Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interventions to improve access to clinical trials in urologic oncology.

INTRODUCTION Most cancer patients are never enrolled in clinical trials, resulting in missed potential therapeutic benefits to patients and barriers to drug development and approval. With a focus on urologic oncology clinical trials, we reviewed the current literature on barriers to accrual and present effective interventions to overcome these barriers. METHODS PubMed was searched for articles regarding physician referral and patient accrual to clinical trials in urologic oncology from January 2000 through June 2021. Studies were included if they were in English, related to clinical trial utilization or patient accrual in urologic oncology, peer-reviewed, primary research, survey, or systematic review, and pertained to clinical trials in the United States. Major overlapping themes related to barriers to accrual and effective interventions were identified. RESULTS Thirty-six studies met our inclusion criteria. Barriers fall into three categories: 1) provider; 2) patient; or 3) structural. Provider barriers include issues such as poor funding, logistical challenges, and time constraints. Patient barriers include cost, distrust of medical institutions, and lack of knowledge regarding ongoing studies. Structural barriers include lack of time and resources in community settings and difficulty with physician referrals. Effective strategies identified include increasing provider referrals through continuing education and referral pathways, increasing patient education through patient-centered marketing material, and decreasing structural barriers through patient navigation programs and community partnerships. CONCLUSIONS We identified barriers and potential multipronged strategies targeted at patients, providers, and practices to increase clinical trial enrollment. We hope these strategies will benefit patients and providers, and facilitate research development.
Collider physics in anticipation of new TeV-scale phenomena

In this thesis, we perform phenomenological studies in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and in the model of large extra dimensions by Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos, and Dvali (ADD). In the MSSM, parts of the up-type squark flavor structure are inaccessible in low-energy precision measurements. We discuss the prospects to constrain these parts by measuring a macroscopic lifetime of a directly produced light stop. Such a lifetime can exceed the order of picoseconds in the Minimal-Flavor-Violation scheme if the light stop (t̃1) predominantly decays as t̃1 → cχ̃1 to a charm quark (c) and a lightest neutralino (χ̃1). We discuss kinematics of this decay for stops hypothetically produced in the pp → t̃1t̃1t̄t̄ channel at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We find that the transverse impact parameters of the charmed decay products can be of O(180 μm) for a stop lifetime of 1 ps. We further discuss t̃1 → cχ̃1 for a bino-like χ̃1 subsequently decaying to a photon and a light gravitino in t̃1t̃1 events. This scenario is significantly constrained by early 7-TeV LHC data. In the ADD model, we discuss graviton-enhanced dilepton production within the AsymptoticSafety Scenario of quantum gravity, using a newly developed implementation of the relevant processes in the Monte-Carlo generator PYTHIA 8. From the results of recent 20-fb−1 CMS searches for anomalous dilepton production at high dilepton invariant masses, we derive bounds on the transition scale associated with the ultraviolet fixed-point of Newtons coupling in the Asymptotic-Safety Scenario.
Accretion-induced Collapse from Helium Star + White Dwarf Binaries

Accretion-induced collapse (AIC) occurs when an O/Ne white dwarf (WD) grows to nearly the Chandrasekhar mass ( ), reaching central densities that trigger electron captures in the core. Using Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA), we present the first true binary simulations of He star + O/Ne WD binaries, focusing on a He star in a 3 hr orbital period with O/Ne WDs. The helium star fills its Roche lobe after core helium burning is completed and donates helium on its thermal timescale to the WD, , which is a rate high enough that the accreting helium burns stably on the WD. The accumulated carbon/oxygen ashes from the helium burning undergo an unstable shell flash that initiates an inwardly moving, carbon burning flame. This flame is only quenched when it runs out of carbon at the surface of the original O/Ne core. Subsequent accumulation of fresh carbon/oxygen layers also undergo thermal instabilities, but no mass loss is triggered, which allows , and then triggers the onset of AIC. We also discuss the scenario of accreting C/O WDs that experience shell carbon ignitions to become O/Ne WDs, and then, under continuing mass transfer, lead to AIC. Studies of the AIC event rate using binary population synthesis should include all of these channels, especially this latter channel, which has been previously neglected but might dominate the rate.
Computational Intelligence and Complexity Measures for Chaotic Information Processing

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Effect of Salt Stress on Growth and Physiological Properties of Asparagus Seedlings

Salt stress could inhibit the growth and development of crops and negatively affect yield and quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological responses of different asparagus cultivars to salt stress. Twenty days old seedlings ofasalt-tolerant Apollo andasalt-sensitive cultivar JL1 were subjected to 0 (CK) and120 mM NaCl stress for 20 d. Their changes in growth, ion contents, antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression were analyzed. Salt stress significantly inhibited the growth of both cultivars, and JL1 showed a greater decrease than Apollo. The root development of Apollo was promoted by 120 mM NaCl treatment. The Na+ content in roots, stems, and leaves of both cultivars was increased under salt stress, while K+ content and K+/Na+ decreased. The salt-tolerant cultivar Apollo showed less extent of increase in Na+ and decrease in K+ content and kept a relatively high K+/Na+ ratio to compare with JL1. The contents of proline, soluble sugar and protein increased in Apollo, while thesesubstances changed differently in JL1 under salt stress. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were gradually increased under salt stress in Apollo, while the corresponding enzyme activities in JL1 were decreased at the late stage of salt stress. The expression of SOD, POD, and CAT genes of both cultivars changed in a similar way to the enzyme activities. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased slightly in Apollo, while increased significantly in JL1. At the late stage of salt stress, Apollomaintained a relatively high K+/Na+, osmotic adjustment ability and antioxidant defense capability, and therefore exhibited higher tolerance to salt stress than that of JL1.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Model Predictive Controller Based on Disturbed Single Rigid Body Model of Biped Robots

This paper modifies the single rigid body (SRB) model, and considers the swinging leg as the disturbances to the centroid acceleration and rotational acceleration of the SRB model. This paper proposes deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based model predictive control (MPC) to resist the disturbances of the swinging leg. The DRL predicts the swing leg disturbances, and then MPC gives the optimal ground reaction forces according to the predicted disturbances. We use the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm among the DRL methods since it is a very stable and widely applicable algorithm. It is an on-policy algorithm based on the actor–critic framework. The simulation results show that the improved SRB model and the PPO-based MPC method can accurately predict the disturbances of the swinging leg to the SRB model and resist the disturbance, making the locomotion more robust.
Influence of environmental factors on germination and seedling emergence of Melilotus indicus

To find out the effect of temperature, osmotic stress, light, pH, salt stress, burial depth, mulching and flooding duration on seed germination and seedling emergence of Melilotus indicus, laboratory and screen house experiments were conducted at CCSHAU, Hisar, during rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17. All the experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with each treatment having four replications. Based on research results, it was observed that the optimum temperature range for the germination of M. indicus was 15-30oC day temperature and 10-20oC night temperature. It was more sensitive to moisture stress, as its seed germination decreased from 95% to 38% with increasing moisture stress (from 0 to -1.2 MPa), whereas it was less sensitive to salt stress: as more than 50% seed germination occurred at 125 mM NaCl salt concentration. The optimum pH for its seed germination (90%) was neutral (pH 7). It was non-photoblastic in nature, as dark and light period had no significant effect on its seed germination. The optimum burial depth for higher seedling emergence was 1 cm (>90%), but its emergence decreased as burial depth increased further. The seedling emergence was reduced by the application of rice straw as mulch, though a high amount (4 to 10 t/ha) of straw was required to suppress its emergence significantly. Continuous flooding for different durations significantly reduced the seedling emergence of M. indicus over no-flooding condition, and was not able to emerge after 32 days of continuous flooding. The information gained from this study would help in developing effective weed management strategy against M. indicus.
A DATA-DRIVEN MECHANICAL PROPERTY PREDICTION IN EPOXY/GLASS FIBER COMPOSITE

Fiber reinforced epoxy based composite materials are widely used in aircraft, marine, and automotive structures to minimize weight and increase performance. Typically, the mechanical performance of a composite part has so far been inspected using destructive testing, which is both expensive and time consuming. The mechanical properties of a composite are influenced by the curing process and its parameters, particularly the mechanical tensile modulus of the polymer, which rises as crosslink density rises and is influenced by curing temperature and holding time. It is, however, critical to manufacture epoxy-based composites with a higher crosslinking density by using the proper and uniform curing temperature. After fabricating the composite part, the most important step is to inspect the mechanical strength. In this study, we have presented a non-destructive quality inspection technique by merging Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy data with supervised learning algorithms to predict the tensile strength of the cured composite sample based on the sample’s dielectric state variables. Different samples were made using different curing temperature to ensure variability in tensile strength data. A total of 15 features based on the Dielectric characteristics of the sample has been used in the algorithm. In this case, a classifier algorithm has been utilized, which predicts tensile strength based on which subset it belongs to. Overall, an estimation of the mechanical strength can be obtained by measuring the dielectric characteristic using an AC current frequency sweep which is a time-saving and nondestructive procedure and fitting the data in a supervised learning algorithm.
A New Model of Acute Exacerbation of Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

Rationale: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most severe form of fibrosing interstitial lung disease, characterized by progressive respiratory failure leading to death. IPF’s natural history is heterogeneous, and its progression unpredictable. Most patients develop a progressive decline of respiratory function over years; some remain stable, but others present a fast-respiratory deterioration without identifiable cause, classified as acute exacerbation (AE). Objectives: to develop and characterize an experimental mice model of lung fibrosis AE, mimicking IPF-AE at the functional, histopathological, cellular and molecular levels. Methods: we established in C57BL/6 male mice a chronic pulmonary fibrosis using a repetitive low-dose bleomycin (BLM) intratracheal (IT) instillation regimen (four instillations of BLM every 2 weeks), followed by two IT instillations of a simple or double-dose BLM challenge to induce AE. Clinical follow-up and histological and molecular analyses were done for fibrotic and inflammatory lung remodeling analysis. Measurements and main results: as compared with a low-dose BLM regimen, this AE model induced a late burst of animal mortality, worsened lung fibrosis and remodeling, and superadded histopathological features as observed in humans IPF-AE. This was associated with stronger inflammation, increased macrophage infiltration of lung tissue and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung homogenates. Finally, it induced in the remodeled lung a diffuse expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, a hallmark of tissular hypoxia response and a major player in the progression of IPF. Conclusion: this new model is a promising model of AE in chronic pulmonary fibrosis that could be relevant to mimic IPF-AE in preclinical trials.
Topology of COBE microwave background fluctuations

We have measured the topology (genus) of the fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background that have been seen in the recently completed (4-yr) data set produced by the COBE satellite. We find that the genus is consistent with that expected from a random phase Gaussian distribution, as might be produced naturally in inflationary models.
The antioxidant response of Hedera helix leaves to seasonal temperature variations

Seasonal variations in the environment (e.g. of temperature and light intensity) can lead to the excess production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, inducing changes in the permeability of the plant cell membrane and the structure and function of cellular molecules. To address these deleterious effects, plants activate various non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. This study seeks to detect the influence of seasonal variation in Hedera helix (ivy) leaves, collected in Banj brdo (Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina) between December 2017 and November 2018, on oxidative (hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase, Class III peroxidases, and phenolic compounds) parameters. During the winter-early spring months (a temperature range of 0.7 to 5.4? C), we detected an increase in the values of all the oxidative and antioxidant parameters, whereas during the spring, summer, and autumn months (a temperature range of 15 to 25? C), the values of most of these parameters fell. However, a peak in the parameter values was detected during June and July 2018, which might be attributable to the influence of the changes in both light intensity and temperature and to the effects of intensive shoot growth. Our results highlight the importance of the antioxidant protection system of H. helix for its acclimation to seasonal variations in the environment, especially temperature.
In vitro screening of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) varieties for salt tolerance

The present study was carried out to screen six promising varieties of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), viz. Pusa Chitraksha, Lalit, Pusa Aditya, Basanti, Himanshu, and Pusa Sona in MS (Murashige and Skoog) media supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM/NaCl. As the concentration of NaCl increased, there was a corresponding decrease in shoot length, fresh weight, number of leaves and rooting percentage. Number of shoots per plant exhibited not much significant difference. Maximum reduction in plant growth was recorded in the variety Pusa Sona (60.60%) while minimum reduction was observed in variety Pusa Aditya (35.60%). The highest fresh weight was recorded in variety Pusa Aditya and lowest in the varieties Himanshu and Pusa Sona, when the medium was supplemented with 150 mM NaCl. Variety Pusa Sona (57.00%) had the maximum reduction in the number of leaves per plant and minimum was found in the variety Lalit (29.10%). Increasing salt stress had an adverse effect on rooting abilities of all the varieties. Under the control with no added NaCl, the rooting percentage was 100% among all the varieties. In medium supplemented with 150 mM/l NaCl, the maximum rooting was recorded in the variety Pusa Aditya (63.80%)) and Basanti (63.80%), whereas least was observed in the varieties Pusa Sona and Himanshu (22.00% and 41.80%, respectively).
Experimental demonstration of PT‐symmetric stripe lasers

Recently, the coexistence of a parity‐time (PT) symmetric laser and absorber has gained tremendous research attention. While PT‐symmetric lasers have been observed in microring resonators, the experimental demonstration of a PT‐symmetric stripe laser is still absent. Here, we experimentally study a PT‐symmetric laser absorber in a stripe waveguide. Using the concept of PT‐symmetry to exploit the light amplification and absorption, PT‐symmetric laser absorbers have been successfully obtained. In contrast to the single‐mode PT‐symmetric lasers, the PT‐symmetric stripe lasers have been experimentally confirmed by comparing the relative wavelength positions and mode spacing under different pumping conditions. When the waveguide is half‐pumped, the mode spacing is doubled and the lasing wavelengths shift to the center of every two initial lasing modes. All these observations are consistent with the theoretical predictions and well confirm the PT‐symmetry breaking.
UV slope of z ∼ 3 bright (L > L*) Lyman-break galaxies in the COSMOS field

Context. The analysis of the UV slope β of Lyman-break galaxies (LBG) at different luminosities and redshifts is fundamental for understanding their physical properties, and in particular, their dust extinction. Aims. We analyse a unique sample of 517 bright (L > L*) LBGs at redshift z ∼ 3 in order to characterise the distribution of their UV slopes β and infer their dust extinction under standard assumptions. Methods. We exploited multi-band observations over 750 arcmin2 of the COSMOS field that were acquired with three different ground-based facilities: the Large Binocular Camera (LBC) on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), the Suprime-Cam on the SUBARU telescope, and the VIRCAM on the VISTA telescope (ULTRAVISTA DR2). Our multi-band photometric catalogue is based on a new method that is designed to maximise the signal-to-noise ratio in the estimate of accurate galaxy colours from images with different point spread functions (PSF). We adopted an improved selection criterion based on deep Y-band data to isolate a sample of galaxies at z ∼ 3 to minimise selection biases. We measured the UV slopes (β) of the objects in our sample and then recovered the intrinsic probability density function of β values (PDF(β)), taking into account the effect of observational uncertainties through detailed simulations. Results. The galaxies in our sample are characterised by mildly red UV slopes with ⟨β⟩≃ − 1.70 throughout the enitre luminosity range that is probed by our data (−24 ≲ M1600 ≲ −21). The resulting dust-corrected star formation rate density (SFRD) is log(SFRD)≃ − 1.6 M⊙ yr−1 Mpc−3, corresponding to a contribution of about 25% to the total SFRD at z ∼ 3 under standard assumptions. Conclusions. Ultra-bright LBGs at z ∼ 3 match the known trends, with UV slopes being redder at decreasing redshifts, and brighter galaxies being more highly dust extinct and more frequently star-forming than fainter galaxies.
Non-Abelian string junctions as confined monopoles

Various dynamical regimes associated with confined monopoles in the Higgs phase of $\mathcal{N}=2$ two-flavor QCD are studied. The microscopic model we deal with has the $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{U}(1)$ gauge group, with a Fayet\char21{}Iliopoulos term of the U(1) factor, and large and (nearly) degenerate mass terms of the matter hypermultiplets. We present a complete quasiclassical treatment of the BPS sector of this model, including the full set of the first-order equations, derivations of all relevant zero modes, and derivation of an effective low-energy theory for the corresponding collective coordinates. The macroscopic description is provided by a ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$ model with or without twisted mass. The confined monopoles\char22{}string junctions of the microscopic theory\char22{}are mapped onto BPS kinks of the ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$ model. The string junction is $\frac{1}{4}$ BPS. Masses and other characteristics of the confined monopoles are matched with those of the ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$-model kinks. The matching demonstrates the occurrence of an anomaly in the monopole central charge in 4D Yang\char21{}Mills theory. We study what becomes of the confined monopole in the bona fide non-Abelian limit of degenerate mass terms where a global SU(2) symmetry is restored. The solution of the macroscopic model is known, e.g., from the mirror description of the ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$ model. The monopoles, aka ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$-model kinks, are stabilized by nonperturbative dynamics of the ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$ model. We explain an earlier rather puzzling observation of a correspondence between the BPS kink spectrum in the ${\mathrm{CP}}^{1}$ model and the Seiberg\char21{}Witten solution.
The effect of magnetization and electric polarization on the anomalous transport coefficients of a chiral fluid

The effects of finite magnetization and electric polarization on dissipative and non-dissipative (anomalous) transport coefficients of a chiral fluid are studied. First, using the second law of thermodynamics as well as Onsager’s time-reversal symmetry principle, the complete set of dissipative transport coefficients of this medium is derived. It is shown that the properties of the resulting shear and bulk viscosities are mainly affected by the anisotropy induced by external electric and magnetic fields. Then, using the fact that the anomaly induced currents do not contribute to entropy production, the corresponding algebro-differential equations to non-dissipative anomalous transport coefficients are derived in a certain derivative expansion. The solutions of these equations show that, within this approximation, anomalous transport coefficients are, in particular, given in terms of the electric susceptibility of the medium.