neural network with noisy data, as well as considerations for practical applications of the deep learning approach.
Unusual Spectrally Reproducible and High Q‐Factor Random Lasing in Polycrystalline Tin Perovskite Films

An unusual spectrally reproducible near‐IR random lasing (RL) with no fluctuation of lasing peak wavelength is disclosed in polycrystalline films of formamidinium tin triiodide perovskite, which have been chemically stabilized against Sn2+ to Sn4+ oxidation. Remarkably, a quality Q‐factor as high as ≈104 with an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) threshold as low as 2 µJ cm−2 (both at 20 K) are achieved. The observed spectral reproducibility is unprecedented for semiconductor thin film RL systems and cannot be explained by the strong spatial localization of lasing modes. Instead, it is suggested that the spectral stability is a result of such an unique property of Sn‐based perovskites as a large inhomogeneous broadening of the emitting centers, which is a consequence of an intrinsic structural inhomogeneity of the material. Due to this, lasing can occur simultaneously in modes that are spatially strongly overlapped, as long as the spectral separation between the modes is larger than the homogeneous linewidth of the emitting centers. The discovered mechanism of RL spectral stability in semiconductor materials, possessing inhomogeneous broadening, opens up prospects for their practical use as cheap sources of narrow laser lines.
Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope as a Predictor of Mortality Risk

This study investigated the relationship between measures of oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) and all-cause mortality in a cohort of apparently healthy adults. The OUES is related to all-cause mortality in apparently healthy males but not in females. These findings suggest that a determination of OUES has prognostic utility in males. Purpose: Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), defined as the slope of the linear relationship between oxygen uptake and the semilog transformed ventilation rate measured during an incremental exercise test, may have prognostic utility. The objective of this investigation was to examine the relationship between assessments of OUES and all-cause mortality in a cohort of apparently healthy adults. Methods: The sample included 2220 apparently healthy adults (48% females) with a mean age of 44.7 ± 12.9 yr who performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The OUES was calculated from the entire test, using data from the initial 50% (OUES50) and 75% (OUES75) of test time, and normalized to body surface area. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the relationship between measures of OUES and mortality. Prognostic peak oxygen uptake (V˙o2peak) and OUES models were compared using the concordance index. Results: There were 310 deaths (29% females) over a follow-up period of 19.8 ± 11.1 yr. For males, OUES, OUES75, and normalized OUES had an inverse association with mortality, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors (P < .05). For females, only the unadjusted OUES, OUES75, and normalized OUES models were associated with mortality (P < .05). The concordance index values indicated that unadjusted OUES50 and OUES75 models had lower discrimination than the unadjusted OUES and V˙o2peak models (P < .05). Furthermore, OUES did not complement the fully adjusted V˙o2peak model (P ≥ .32). Conclusions: Assessments of OUES are related to all-cause mortality in males but not in females. These findings suggest that OUES can have prognostic utility in apparently healthy males. Moreover, submaximal determinations of OUES could have value when measuring V˙o2peak is not feasible.