Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tracking genetically engineered lymphocytes long-term reveals the dynamics of T cell immunological memory

Antigen exposure and differentiation phenotype influence long-term persistence of memory T cells after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Committing T cells to memory Adoptive cell transfer is an increasingly successful therapy for a variety of diseases; however, little is known about what regulates the survival of these cells in humans. Now, Oliveira et al. leverage patients who have received genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells to track T cells over time. They found labeled effector memory, central memory, and stem memory T cells 2 to 14 years after infusion in all patients. Antigen recognition was critical in driving persistence and expansion. The clones that survived long-term appeared to initiate preferentially from central and stem cell memory T cell populations. These data suggest that the original phenotype of infused cells may influence long-term persistence of adoptively transferred cells. Long-lasting immune protection from pathogens and cancer requires the generation of memory T cells able to survive long-term. To unravel the immunological requirements for long-term persistence of human memory T cells, we characterized and traced, over several years, T lymphocytes genetically modified to express the thymidine kinase (TK) suicide gene that were infused in 10 patients after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). At 2 to 14 years after infusion and in the presence of a broad and resting immune system, we could still detect effectors/effector memory (TEM/EFF), central memory (TCM), and stem memory (TSCM) TK+ cells, circulating at low but stable levels in all patients. Longitudinal analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV)– and Flu-specific TK+ cells indicated that antigen recognition was dominant in driving in vivo expansion and persistence at detectable levels. The amount of infused TSCM cells positively correlated with early expansion and with the absolute counts of long-term persisting gene-marked cells. By combining T cell sorting with sequencing of integration (IS), TCRα and TCRβ clonal markers, we showed that T cells retrieved long-term were enriched in clones originally shared in different memory T cell subsets, whereas dominant long-term clonotypes appeared to preferentially originate from infused TSCM and TCM clones. Together, these results indicate that long-term persistence of gene-modified memory T cells after haploidentical HSCT is influenced by antigen exposure and by the original phenotype of infused cells. Cancer adoptive immunotherapy might thus benefit from cellular products enriched in lymphocytes with an early-differentiated phenotype.
Identification and characterization of starter lactic acid bacteria and probiotics from Columbian dairy products

Aims: Considering the significant rise in the probiotic market in Columbia, and given the lack of reports concerning the microbial population and strain performance in products from different producers, this study aims at determining the number of viable starter bacteria and probiotics in bio‐yoghurts available at the Columbian market, identifying the species and analysing the performance of the isolated strains in bile acid resistance, antagonistic activity against pathogens, and adherence capacity to human intestinal epithelial cells.
Solar hard X-ray imaging by means of Compressed Sensing and Finite Isotropic Wavelet Transform

Aims. Compressed sensing realized by means of regularized deconvolution and the finite isotropic wavelet transform is effective and reliable in hard X-ray solar imaging. Methods. The method uses the finite isotropic wavelet transform with the Meyer function as the mother wavelet. Furthermore, compressed sensing is realized by optimizing a sparsity-promoting regularized objective function by means of the fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm. Eventually, the regularization parameter is selected by means of the Miller criterion. Results. The method is applied against both synthetic data mimicking measurements made with the Spectrometer/Telescope Imaging X-rays (STIX) and experimental observations provided by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). The performances of the method are qualitatively validated by comparing some morphological properties of the reconstructed sources with those of the corresponding synthetic configurations. Furthermore, the results concerning experimental data are compared with those obtained by applying other visibility-based reconstruction methods. Conclusions. The results show that when the new method is applied to synthetic STIX visibility sets, it provides reconstructions with a spatial accuracy comparable to the accuracy provided by the most popular method in hard X-ray solar imaging and with a higher spatial resolution. Furthermore, when it is applied to experimental RHESSI data, the reconstructions are characterized by reliable photometry and by a notable reduction of the ringing effects caused by the instrument point spread function.
The Rest-Frame K-Band Luminosity Function of Galaxies in Clusters to z = 1.3

We derive the rest-frame K-band luminosity function for galaxies in 32 clusters at 0.6 < z < 1.3 using deep 3.6 and 4.5 μm imaging from the Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera. The luminosity functions approximate the stellar mass function of the cluster galaxies. Their dependence on redshift indicates that massive cluster galaxies (to the characteristic luminosity M) are fully assembled at least at z ∼ 1.3 and that little significant accretion takes place at later times. The existence of massive, highly evolved galaxies at these epochs is likely to represent a significant challenge to theories of hierarchical structure formation where such objects are formed by the late accretion of spheroidal systems at z < 1.
Needle insertion modeling and simulation

A methodology for estimating the force distribution that occurs along a needle shaft during insertion is described. An experimental system for measuring planar tissue phantom deformation during needle insertions has been developed and is presented. A two-dimensional linear elastostatic material model, discretised using the finite element method, is used to derive contact force information that is not directly measurable. This approach provides a method for quantifying the needle forces and soft tissue deformations that occur during general needle trajectories in multiple dimensions. The needle force distribution is used for graphical and haptic real-time simulations of needle insertion. Since the force displacement relationship is required only along the needle, a condensation technique is shown to achieve very fast interactive simulations. Stiffness matrix changes corresponding to changes in boundary conditions and material coordinate frames are performed using low-rank matrix updates.
Impacts of dietary calcium, phytate, and nonphytate phosphorus concentrations in the presence or absence of phytase on inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) degradation in different segments of broilers digestive tract

A total of 1,440 straight-run Heritage 56M × fast-feathering Cobb 500F broiler birds were fed from 11 to 13 d of age to determine the impacts of calcium (Ca), phytate phosphorus (PP), nonphytate P (nPP) and phytase concentrations on the myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) flow through the different parts of gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The experiment was a 2×2×2×3 randomized block design with 2 Ca (0.7 and 1.0%), 2 PP (0.23 and 0.34%), 2 nPP (0.28 and 0.45%) and 3 phytase (0-, 500-, and 1,000-phytase unit (FTU)/kg) concentrations. The experiment was replicated twice (block) with 3 replicates per treatment (Trt) of 10 birds per block. Concentration of IP6 in crop, proventriculus (Prov) plus (+) gizzard (Giz) and distal ileum digesta as well as the ileal IP6 disappearance was determined at 13 d of age. In crop, higher IP6 concentration was seen with increased Ca (P < 0.05). Despite the interaction between PP and phytase, higher dietary PP led to greater IP6 concentration (P < 0.05). Similar main effects of PP and phytase were also seen in Prov+Giz and ileum (P < 0.05) without interactions. Interaction between Ca and nPP on IP6 concentration was seen in Prov+Giz (P < 0.05). Decreased ileal IP6 disappearance was found at higher Ca (62.3% at 0.7% Ca vs. 57.5% at 1.0% Ca; P < 0.05). In general, adding phytase improved IP6 degradation but the degree of impact was dependent on nPP and PP (P < 0.05). In conclusion, phytase inclusion significantly reduced IP6 concentration and IP6 disappearance in distal ileum regardless of GIT segments or diet composition, but impacts of dietary Ca, nPP, and PP differed depending on GIT segment examined.
Moving Beyond Total Words Written: The Reliability, Criterion Validity, and Time Cost of Alternate Measures for Curriculum-Based Measurement in Writing

Abstract Curriculum-based measures of written expression have traditionally used total words written or correct word sequences as indices of students' skill levels. Although there are validity data to support these measures, anecdotal evidence indicates that these measures may be unacceptable to some teachers and psychologists. This investigation attempted to determine whether additional hand-scored and computer-scored measures might share more variance with the criterion measures than total words written or correct word sequences. Third and fourth grade students (n = 179) completed 3-min CBM writing probes on two consecutive days, which were scored for nineteen variables. Correlations and regressions of these with criterion variables were calculated. The new measure, correct punctuation marks, shows the most promise for serving as an additional index for writing skill. In addition, this study investigated the time costs associated with scoring these variables. Implications of the analyses, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed.
Power Control for Cognitive Radio Base on Game Theory

A new technology to achieve the spectrum efficiency usage is cognitive radio. This paper we study the power control of the transmitter in basic cognitive cycle. And game theory is applied for modeling. Non-cooperative power control game which is created by D. Goodman is used; however, we introduce a new sigmoid efficiency function only related with user's SIR. Its advantage is obvious that regardless of the modulation of users' RAT, which is very suitable for cognitive radio system. Specifically, we also modify the traditional pricing function with an addition of path gain. It is proved that the new utility function will bring an obvious improvement comparing to NPG and NPGP used in traditional CDMA systems.
Survival and complications after insertion of self-expandable metal stents for malignant oesophageal stenosis

Objective. To report on survival and complications after insertion of self-expandable stents in patients with malignant oesophageal stenosis. Material and methods. Data were gathered retrospectively from the medical records of 92 consecutive patients in the period 1994–2003. The study comprised 68 men and 24 women (median age 72 years, range 46–93 years) with stenosis from cancer of the oesophagus (n=61), the gastric cardia (n=26) and the lung (n=5), located mainly above (n=4) or below (n=62) the carina, or at the gastro-oesophageal junction (n=26). One uncovered stent and six different covered stents were used. Results. Median and mean survival times after stenting (n=92) were 83 (range 4–1102) and 125 days, respectively. Thirty-day mortality was 19% (n=17), and 7% (n=6) survived more than one year. Survival was neither significantly influenced by division of the patients into diagnostic subgroups nor by comparison of the three most frequently used stents. One, two, three and four stents were received by 76, 11, 4 and 1 patient(s), respectively. There was no stent-related mortality, and complications were bleeding 1 (1%), stent migration 7 (8%), recurrent stenosis 8 (9%) from both tumour overgrowth (n=8) and tumour ingrowth (n=2) when using uncovered stents. Thirteen (14%) patients were restented because of recurrent stenosis (n=8) including fistula formation to the left main bronchus (n=2) and stent migration (n=5). Conclusions. Use of self-expandable stents in patients with inoperable malignant oesophageal stenosis carried few complications and resulted in relatively long survival in comparison with similar studies.
Effect of Pentobarbital and Urethane on the Release of Hypothalamic Somatostatin and Pituitary Growth Hormone

Hypothalamic somatostatin release was investigated in the rat to elucidate the mechanism of anesthetic action on growth hormone (GH) release from the pituitary. Intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital (5 mg/100 gm B.W.) significantly elevated serum GH levels and increased hypothalamic somatostatin concentration from basal values of 0.98 +/- 0.01 to 1.21 +/- 0.06 ng/mg wet wt. In contrast, urethane (150 mg/100 gm B.W., IP) administration lowered serum GH levels and hypothalamic somatostatin concentration (0.64 +/- 0.04 ng/mg wet wt.). However, the mean concentration of pancreatic somatostatin showed no change in either case. In rats receiving passive immunization with 0.5 ml rabbit antiserum to somatostatin (SRIF-AS), serum GH levels were significantly increased (67.5 +/- 12.3 ng/ml) and did not differ from those in the group treated with normal rabbit serum (NRS) plus pentobarbital (101.3 +/- 18.5 ng/ml). However, serum GH levels in rats injected with SRIF-AS plus pentobarbital were increased to higher values than in rats given SRIF-AS alone. When urethane was administered to rats after passive immunization with SRIF-AS, urethane-induced suppression of serum GH levels was markedly inhibited (5.5 +/- 2.0 vs. 33.5 +/- 7.5 ng/ml). These results suggest a possibility that the changes in serum GH levels observed with pentobarbital or urethane administration may be induced at least in one part by somatostatin released from the hypothalamus.
Cold pressor test : Effects on cardiac autonomic control and cerebral hemodynamic response in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

The study aimed to estimate the changes in the cardiac autonomic function and the cerebral blood flow respose to cold stress in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Twenty patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (age range 45-67years) and 10 presumed healthy age and sex matched controls were included in the study. Simultaneous transcranial Doppler and heart rate monitoring was performed at rest and after cold pressor test with a 3-min immersion of the right hand in ice water. The blood flow velocity (BFV) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was measured and the heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were calculated. In the diabetic patients the increase of the cerebral BFV after the cold stimulus was less expressed as compared to the control subjects, while the increase of the vascular resistance was stronger. However the provoked increase of the blood pressure values after the cold test was greater in the patients. The cold stress induced increase of most HRV parameters in the controls and their decrease in the patients with diabetes. The observed attenuated effect of the cold stimulus on the HRV and on the cerebral hemodynamics in the patients with diabetes type 2 was due to impaired cardiac and cerebral vascular autonomic control.
Pharmacogenomics DNA Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: Current Update

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains as one of the most common cause of worldwide cancer morbidity and mortality. Improvements in surgical modalities and adjuvant chemotherapy have increased the cure rates in early stage disease, but a significant portion of the patients will develop recurrence or advanced disease. The efficacy of chemotherapy of recurrence and advanced CRC has improved significantly over the last decade. Previously, the historical drug 5-fluorouracil was used as single chemotherapeutic agent. Now with the addition of other drugs such as capecitabine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, bevacizumab, cetuximab, panitumumab, vemurafenib, and dabrafenib, the median survival of patients with advanced CRC has significantly improved from less than a year to the current standard of almost 2 years. However, the side effects of systemic therapy such as toxicity may cause fatal complications and have a major consequences on the patients’ quality of life. Hence, there is an urgent need for key biomarkers which will enable the selection of optimal drug singly or in combination for an individual patient. The application of personalized therapy based on DNA testing could aid the clinicians in providing the most effective chemotherapy agents and dose modifications for each patient. Yet, some of the current findings are controversial and the evidences are conflicting. This review aims at summarizing the current state of knowledge about germline pharmacogenomics DNA variants that are currently used to guide therapeutic decisions and variants that have the potential to be clinically useful in the future. In addition, current updates on germline variants conferring treatment sensitivity, drug resistance to existing chemotherapy agents and variants affecting prognosis and survival will also be emphasized. Different alteration in the same gene might confer resistance or enhanced sensitivity; and while most of other published reviews generally stated only the gene name and codon location, we will specifically discuss the exact variants to offer more accurate information in this mini review.
Paul McReynolds (Ed.) Advances in Psychological Assessment—Volume 4. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1977. Pp. xvi + 598. $19.95.

Volume 4 of Paul McReynold’s edited series in psychological assessment reviews recent developments in clinical and experimental measurement. A new volume is published every 2 or 3 years that reviews single instruments or general topics in assessment of interest for both clinicians and researchers. The instrument and topic areas addressed in Volume 4 are commensurate with modern trends in assessment. For example, the chapter on the assessment of self-actualization was in response to a greater acceptance of measurement and quantification among psychologists with a humanistic, third-force orientation. McReynolds perceived similar trends among behavioral psychologists who historically have been dissatisfied with standard measurement techniques and their philosophical underpinnings. However, as psychologists have changed their underlying philosophical stance regarding what behaviors should be measured and how measurement should be conducted, behaviorists have become more receptive to assessment. Many chapters present behavioral approaches to the assessment of diverse topics. Seemingly, measurement specialists have begun to accept the dictum that many psychological constructs, heretofore thought to be “hidden” within the psyche, are in fact readily amenable to direct observation and quantification in the environment. The present volume also recognizes that human behavior is contextually bound and that concomitant measurement of the environmental context of behavior should increase predictive validity. This principle is clearly present in Lewin’s equation B = f(P, E), which describes behavior as a function of the person and the environment in interaction. While concern with organism-environment interaction is not new, techniques to measure this interaction have been largely elusive. The present trend in measurement and the study of personality in the laboratory (e.g., Magnusson & Endler, 1977) involves movement away
Relationships: A Dialectical Perspective

Part 1 Prolegomena: from everyday behaviour towards a science of relationships obstacles to a science of relationships the self, interactions and relationships. Part 2 Characteristics of relationships: describing relationships problems in description the constituent interactions the content and diversity of interactions qualities of interactions and communication relative frequency and patterning in interactions give and take similarity versus difference - similarity/reciprocity similarity versus difference - difference/complementarity conflict and power - conflict conflict and power - power closeness self-disclosure and privacy inter-personal perception, accounts, and the perception of relationships satisfaction comittment. Part 3 Further principles for understanding relationship progress: individual characteristics social and extra-dyadic influences dissonance, balance and attribution exchange, equity, interdependence and investment theories the cateogrization of resources attachment theory negative and positive feedback. Part 4 Friendship and love: acquaintance the development of relationships maintenance the decline and dissolution of relationships a programme for integration.
Duane's syndrome.

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Compound and Non Homogeneous Poisson Software Reliability Models

The efficiency of two Software Reliability growth models are analyzed. The most popular based on a non homogeneous Poisson pro- cess and the less known based on a compound Poisson process. Several experimental data are used in order to analyze the goodness of fit of both models. The importance of the estimation method for the parame- ters involved is also analyzed.