Abstract: A plug connector for interlocking with a mating plug connector along an insertion direction. The plug connector includes: a plug connector housing configured to accommodate at least one contact element; a lever assembly swivelable between a first position and a second position; a cover; and a CPA including at least one blocking element. In the second position, the lever assembly is releasably latched to a latching structure. The CPA is situated at the cover, and is displaceable between an unblocking position and a blocking position along a displacement direction. The CPA includes a blocking element which in the blocking position of the CPA prevents a displacement of the latching structure for releasing the latch between the lever assembly and the latching structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, information passing mechanism between the two connected optical transceivers is provided. Within the first optical transceiver, Rx 1 calculates the current condition of the uplink channel and passes this information together with the condition of the downlink channel that it receives from Tx 2 to Tx 1. The Tx 1 uses the downlink channel condition that it receives from the Rx 1 to generate signal with appropriate modulation format, shaping factor, baudrate and coding scheme for maximizing the downlink's capacity. The Tx 1 then transmits this information together with the uplink channel condition received from Rx 1 to Rx 2. The Rx 2 uses the information about the modulation format, baudrate, shaping factor and coding scheme that it receives from Tx 1 for the reception of information-bearing signal. The Rx 2 then calculates the transmission channel condition of the downlink channel and passes this information together with the uplink channel condition that it receives from Tx 1 to Tx 2.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an intensity modulated (IM) direct detection (DD) optical receiver using a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) for flexible chromatic dispersion compensation (CDC) is provided. The PIC comprises an 1:N optical splitter to split an input optical signal into N copies; an array of N semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) to receive the N optical outputs from the optical splitter; an array of optical delay lines to receive the outputs from the N SOAs, wherein the delay coefficients for the array of optical delay lines are {0, T, 2T, . . . (N?1) T}, where T=½B, where B is the system symbol rate, and each optical path with odd index (1, 3, 5, . . . N?1) from the N optical paths includes a 90-degree phase-shifter; and an optical N:1 coupler to re-combine all N optical paths. A method for automatically controlling a PIC based on the feedback signal from the Rx DSP in an optical receiver is also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an intensity modulated (IM) direct detection (DD) optical receiver using a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) for flexible chromatic dispersion compensation (CDC) is provided. The PIC comprises an 1:N optical splitter to split an input optical signal into N copies; an array of N semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) to receive the N optical outputs from the optical splitter; an array of optical delay lines to receive the outputs from the N SOAs, wherein the delay coefficients for the array of optical delay lines are {0, T, 2T, . . . (N-1) T}, where T =1/2B, where B is the system symbol rate, and each optical path with odd index (1, 3, 5, . . .N-1) from the N optical paths includes a 90-degree phase-shifter; and an optical N:1 coupler to re- combine all N optical paths. A method for automatically controlling a PIC based on the feedback signal from the Rx DSP in an optical receiver is also provided.

Abstract: A reversibly gated effector polypeptide e.g. a chimeric antigen receptor (protease-activating CD45-gate CAR) comprising an extracellular CD45 recruiting domain, a protease-cleavable linker, and a polypeptide comprising an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain. Nucleic acids including vectors and expression vectors that encode the protease-activating CD45-gate CAR and cells including immune cells such as T cells that comprise and express the nucleic acids. Methods of treatment of various conditions including various forms of cancer comprising administering the cells including CAR T cell therapy. In some embodiments, the CD45 gate at least partially inhibits activation of the protease-activating CD45-gate CAR when the protease-activating CD45-gate CAR binds antigen. The inhibition is at least partially diminished, relieved and/or eliminated when the protease-activating CD45-gate CAR is exposed to a protease that can cleave the linker.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating raw produce without introducing excess heat to the produce, including a first chamber for holding warm, moist air, a second chamber connected in fluidic communication with the first chamber for cooling and drying warm, moist air received from the first chamber, and a filter operationally connected between the first and second chambers for removing suspended particulates from warm, moist air flowing therethrough with a drain operationally connected to the second chamber for removing water therefrom. A third chamber is connected in fluidic communication with the second chamber for receiving cool, dry air therefrom and for receiving raw produce for drying, and a wind current generator operationally connected to the second chamber to urge cool, dry air therefrom and into the third chamber.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating raw produce without introducing excess heat to the produce, including a first chamber for holding warm, moist air, a second chamber connected in fluidic communication with the first chamber for cooling and drying warm, moist air received from the first chamber, and a filter operationally connected between the first and second chambers for removing suspended particulates from warm, moist air flowing therethrough with a drain operationally connected to the second chamber for removing water therefrom. A third chamber is connected in fluidic communication with the second chamber for receiving cool, dry air therefrom and for receiving raw produce for drying, and a wind current generator operationally connected to the second chamber to urge cool, dry air therefrom and into the third chamber.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating raw produce without introducing excess heat to the produce, including a first chamber for holding warm, moist air, a second chamber connected in fluidic communication with the first chamber for cooling and drying warm, moist air received from the first chamber, and a filter operationally connected between the first and second chambers for removing suspended particulates from warm, moist air flowing therethrough with a drain operationally connected to the second chamber for removing water therefrom. A third chamber is connected in fluidic communication with the second chamber for receiving cool, dry air therefrom and for receiving raw produce for drying, and a wind current generator operationally connected to the second chamber to urge cool, dry air therefrom and into the third chamber.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating raw produce without introducing excess heat to the produce, including a first chamber for holding warm, moist air, a second chamber connected in fluidic communication with the first chamber for cooling and drying warm, moist air received from the first chamber, and a filter operationally connected between the first and second chambers for removing suspended particulates from warm, moist air flowing therethrough with a drain operationally connected to the second chamber for removing water therefrom. A third chamber is connected in fluidic communication with the second chamber for receiving cool, dry air therefrom and for receiving raw produce for drying, and a wind current generator operationally connected to the second chamber to urge cool, dry air therefrom and into the third chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a response of a mammalian subject having melanoma tumor cells to treatment with a melanoma inhibitory agent. In one aspect, the method comprises (a) determining a first concentration of melanoma inhibitory activity protein (MIA) in a first biological sample taken from the mammalian subject before treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent; (b) determining a second concentration of MIA in a second biological sample from the mammalian subject taken after treatment with the melanoma, inhibitory agent; and (c) comparing the first and second concentrations of MIA, wherein a decrease in the second concentration of MIA measured in the second biological sample as compared to the first concentration of MIA measured in the first biological sample indicates a positive response to the treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a response of a mammalian subject having melanoma tumor cells to treatment with a melanoma inhibitory agent. In one aspect, the method comprises (a) determining a first concentration of melanoma inhibitory activity protein (MIA) in a first biological sample taken from the mammalian subject before treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent; (b) determining a second concentration of MIA in a second biological sample from the mammalian subject taken after treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent; and (c) comparing the first and second concentrations of MIA, wherein a decrease in the second concentration of MIA measured in the second biological sample as compared to the first concentration of MIA measured in the first biological sample indicates a positive response to the treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a response of a mammalian subject having melanoma tumor cells to treatment with a melanoma inhibitory agent. In one aspect, the method comprises (a) determining a first concentration of melanoma inhibitory activity protein (MIA) in a first biological sample taken from the mammalian subject before treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent; (b) determining a second concentration of MIA in a second biological sample from the mammalian subject taken after treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent; and (c) comparing the first and second concentrations of MIA, wherein a decrease in the second concentration of MIA measured in the second biological sample as compared to the first concentration of MIA measured in the first biological sample indicates a positive response to the treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent.

Abstract: A method and an electronic circuit for measuring very weak signals at high voltage. The electronic circuit consists of a first portion (I) constituted by at least one amplifier (2) which is DC-connected directly to a source of weak signals. This amplifier is followed by at least one current amplifier (5). A second portion of the circuit (II) then transfers the amplified current signal from high potential to the ground potential of measuring apparatus by a series of transistors (12 to 14) followed by an output amplifier (22). An optional third portion (III) may be provided to sample the signal by an analog gate (25) suitably controlled from an external frequency source. This makes it possible in spectrometry to perform fast and accurate measurements on very weak signals at high potential.

Abstract: The amplifier comprises at least two amplifier units or transistors T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 of complementary types. The base of the first transistor T.sub.1 is connected to a control current supply line. The emitter of the transistor T.sub.1 is connected on the one hand to one end of the load impedance and on the other hand to the base of the second transistor T.sub.2. The collector of the transistor T.sub.1 is connected to a voltage supply of suitable polarity. The emitter of the transistor T.sub.2 is connected to the current supply line and the collector of said transistor is connected to another end of the load impedance.