Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeting the CD47-SIRPα Innate Immune Checkpoint to Potentiate Antibody Therapy in Cancer by Neutrophils

Simple Summary Immunotherapy aims to engage various immune cells in the elimination of cancer cells. Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in the circulation and have unique mechanisms by which they can kill cancer cells opsonized by antibodies. However, neutrophil effector functions are limited by the inhibitory receptor SIRPα, when it interacts with CD47. The CD47 protein is expressed on all cells in the body and acts as a ‘don’t eat me’ signal to prevent tissue damage. Cancer cells can express high levels of CD47 to circumvent tumor elimination. Thus, blocking the interaction between CD47 and SIRPα may enhance anti-tumor effects by neutrophils in the presence of tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies. In this review, we discuss CD47-SIRPα as an innate immune checkpoint on neutrophils and explore the preliminary results of clinical trials using CD47-SIRPα blocking agents. Abstract In the past 25 years, a considerable number of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against a variety of tumor-associated antigens (TAA) have become available for the targeted treatment of hematologic and solid cancers. Such antibodies opsonize cancer cells and can trigger cytotoxic responses mediated by Fc-receptor expressing immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although frequently ignored, neutrophils, which are abundantly present in the circulation and many cancers, have demonstrated to constitute bona fide effector cells for antibody-mediated tumor elimination in vivo. It has now also been established that neutrophils exert a unique mechanism of cytotoxicity towards antibody-opsonized tumor cells, known as trogoptosis, which involves Fc-receptor (FcR)-mediated trogocytosis of cancer cell plasma membrane leading to a lytic/necrotic type of cell death. However, neutrophils prominently express the myeloid inhibitory receptor SIRPα, which upon interaction with the ‘don’t eat me’ signal CD47 on cancer cells, limits cytotoxicity, forming a mechanism of resistance towards anti-cancer antibody therapeutics. In fact, tumor cells often overexpress CD47, thereby even more strongly restricting neutrophil-mediated tumor killing. Blocking the CD47-SIRPα interaction may therefore potentiate neutrophil-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) towards cancer cells, and various inhibitors of the CD47-SIRPα axis are now in clinical studies. Here, we review the role of neutrophils in antibody therapy in cancer and their regulation by the CD47-SIRPα innate immune checkpoint. Moreover, initial results of CD47-SIRPα blockade in clinical trials are discussed.
Rapid identification of clinically interesting methanogens using an improved MALDI-TOF-MS assay

Methanogens, the archaea uniquely detoxifying fermentative hydrogen into methane in the digestive tract, are increasingly being detected in pathology situations, rendering their rapid identification mandatory. We improved the experimental protocol to identify broth-cultured methanogens by matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF-MS). A database incorporating 34 reference spectra derived from 16 methanogen reference strains representative of eight species supported further identification of 21 Methanobrevibacter smithii and 14 Methanobrevibacter oralis isolates broth-cultured from human stool and oral fluid, respectively, with scores >2. In addition, MALDI-TOF-MS differentiated five Methanobrevibacter smithii genotypes incorporated in the study. The data reported here found MALDI-TOF-MS as a first-line identification method for methanogens recovered from microbiota and clinical samples.
Pandemics and technology engagement: New evidence from m‐Health intervention during COVID‐19 in India

Abstract Information provision for social welfare via cheap technological media is now a widely available tool used by policymakers. Often, however, an ample supply of information does not translate into high consumption of information due to various frictions in demand, possibly stemming from the pecuniary and non‐pecuniary cost of engagement, along with institutional factors. We test this hypothesis in the Indian context using a unique data set comprising 2 million call records of enrolled users of ARMMAN, a Mumbai‐based nongovernmental organization that sends timely informational calls to mobile phones of less‐privileged pregnant women. The strict lockdown induced by COVID‐19 in India was an unexpected shock on engagement with m‐Health technology, in terms of both reductions in market wages and increased time availability at home. Using a difference‐in‐differences design on unique calls tracked at the user‐time level with fine‐grained time‐stamps on calls, we find that during the lockdown period, the call durations increased by 1.53 percentage points. However, technology engagement behavior exhibited demographic heterogeneity increasing relatively after the lockdown for women who had to borrow the phones vis‐à‐vis phone owners, for those enrolled in direct outreach programs vis‐à‐vis self‐registered women, and for those who belonged to the low‐income group vis‐à‐vis high‐income group. These findings are robust with coarsened exact matching and with a placebo test for a 2017–2018 sample. Our results have policy implications around demand‐side frictions for technology engagement in developing economies and maternal health.
Routing with Improved Communication-Space Trade-Off (Extended Abstract)

Given a weighted undirected network with arbitrary node names, we present a family of routing schemes characterized by an in- tegral parameter κ ≥ 1. The scheme uses � O(n 1/κ log D) space routing table at each node, and routes along paths of linear stretch O(κ), where D is the normalized diameter of the network. When D is polynomial in n, the scheme has asymptotically optimal stretch factor. With the same memory bound, the best previous results obtained stretch O(κ 2 ). Of independent interest, we also construct a single-source name- independent routing scheme for uniform weighted graphs with O(1) stretch and �
A New Robust Filtering Method of GNSS/MINS Integrated System for Land Vehicle Navigation

Combining a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and microelectromechanical technology-based inertial system (MINS) has become essential in land vehicle navigation systems. In an urban environment, the error of position output by GNSS receiver increases because of the blocking and reflection of the signal by buildings, which affects the positioning accuracy of the integrated system. In order to improve the positioning accuracy under these scenarios, this paper proposed a new robust method based on the estimation of the standard deviation of GNSS positioning error. In our study, a method for estimating the standard deviation <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\boldsymbol{\sigma}}^p$</tex-math></inline-formula> (or variance) of the position error of GNSS receiver is firstly proposed. Then a robust filtering method combined multi-factor scaling and bias estimation is proposed based on the estimation of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\boldsymbol{\sigma}}^p$</tex-math></inline-formula>. The simulations and vehicle navigation test show that the proposed method has a robust positioning effect. When <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\boldsymbol{\sigma}}^p$</tex-math></inline-formula> increases, the position accuracy is closed to the Sage-Husa filtering method with boundary constraint (SH-KF). Simulations also indicate that the proposed method has better robust effect than the traditional Kalman filter and SH-KF when a large bias error of position exists.
Emerging Role of Deubiquitinating Enzymes (DUBs) in Melanoma Pathogenesis

Simple Summary Metastatic melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin tumors with a poor prognosis. Despite the efficacy of immunotherapy and targeted therapies, advanced melanoma patients are often refractory to treatments and have high rates of relapse and death. A major challenge is to identify and understand the mechanisms associated with melanoma development and resistance to gold-standard therapies. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed. Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification that plays a crucial role in various cellular biological activities and participates in cancer pathogenesis, including melanoma. Here, we report on the deubiquitination enzymes (DUBs) and their ubiquitin-modified substrates and signaling pathways involved in melanoma progression. Abstract Metastatic melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin cancer. Therapies targeting the BRAF oncogenic pathway and immunotherapies show remarkable clinical efficacy. However, these treatments are limited to subgroups of patients and relapse is common. Overall, the majority of patients require additional treatments, justifying the development of new therapeutic strategies. Non-genetic and genetic alterations are considered to be important drivers of cellular adaptation mechanisms to current therapies and disease relapse. Importantly, modification of the overall proteome in response to non-genetic and genetic events supports major cellular changes that are required for the survival, proliferation, and migration of melanoma cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these adaptive responses remain to be investigated. The major contributor to proteome remodeling involves the ubiquitin pathway, ubiquitinating enzymes, and ubiquitin-specific proteases also known as DeUBiquitinases (DUBs). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the nature and roles of the DUBs recently identified in melanoma progression and therapeutic resistance and discuss their potential as novel sources of vulnerability for melanoma therapy.
A band selecting UHF class-AB GaN power amplifier with 40 dBm output power

A BAND SELECTING UHF CLASS-AB GaN POWER AMPLIFIER WITH 40 dBm OUTPUT POWER Sinan Alemdar M.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Abdullah Atalar July, 2013 Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band is used for GSM communication, satellite systems, television broadcast, frequency hopping radios, software defined radios using advanced digital modulations. Each and every application would require various specifications and these modern applications require various frequency bands. In this work, a band selecting uhf class-ab GaN power amplifier with 40 dBm output power is built using a GaN-HEMT transistors and PIN diodes. The power amplifier can be tuned in 1350MHz–2700MHz one-octave frqeuency band, has a maximum gain of 17dB, and a maximum saturated output power of 41 dBm.
Fuzzy QFD assessment of logistics coherence

Accomplishing purchaser compliance is one of the significant corporate challenges of our time. All products are sold together with the associated logistics service, so it is important that the logistics environment of a company is properly designed in order to meet the objectives of the logistics strategy. In this paper, we present the combined application of Fuzzy system and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) techniques, which are already used effectively in many areas to study sub-processes. Generally, input values are determined as a fuzzy number, in this paper we use fuzzy to evaluate the values. In addition, we have developed a system to examine the compatibility of specific strategic tools and objectives with each other and the usefulness of specific elements for both the customer and the service provider. Using the new approach analysis, we developed a Fuzzy QFD assessment method, we can examine the coherence of logistics processes and technological parameters based on customer needs by comparing different options and alternative solutions. The analysis sheds light on the internal coherence of logistics strategies, thereby clarifying whether the aims that the company has defined can be achieved with the available, planned tools.
Analysis of Colostrum and Udder Skin Swabs from a Dairy Goat Herd in Germany regarding the Occurrence of Mycobacterium avium Subsp. paratuberculosis

Simple Summary The analysis of transmission routes for paratuberculosis as well as their prevention are critical for effective disease control. The aim of the present study was to assess the importance of colostrum and the udder skin as routes for transmission of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) within a dairy goat herd. Swabs of the udder skin and colostrum samples were collected from goats of a paratuberculosis-infected herd during lambing season and analyzed for MAP DNA. Additionally, cultivation of the swabs was performed. MAP could not be detected in the colostrum. A low number of udder skin swabs was positive for MAP DNA but no bacteria could be cultured. Because the detection methods are imperfect, the occurrence of MAP in colostrum or on the udder skin can never be completely excluded. Therefore, present recommendations concerning colostrum and youngstock management should still be re-evaluated, but applied in goat herds within a paratuberculosis control program until the role of colostrum and udder skin for within-herd transmission of MAP is further investigated. Abstract Oral intake of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in first days of life is considered to be the main route of infection for paratuberculosis. This can be related to a direct contact to contaminated feces or feeding of MAP containing colostrum. Colostrum is believed to become contaminated either by lactogenic shedding or introduction of MAP from environmental sources. In this pilot study, the presence of MAP in individual and bulk colostrum samples from a paratuberculosis-infected, vaccinated dairy goat herd in Germany and the effect of udder skin disinfection on the MAP load of colostrum were examined. In order to distinguish between lactogenic shedding and fecal contamination, 49 udder skin swabs were cultivated on solid medium whereas 29 swabs were additionally analyzed by qPCR. qPCR was applied on 110 individual colostrum samples collected from 55 goats, one before and one after disinfection with a mycobactericidal disinfectant, and 14 bulk colostrum samples. MAP DNA was detected in 10.3% (3/29) of the swab samples, but no viable MAP was cultivated from any sample. These results indicate a low-level MAP contamination of the udder skin and colostrum of milking goats suggesting a low risk of MAP transmission via these routes.
The Applications of the Symmetric Layered Medium Green’s Function in Magnetic Field Integral Equation

A symmetry relation of the integral operators in a layered medium proved by the reciprocal theory can be applied to improve the accuracy of the magnetic-field integral equation (MFIE). Based on the symmetric layered medium Green’s function, the normal vector can be transferred into the inner integral to keep the field integral as the inner integral of the elements in the impedance matrix. When discretized by the divergence-conforming function, this field-extracted scheme shows better performance than the classic expression in accuracy. Meanwhile, this form of expression can be applied in the combined-field integral equation (CFIE). Several numerical results are provided to validate the formulation of the symmetry relations from the layered medium Green’s function to the impedance matrices and to reveal its advantages in enhancing the accuracy of the field-extracted form of MFIE.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Provides Novel Insights into the Effect of Lipid Metabolism on Laying of Geese

Simple Summary The importance of lipid metabolism in the egg production of poultry has been widely reported. Meanwhile, geese have lower egg production and unique lipid metabolism patterns compared with chicken and duck. It is of great significance to further improve egg laying performance to explore the differences of fat metabolism and the molecular mechanisms in geese with different egg laying performance. This study compared the phenotypic differences of liver and abdominal fat, as well as the transcriptome level differences of liver, abdominal fat, and ovarian stroma among high-, low-, and no-egg production groups. The results reveal that lipid metabolism regulated by the circadian rhythm of the liver may directly or indirectly affect ovarian function through the inflammation and hormone secretion of abdominal fat. Abstract The lower egg production of geese (20~60 eggs per year) compared with chicken and duck limits the development of the industry, while the yolk weight and fatty liver susceptibility of geese was higher than that of other poultry. Therefore, the relationship between lipid metabolism and the laying performance of geese remains to be explored. Phenotypically, we observed that the liver fat content of the high-, low-, and no-egg production groups decreased in turn, while the abdominal fat weight increased in turn. For transcriptional regulation, the KEGG pathways related to lipid metabolism were enriched in all pairwise comparisons of abdominal fat and liver through functional analysis. However, some KEGG pathways related to inflammation and the circadian rhythm pathway were enriched by DEGs only in abdominal fat and the liver, respectively. The DEGs in ovarian stroma among different groups enriched some KEGG pathways related to ovarian steroidogenesis and cell adhesion. Our research reveals that lipid metabolism regulated by the circadian rhythm of the liver may directly or indirectly affect ovarian function through the inflammation and hormone secretion of abdominal fat. These results offer new insights into the regulation mechanisms of goose reproductive traits.
An experimental study of ultra-low power wireless sensor-based autonomous energy harvesting system

Technological advances for low power consumption and flexible electronics have spurred research on energy harvesting. In this paper, an innovative methodology is proposed to power an ultra-low power wireless sensor node (milliwatt level) autonomously by using a piezoceramic patch which is bonded to a low-frequency vibrating beam. An LTC3588 based energy harvesting module was developed to transfer and collect the energy efficiently. Through a switching interface between the energy harvesting module and the wireless sensor, a 0.33F supercapacitor was charged for 12 h by the harvested vibrational energy to allow the wireless sensor node to join the network and transmit data packets. It was experimentally demonstrated that this applied switching interface could effectively provide on-off control to the power of the wireless sensor node. In order to allow this function, the supercapacitor worked alternatively in the charging mode and the discharging mode. When the supercapacitor stored enough harvested energy,.
Dynamic simulation of nonpenetrating rigid bodies

This thesis examines the problems and difficulties in the forward dynamic simulation of rigid bodies subject to non-penetration constraints. By adopting a simple but well-defined model of rigid body dynamics, we are able to focus on and gain insight into some of the inherent difficulties of rigid body simulation. Additionally, computationally practical solutions to some of the problems encountered in this thesis are presented. Enforcing non-penetration constraints is essentially a two step process. The first step of the simulation involves the detection of potential contacts between bodies. This thesis presents collision detection algorithms for the dynamic simulation of bodies that are composed of both polyhedra and convex closed curved surfaces. The collision detection algorithms exploit temporal coherence to achieve fast running times and are a practical solution to the problem of collision detection during simulation. The second step of the simulation involves the computation of the contact forces between bodies that maintain the non-penetration constraint. This thesis considers first the problem of computing contact forces between a pair of bodies that contact at a point without friction. A mathematical formulation for the contact force between the bodies is presented, and then modified to yield a formulation that is computationally practical for use in a simulator. After considering the dynamics of single point contacts, systems with multiple contacts are considered both in terms of computational complexity measures and practical solution methods. The methods used in this thesis to compute constraint forces are also theoretically and practically compared with a popular method for preventing inter-penetration called the "penalty method". After considering frictionless systems, this thesis considers systems of bodies that behave according to the classical Coulomb model of friction (which includes both sliding and dry friction). This leads us to consider systems in which there are no solutions to the classical constraint force equations, as well as systems which admit multiple solutions for the constraint force equations and whose subsequent behavior is thus indeterminate. Both computational and practical complexity results for simulating such systems are discussed.
Study development and protocol for a cohort study examining the impact of baseline social cognition on response to treatment for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Social cognitive impairments, specifically in facial emotion processing and mental state attribution, are common in post-traumatic stress disorder. However few studies so far have examined whether social cognitive ability impacts on PTSD recovery. Objective: To examine whether baseline social cognitive abilities are associated with treatment outcomes following trauma-focused therapy for PTSD. Method: This is a cohort study that will relate treatment outcomes post-discharge to baseline measures of social cognition (five tasks: Emotion Odd-One-Out Task (Oddity), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task (RMET), Social Shapes Test (SST), Spontaneous Theory of Mind Protocol (STOMP), and Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8)) in people starting a course of psychological therapy for PTSD (target N = 60). The primary outcome will be pre- to post-treatment change in PTSD symptom severity (assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5). Secondary outcomes include functional impairment (assessed using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale), drop-out rate, and analyses differentiating participants with DSM-5 PTSD and ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD. Regression models will be used to examine associations between baseline social cognitive performance and outcome measures while adjusting for potential confounders. Two pilot studies informed the development of our study protocol. The first involved qualitative analysis of interviews with nine participants with lived experience of mental health problems to inform our research questions and study protocol. The second involved trialling social cognitive tasks on 20 non-clinical participants to refine our test battery. Discussion: This study will address a gap in the literature about whether abilities in social cognition in people living with PTSD are associated with treatment-related recovery. HIGHLIGHTS Impairments in social cognition are recognised in people with PTSD. Few studies have examined whether social cognitive ability is associated with recovery from PTSD. We present a study protocol, developed after pilot testing, to address this question.