Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering Strategies to Enhance TCR-Based Adoptive T Cell Therapy

T cell receptor (TCR)-based adoptive T cell therapies (ACT) hold great promise for the treatment of cancer, as TCRs can cover a broad range of target antigens. Here we summarize basic, translational and clinical results that provide insight into the challenges and opportunities of TCR-based ACT. We review the characteristics of target antigens and conventional αβ-TCRs, and provide a summary of published clinical trials with TCR-transgenic T cell therapies. We discuss how synthetic biology and innovative engineering strategies are poised to provide solutions for overcoming current limitations, that include functional avidity, MHC restriction, and most importantly, the tumor microenvironment. We also highlight the impact of precision genome editing on the next iteration of TCR-transgenic T cell therapies, and the discovery of novel immune engineering targets. We are convinced that some of these innovations will enable the field to move TCR gene therapy to the next level.
The Lymphangiogenic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors VEGF-C and -D Are Ligands for the Integrin α9β1*

Mice homozygous for a null mutation of the integrin α9 subunit die 6–12 days after birth from bilateral chylothoraces suggesting an underlying defect in lymphatic development. However, until now the mechanisms by which the integrin α9β1 modulates lymphangiogenesis have not been described. In this study we show that adhesion to and migration on the lymphangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-C and -D) are α9β1-dependent. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human colon carcinoma cells (SW-480) transfected to express α9β1 adhered and/or migrated on both growth factors in a concentration-dependent fashion, and both adhesion and migration were abrogated by anti-α9β1 function-blocking antibody. In SW-480 cells, which lack cognate receptors for VEGF-C and -D, both growth factors induced α9β1-dependent Erk and paxillin phosphorylation. Human microvascular endothelial cells, which express both α9β1 and VEGF-R3, also adhered to and migrated on both growth factors, and both responses were blocked by anti-α9β1 antibody. Furthermore, in a solid phase binding assay recombinant VEGF-C and -D bound to purified α9β1 integrin in a dose- and cation-dependent fashion showing that VEGF-C and VEGF-D are ligands for the integrin α9β1. The interaction between α9β1 and VEGF-C and/or -D may begin to explain the abnormal lymphatic phenotype of the α9 knock-out mice.
Seed Dormancy in the Alpine Rush, Luzula Spicata L.

A study of Luzula spicata seeds from the alpine tundra of the Colorado Front Range revealed complete dormancy due to a condition of the seed coat or endosperm. Dormancy appears to be related to the presence of a hard waxy layer (gelatinous sheath when imbibed) covering the entire seed surface. The only seed treatment effective in breaking dormancy in this species is scarification on the micropylar end of the seed. Some type of mechanical action on the seed coat apparently is necessary to elicit germination, presumably accomplished naturally by the abrasive action of soil particles (rather than by biotic action) but probably not until such time as the protective waxy or gelatinous buffer has been weathered away. Seeds from different alpine locations and collected in different years did not vary in the extent or degree of dormancy exhibited, nor did they vary significantly in their response to scarification and other treatments. See full-text article at JSTOR
SPHN/PHRT: Forming a Swiss-Wide Infrastructure for Data-Driven Sepsis Research

Sepsis is a highly heterogenous syndrome with variable causes and outcomes. As part of the SPHN/PHRT funding program, we aim to build a highly interoperable, interconnected network for data collection, exchange and analysis of patients on intensive care units in order to predict sepsis onset and mortality earlier. All five University Hospitals, Universities, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and ETH Zurich are involved in this multi-disciplinary project. With two prospective clinical observational studies, we test our infrastructure setup and improve the framework gradually and generate relevant data for research.
TAPHONOMY OF EXTANT DESERT TORTOISE (GOPHERUS AGASSIZII) AND LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE (CARETTA CARETTA) NESTING SITES: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERPRETING THE FOSSIL RECORD

ABSTRACT Dinosaur reproductive biology is often inferred from the biology of extant taxa; however, taphonomic studies of modern nest sites have focused exclusively on avian, rather than reptilian species. We documented eight Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) nests and ten loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests. Gopherus agassizii excavated burrows up to 70 cm long and laid rigid-shelled eggs 10–12 cm below the burrow floor. The 19 cm × 12 cm depressions consisted of hard consolidated sand surrounded by a 3–4-cm-high rim and contained 2–5 hatched eggs in a single layer. These hatched egg bottoms represent ∼ 25% of the original egg, and five of 27 contained fully developed dead neonates. Desiccated membrane separated from the egg interior forming pockets that filled with eggshell and sand. Of 106 and 79 eggshell fragments in the hatched egg and surrounding sand, 48% and 23% occurred concave up, respectively. However, the combined numbers of eggshell fragments inside the eggs and in the immediately surrounding sand approximates the 60∶40 ratios at in situ avian nests. Therefore, this ratio may provide reliable evidence for hatching sites regardless of the incubation strategy employed by the adult. Caretta caretta nests differed from those of tortoises in their greater depth (∼ 50 cm) and occurrence in moist, cohesive sand. Clutches contained over 100 pliable-shelled eggs that tore and collapsed upon hatching, without brittle fracture. Failed eggs in two clutches showed five development stages, indicating that the deaths occurred over an extended time period. With the exception of predation, the G. agassizii and C. caretta nests showed no significant eggshell or hatched eggs above the egg chamber.
Dendritic Poly-[N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-L-Glutamine] as Potential Drug Carrier

Dendritic poly-[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-L-glutamine] (PHEG) with different molecular weights were synthesized by aminolysis of dendritic poly-(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBG), which was obtained by polymerization of the corresponding N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) with poly(amido amine) (PAMAM, starburst®) of the fourth generation as initiator. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to determine the size of the polymeric carriers and to compare the dendritic polymer to the linear analogue. The body distribution and blood clearance of 125 I-radiolabelled linear and dendritic PHEG with similar molecular weight were investigated in female BALB/c mice.
Evaluación de dos medios bacterianos aceleradores del proceso de nitrificación en filtros biológicos de cultivos marinos

Eval~iation of two commercial nitrification accelerators in seawater biological filters Commercial bacterial formulations were added to new seawater tanks with individual recir- culating systems, and their ability to accelerate the establishment of nitrification was com- pared with an untreated control. Crushed shells were used as filter media in biological trickle filters and 17 mediterranean seabreams (Sparus aurata) were introduced in the 400 L tanks as ammonia producers. Physico-chernical parameters were monitored and recorded with the sarne procedure for each of the experimental groups. The time for effective ammo- nia oxidation was not reduced in any of both treatments, but time of nitrite reduction dimi- nished for Biozyme and increased in Alken Clear Flo. Baseline values for ammonia and nitrite through the experiment were lower for Biozyme, followed by Alken Clear Flo 1200 and control tank.
Accounting for food requirements of seabirds in fisheries management – the case of the South African purse-seine fishery

In South Africa, four of the seabirds that feed mainly on sardine Sardinops sagax and anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus have an unfavourable conservation status or a small population: African penguin Spheniscus demersus, Cape gannet Morus capensis, Cape cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis and swift tern Sterna bergii. Availability of prey is thought to influence their population size, but their food requirements have not been accounted for in management of the purse-seine fishery on sardine and anchovy. Means of identifying and attaining target populations of predators that are dependent on forage fish prey are discussed. Criteria used by The World Conservation Union to assess the conservation status of a species may prove useful in determining minimum viable populations, and the use of functional relationships in coupled models of predators and their prey may allow quantification of levels of escapement of prey that are necessary to maintain or rebuild populations of predators.
Behavioural responses of Trichostrongylus tenuis (Cobbold) larvae in relation to their transmission to the red grouse, Lagopus Iagopus scoticus

ABSTRACT Third-stage larvae of Trichostrongylus tenuis, the caccal threadworm of red grouse, show strong positive phototactic behaviour which is reinforced by negative geotactic behaviour. The surfaces of various grouse food plants were examined and those of young Calluna vulgaris (common heather) were suitable for ncmatodc migration. Transmission is probably achieved by third-stage larvae of 71 tenuis migrating up young heather plants, rather than by direct ingestion with grit from the ground.
Effects of Corn Stunt Spiroplasma on Survival of Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Parasitized or Preyed upon by Gonatopus bartletti (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) or Infected by Metarhizium anisopliae

Abstract The effects of corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS), Spiroplasma kunkelii, on survival of corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (Delong & Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), exposed to parasitism, fungal disease, or predation were investigated in the laboratory. Adult corn leafhoppers with or without CSS were exposed separately to parasitism or predation by Gonatopus bartletti, a parasitoid that acts also as a predator, or to infection by Metarhizium anisopliae, a pathogenic fungus, to evaluate the effects of CSS on corn leafhopper survival confronted with these natural enemies. CSS alone did not affect corn leafhopper survival, but differentially mediated survival of leafhoppers exposed to parasitism or predation by G. bartletti, or infection with M. anisopliae. CSS did not affect the survival of corn leafhoppers parasitized by G. bartletti: Survivorship of leafhoppers carrying CSS and parasitized by G. bartletti was ≈9%, whereas in the absence of CSS and parasitized it was ≈17%, but the difference was not significant. Similarly, CSS did not affect the survival of corn leafhoppers infected with M. anisopliae: Survivorship of leafhoppers carrying CSS and infected with M. anisopliae was ≈64%, whereas in the absence of CSS and infected with M. anisopliae it was ≈73%, but the difference was not significant. In contrast, CSS reduced the survival rate of corn leafhoppers exposed to predation by G. bartletti, though the effect was mediated by the incubation period of CSS. Corn leafhoppers exposed to predation and carrying CSS for 10 or 20 d had significantly lower survivorship rates, ≈54 and ≈47%, respectively, compared with those of leafhoppers carrying CSS for 2 d or free of CSS, ≈91 and ≈78%, respectively. The lower survival rate of corn leafhoppers carrying CSS and exposed to predation by G. bartletti, particularly of leafhoppers with longer CSS incubation periods, together with the lower survival rate of CSS in leafhoppers parasitized by G. bartletti documented in earlier studies, are suggested as factors limiting the abundance of the vector and plant pathogen in their shared area of origin.
Runt-related transcription factor 1 is required for murine osteoblast differentiation and bone formation

Despite years of research investigating osteoblast differentiation, the mechanisms by which transcription factors regulate osteoblast maturation, bone formation, and bone homeostasis is still unclear. It has been reported that runt-related transcription factor 1 (Runx1) is expressed in osteoblast progenitors, pre-osteoblasts, and mature osteoblasts; yet, surprisingly, the exact function of RUNX1 in osteoblast maturation and bone formation remains unknown. Here, we generated and characterized a pre-osteoblast and differentiating chondrocyte-specific Runx1 conditional knockout mouse model to study RUNX1's function in bone formation. Runx1 ablation in osteoblast precursors and differentiating chondrocytes via osterix-Cre (Osx-Cre) resulted in an osteoporotic phenotype and decreased bone density in the long bones and skulls of Runx1f/fOsx-Cre mice compared with Runx1f/f and Osx-Cre mice. RUNX1 deficiency reduced the expression of SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), Indian hedgehog signaling molecule (IHH), Patched (PTC), and cyclin D1 in the growth plate, and also reduced the expression of osteocalcin (OCN), OSX, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and RUNX2 in osteoblasts. ChIP assays and promoter activity mapping revealed that RUNX1 directly associates with the Runx2 gene promoter and up-regulates Runx2 expression. Furthermore, the ChIP data also showed that RUNX1 associates with the Ocn promoter. In conclusion, RUNX1 up-regulates the expression of Runx2 and multiple bone-specific genes, and plays an indispensable role in bone formation and homeostasis in both trabecular and cortical bone. We propose that stimulating Runx1 activity may be useful in therapeutic approaches for managing some bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
Evaluation of Seedlings of Fraser, Momi, and Siberian Fir for Resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi

Containerized seedlings of Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. ), momi fir (A. Firma Sieb. & Zucc.), and Siberian fir (A. siberica Ledeb. var. argentea) were tested for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands (two experiments). Fraser fir was very susceptible, with many plants dead after 4 to 5 weeks. Symptoms developed more slowly in Siberian fir, but most plants were dead or dying after 10 weeks. Momi fir appeared somewhat resistant to the pathogen. Though undesirable as a Christmas tree, momi fir might be useful as a rootstock for grafting better quality species in areas affected by root rot.
Bortezomib-Mediated Up-Regulation of TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 Is Not Necessary for but Contributes to Sensitization of Primary Human Glioma Cells to TRAIL

In Response: In their Letter, Kyritsis et al. discussed the interesting question of the contribution of up-regulation of the apoptosis-inducing tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors, TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5), to the sensitization of tumor cells to TRAIL
Current Harmonic Optimization of Two-Level Synchronous Symmetric SVPWM at Low Switching Frequency

This paper aims to optimize the harmonic performance of two-level synchronous symmetric SVPWM at low switching frequency in high-power applications. Voltage waveform with pulse number 9 is studied, satisfying synchronization, three-phase symmetry, half and quarter waveform symmetry. The harmonic energy of each reference vector is calculated and compared through the harmonic energy formula. By inserting one pulse at the vector sequence where the harmonic energy is the greatest, the equivalent line inductance is increased and thus reducing the harmonic current. The simulation results show that the total harmonic distortion (THD) can be reduced by 45%, only slightly increasing the switching frequency.
Multivariate Financial Time-Series Prediction With Certified Robustness

The futures market’s forecasts are significant to investors and policymakers, where the application of deep learning approaches to finance has received a great deal of attention. In this study, we propose a multivariate financial time-series forecasting method. Our model addresses the long- and short-term features, multimodal and non-stationarity nature of multivariate time-series by incorporating the improved deep neural networks and certified noise injection. Specifically, multimodal variational autoencoder is used to extract deep high-level features of multivariate time-series, Long- and Short- Term recurrent neural network is applied for multivariate time-series forecasting, and certified noise injection mechanism, inspired by differential privacy, is proposed to improve the robustness and accuracy of prediction. Extensive empirical results on real-world agricultural commodity futures price time series and relevant external data demonstrate that our model achieves better performance over that of several state-of-the-art baseline methods.
Trajectory Design for Energy Harvesting UAV Networks: A Foraging Approach

In this paper, the problem of trajectory design for energy harvesting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is studied. In the considered model, the UAV acts as a moving base station to serve the ground users, while collecting energy from the charging stations located at the center of a user group. Meanwhile, to serve ground users and harvest energy, the UAV must be examined and repaired regularly. In consequence, it is necessary to optimize the trajectory design of the UAV while jointly considering the maintenance costs, the number of users that are served by the UAV, and the energy consumption and harvesting. To capture the relationship among these factors, we first model the completion of service and the harvested energy as reward, and the energy consumption during the deployment as cost. Then, the deployment profitability is defined as the reward to the cost of the UAV trajectory. Based on this definition, the trajectory design problem is formulated as an optimization problem whose goal is to maximize the deployment profitability of the UAV. To solve this problem, a foraging algorithm is proposed to find the optimal trajectory so as to maximize the deployment profitability. The proposed algorithm can find the optimal trajectory for the UAV with a polynomial time complexity. Fundamental analysis shows that the proposed algorithm can achieve the maximal deployment profitability. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the operation time and achieve up to 25.6% gain in terms of the deployment profitability compared to Q-learning algorithm.
Market Possibilities and Yields of Muscovy Ducks Dressed at Various Ages

Abstract ONTARIO farmers are showing increased interest in the production of Muscovy ducks for market purposes. However, inquiry of growers concerning growth rate, feed efficiency, dressing percentages and meat yields, yielded little or no information. A search of available literature proved equally fruitless; therefore, a study of these factors as related to Muscovy ducks seemed justified. Because some Muscovy ducks are now reared in confinement, rather than on range as is the more common practice, some comparison of these two methods was also made. PROCEDURE The ducklings used in this study were started for one week in a battery, then moved to the floor and brooded under heat lamps. For the first three weeks all received the same treatment. Chick starter was fed during the first week followed by a commercial niacin-fortified duck starter containing 20 percent protein—both in crumble form. Heavy oats were supplied in a separate hanging feeder …
Joint Subcarrier and Power Allocation in D2D Communications Underlaying Cellular Networks

For the high density of users and accompanying network service requirements in the cellular system, Device-to-Device (D2D) communication is a promising technology to cope with the increasing wireless traffic demands by reusing spectrum resources. In practice, the wireless signal is easy to be eavesdropped in D2D communications underlaying cellular networks, hence, ensuring a secure communication for cellular user equipments (CUEs) is an urgent and meaningful problem. In this paper, we propose a joint subcarrier and power allocation scheme for maximizing the sum data rate of D2D pairs, meanwhile protecting the CUEs against eavesdropping. Specifically, in the proposed scheme, we first quantify the security performance with the secrecy data rate, and obtain the closed-form expression for the optimal power allocation of CUEs and D2D pairs by tightening the quality of service (QoS) and secrecy rate requirement constraints of CUEs. Based on the obtained power allocation solution, by searching the optimal mapping relationship between CUEs and D2D pairs, we develop a subcarrier assignment strategy with the Hungarian algorithm to solve it, which can further enhance the sum data rate of D2D pairs. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can significantly yield better performance than other schemes.
Design of a Piezoelectric Energy Harvester with Elastic Amplification

Vibration energy is a kind of renewable energy which is not affected by climate. Vibration energy harvesting is also one of the common methods to harvest environmental energy, and obtaining energy from walking is a practical and convenient way. In this paper, the traditional simply supported beam structure is improved, and the elastic amplification structure is added at the end of the simply supported beam. A piezoelectric energy harvester with elastic amplification for human energy harvesting is designed. The results show that in a certain range, the spring stiffness and external force have a great influence on the resonance frequency and the output electric energy. At the same time, the length of the piezoelectric beam and the weight of the mass will also affect the output electric energy. When the excitation frequency in the range of 3-4Hz (walking frequency) , the maximum output power of the piezoelectric energy harvester with elastic amplification is about 8.15mW, and the output power per unit volume of the piezoelectric beam is about 6.17 μW/mm3, which is 123% higher than the simply supported beam under the same structure. The experimental results show that the power generated by the piezoelectric energy harvester with elastic amplification is enough to charge low-power products.
Seasonal Changes in Germination Responses of Seeds of the Winter Annual Weed Littleseed Canarygrass (Phalaris minor) to Light

Abstract Photocontrol of weeds requires knowledge about the response of weeds to light and its changes over time. Thus, littleseed canarygrass germination, as an important weed in winter crops, in response to the light environment was evaluated in seeds retrieved from different burial (10, 20, and 40 cm, under irrigated or nonirrigated conditions) or storage (room temperature 25 C and cold 3 C) conditions for 1 yr. Seeds buried in the soil showed a cyclical germination behavior when tested at 20 C, with high germination percentages (68%) occurring in August, October, and December and low percentages (12%) in February and April, with another late germination in June. Germination percentages were mostly higher for seeds incubated in light than in darkness and seeds were more likely to positively respond to light in June than at the other retrieval dates, with differences as great as 60% having been observed under irrigated conditions and at depths of 20 and 40 cm. The most outstanding effect of light as a germination stimulus was observed for seeds stored at room temperature where germination in light was always 20 to 35% higher than that in darkness. The viability of seeds did not change over time in seeds kept at room or cold temperature. However, the proportion of surviving seeds was reduced by 35 to 65% when buried in the soil. Littleseed canarygrass seeds tended to survive more when buried 40 cm deep and the differences between irrigated and nonirrigated conditions were only detectable at 10 cm deep, with higher seed mortalities under irrigated conditions. Information gained in this study would be useful in developing weed control programs for this species. Nomenclature: Littleseed canarygrass, Phalaris minor Retz.