Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distinct, IgG1-driven antibody response landscapes demarcate individuals with broadly HIV-1 neutralizing activity

Understanding pathways that promote HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) induction is crucial to advance bnAb-based vaccines. We recently demarcated host, viral, and disease parameters associated with bnAb development in a large HIV-1 cohort screen. By establishing comprehensive antibody signatures based on IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 activity to 13 HIV-1 antigens in 4,281 individuals in the same cohort, we now show that the same four parameters that are significantly linked with neutralization breadth, namely viral load, infection length, viral diversity, and ethnicity, also strongly influence HIV-1–binding antibody responses. However, the effects proved selective, shaping binding antibody responses in an antigen and IgG subclass–dependent manner. IgG response landscapes in bnAb inducers indicated a differentially regulated, IgG1-driven HIV-1 antigen response, and IgG1 binding of the BG505 SOSIP trimer proved the best predictor of HIV-1 neutralization breadth in plasma. Our findings emphasize the need to unravel immune modulators that underlie the differentially regulated IgG response in bnAb inducers to guide vaccine development.
The production of word stress in babbles and early words: A comparison between normally hearing infants and infants with cochlear implants

There is evidence that infants are able to manipulate cues to word stress as early as babbles. For children with cochlear implants (CI), word stress production may pose difficulties since the CI does not provide enough detail for adequate perception of f0 or intensity changes. This study is a longitudinal investigation of pitch, intensity and duration in disyllabic babbles and first words by normally hearing (NH) and children with CI. Both groups had smaller acoustic differences on babbles than on words, and children with CI made smaller differences in pitch and intensity than the NH group . A marked inc rease i n acous t i c differentiation was seen in the NH group on words, especially for pitch. Although there was a trend in the same direction in the CI group, the same shift was not observed in their lexical productions. Implications for language processing in this population and theories of language acquisition are considered.
Matching of police and hospital road crash casualty records – a data-linkage study in Malaysia

ABSTRACT Underreporting of road crashes hampers the development of appropriate road safety countermeasures in many countries. In this study, police and hospital records from road crash casualties in the Melaka Tengah district in Malaysia from 2014 were collected to determine their matching and reporting rates. Based on authentic personal identifiers from both types of records, Microsoft SQL was used to reveal how the matching rate varies due to multiple factors. The results showed that 311 cases (of 7625 hospital records) could be linked to both databases, yielding a 4.1% matching rate and a 4.7% police reporting rate. Both the reporting and matching rates increased with the level of injury severity. The significant underreporting in the police database showed that complementary data are necessary for enhancing the current official crash data records.
Change in weight and central obesity by positive airway pressure treatment in obstructive sleep apnea patients: longitudinal data from the ESADA cohort

The effect of positive airway pressure treatment on weight and markers of central obesity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea remains unclear. We studied the change in body weight and anthropometric measures following positive airway pressure treatment in a large clinical cohort. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea with positive airway pressure treatment from the European Sleep Apnea Database registry (n = 1,415, 77% male, age 54 ± 11 [mean ± SD] years, body mass index 31.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2, apnea–hypopnea index 37 ± 24 n per hr, Epworth Sleepiness Scale 10.2 ± 5.0) were selected. Changes in body mass index and neck/waist/hip circumferences at baseline and at follow‐up visit were analysed. Overall, body mass index (0.0 [95% confidence interval, −0.1 to 0.2] kg/m2) and neck circumference (0.0 (95% confidence interval, −0.1 to 0.1] cm) were unchanged after positive airway pressure treatment compared with baseline (follow‐up duration 1.1 ± 1.0 years and compliance 5.2 ± 2.1 hr per day). However, in non‐obese (body mass index <30 kg/m2) patients, positive airway pressure treatment was associated with an increased body mass index and waist circumference (0.4 [0.3–0.5] kg/m2 and 0.8 [0.4–1.2] cm, respectively, all p < 0.05), and weight gain was significantly associated with higher positive airway pressure compliance and longer positive airway pressure treatment duration. In the obese subgroup, body mass index was reduced after positive airway pressure treatment (−0.3 [−0.5 to −0.1] kg/m2, p < 0.05) mainly in patients with a strong reduction in Epworth Sleepiness Scale. In conclusion, positive airway pressure therapy was not found to systematically change body mass index in the European Sleep Apnea Database cohort, but the response was heterogeneous. Our findings suggest that weight gain may be restricted to an obstructive sleep apnea phenotype without established obesity. Lifestyle intervention needs to be considered in both lean and obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea receiving positive airway pressure treatment.
A Novel Optimization Technique for Mastering Energy Consumption in Cloud Data Center

Cloud computing is one of the most popular technologies nowadays because of its wide utilities and various benefits in several IT companies all over the world. However, in front of the increasing users' requests for computing services, cloud providers are encouraged to deploy large data centers, which consumes very large amount of energy and contribute to,,,, high operational costs. Among the effects, carbon dioxide emission rate is growing each day due to the huge amount of power consumption. This energy efficiency is an important issue in cloud computing, mainly due to the required electrical power to run these systems and to cool them. Therefore, energy consumption has become a major concern for the widespread deployment of Cloud data centers. The growing importance for parallel applications in the Cloud introduces significant challenges in,,,, reducing energy consumption from hosted servers. This paper addresses the problem of placing independent applications on the physical servers (hosts) of a Cloud infrastructure. We proposed a novel heuristic to allocate applications so that total energy consumption is reduced. Our proposal respects various constraints e.g. the machines availability, capability and the duplication of applications. Experiments are illustrated to validate the potential of our approach.
Self-assessment in PBL: A tool to develop self-confidence and autonomy of students: The example of self-assessment experiment at ISMEP-Supmeca in France

Problem- and project-based learning approaches place the students at the center of the learning processes and give the opportunity to make the students active and involved. It also prepares the students for their future professional life by placing them in real situations with different stakeholders. The assessments implemented during problem and project phases allow to evaluate the acquisition of disciplinary skills and competences. This kind of teaching and learning also provides the opportunity to develop specific project skills giving more autonomy and agility to the students in complex problem solving. Knowing their level of acquisition of these skills is a key point for the students, making them more confident in face of the problems they have to solve. All these aspects have been widely experienced and are well documented. ISMEP-Supmeca, a French public engineering school, has chosen since decades to engage in problem-and project-based learning. Progressively, this approach developed through various axis, including educational research projects (IDEFI PLACIS, Erasmus+ strategic partnerships EPICES and EBCC). There are now three offers of this kind at ISMEP-Supmeca: one problem-based learning module for first year students, and two project-based learning modules for second and last year students. Moreover, a self-assessment process has been implemented in order to enable the students to self-assess their project mode skills. Students realize one self-assessment at the beginning of the module and one at the end. In the first one, they evaluate their skills before working with others and receiving feedback, whereas in the second one, their assessment results from the experience gained during the module. This paper presents the first results and the perspectives of this self-assessment experiment, which will continue to be developed.
Implementing Usability Testing in Introductory Technical Communication Service Courses: Results and Lessons From a Local Study

<bold>Introduction:</bold> <italic>This case study examines students’ and instructors’ experiences with usability testing in technical communication service courses. </italic> <bold>Research questions:</bold> <italic>1. What prior experience do students and instructors have with usability testing? 2. What are their challenges with implementing usability testing in technical communication courses? 3. What are their recommendations for improving their efforts? </italic> <bold>About the case:</bold> <italic>This study was conducted in 2012 at a small Midwestern university where students and instructors in four sections of technical communication service courses participated in the study. </italic> <bold>Situating the case:</bold> <italic>Most technical communication scholarship focuses on usability practices, methods, or tools, and rarely explicitly addresses its pedagogy, especially the practical challenges faced by our students and instructors</italic>. <bold>Methods/approach:</bold> <italic>Data were gathered through preliminary and post-project student surveys and instructor interviews. Thematic coding was used to analyze the data</italic>. <bold>Results/discussion:</bold> <italic>Students faced the usual practical challenges such as time and resource constraints and collaboration with users. They found strategies such as using in-class activities, readings, and examples, and working directly with users to be helpful in their usability efforts. Instructors expressed the need for better preparation. </italic> <bold>Conclusions:</bold> <italic>Instructors should not only be required to take a usability course that will prepare them to be more effective usability instructors, but they should also incorporate readings and examples that will help students collaborate effectively with users and clients. The study is limited to research participants at one institution. Future research should involve larger, ethnographic studies of diverse students and instructors to address more aspects of usability pedagogy. </italic>
Mouse quiescin sulfhydryl oxidases exhibit distinct epididymal luminal distribution with segment-specific sperm surface associations†

Abstract Sulfhydryl oxidation is part of the sperm maturation process essential for the acquisition of sperm fertilization competency and its structural stabilization; however, the specific sulfhydryl oxidases that fulfill these roles have yet to be identified. In this study, we investigate the potential involvement of one atypical thiol oxidase family called quiescin Q6/sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) using the mouse epididymis as our model system. With multidisciplinary approaches, we show that QSOX isoform 1 and 2 exhibit complementary distribution throughout the epididymal duct, but that each variant possesses distinct subcellular localization within the epididymal principal cells. While QSOX2 was exclusively present in the Golgi apparatus of the caput and corpus epididymis, QSOX1c, the most profusely express QSOX1 variant, was abundantly present in the cauda luminal fluids. Moreover, immunohistochemistry studies together with proteomic identification in isolated epididymosomes provided evidence substantiating the release of QSOX2, but not QSOX1c, via an apocrine secretory pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time, distinct association of QSOX1c and QSOX2 with the sperm acrosome and implantation fossa, during different stages of their epididymal maturation. In conclusion, our study provides the first comprehensive comparisons between QSOX1 and QSOX2 in the mouse epididymis, revealing their distinct epididymal distribution, cellular localization, mechanisms of secretion and sperm membrane association. Together, these data suggest that QSOX1 and QSOX2 have discrete biological functions in male germ cell development. Summary Sentence Mouse epididymal sulfhydryl oxidases exhibit complementary tissue distribution with disparate cellular localization, the distinct secretory mechanism and sperm membrane association suggesting their participation in different sperm maturation processes.
The Claudin Family Protein FigA Mediates Ca2+ Homeostasis in Response to Extracellular Stimuli in Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus

The claudin family protein Fig1 is a unique fungal protein that is involved in pheromone-induced calcium influx and membrane fusion during the mating of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Whether and how Fig1 regulates Ca2+ homeostasis in response to extracellular stimuli is poorly understood. Previously, we found Aspergillus nidulans FigA, a homolog of Fig1 in S. cerevisiae, similar to the high-affinity calcium uptake system, is required for normal growth under low-Ca2+ minimal medium. In this study, using the calcium-sensitive photoprotein aequorin to monitor cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) in living cells, we found that the FigA dysfunction decreases the transient [Ca2+]c induced by a high extracellular calcium stress. Furthermore, FigA acts synergistically with CchA (a high-affinity Ca2+ channel) to coordinate cytoplasmic Ca2+ influx in response to an extracellular Ca2+ stimulus. Moreover, FigA mediates ER stress-induced transient [Ca2+]c in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium. Most importantly, these [Ca2+]c responses mediated by FigA are closely related to its conserved claudin superfamily motif, which is also required for hyphal growth and asexual development in A. nidulans. Finally, the function of FigA in Aspergillus fumigatus, the most common airborne human fungal pathogen was studied. The result showed that the two FigA homologous in A. nidulans and A. fumigatus have a large degree of functional homology not only in asexual development but also in regulating transient [Ca2+]c. Our study expands the knowledge of claudin family protein FigA in Ca2+ homeostasis in response to extracellular stimuli.
Manipulation of Innate and Adaptive Immunity by Staphylococcal Superantigens

Staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) constitute a family of potent exotoxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and other select staphylococcal species. SAgs function to cross-link major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules with T cell receptors (TCRs) to stimulate the uncontrolled activation of T lymphocytes, potentially leading to severe human illnesses such as toxic shock syndrome. The ubiquity of SAgs in clinical S. aureus isolates suggests that they likely make an important contribution to the evolutionary fitness of S. aureus. Although the apparent redundancy of SAgs in S. aureus has not been explained, the high level of sequence diversity within this toxin family may allow for SAgs to recognize an assorted range of TCR and MHC class II molecules, as well as aid in the avoidance of humoral immunity. Herein, we outline the major diseases associated with the staphylococcal SAgs and how a dysregulated immune system may contribute to pathology. We then highlight recent research that considers the importance of SAgs in the pathogenesis of S. aureus infections, demonstrating that SAgs are more than simply an immunological diversion. We suggest that SAgs can act as targeted modulators that drive the immune response away from an effective response, and thus aid in S. aureus persistence.
Drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) differ in contents of endogenous brassinosteroids and their drought-induced changes

The contents of endogenous brassinosteroids (BRs) together with various aspects of plant morphology, water management, photosynthesis and protection against cell damage were assessed in two maize genotypes that differed in their drought sensitivity. The presence of 28-norbrassinolide in rather high quantities (1–2 pg mg-1 fresh mass) in the leaves of monocot plants is reported for the first time. The intraspecific variability in the presence/content of the individual BRs in drought-stressed plants is also described for the first time. The drought-resistant genotype was characterised by a significantly higher content of total endogenous BRs (particularly typhasterol and 28-norbrassinolide) compared with the drought-sensitive genotype. On the other hand, the drought-sensitive genotype showed higher levels of 28-norcastasterone. Both genotypes also differed in the drought-induced reduction/elevation of the levels of 28-norbrassinolide, 28-norcastasterone, 28-homocastasterone and 28-homodolichosterone. The differences observed between both genotypes in the endogenous BR content are probably correlated with their different degrees of drought sensitivity, which was demonstrated at various levels of plant morphology, physiology and biochemistry.
Dietary heavy metal exposure of Finnish children of 3 to 6 years

ABSTRACT The dietary exposure of Finnish 3-year-old and 6-year-old children to cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury was determined using concentration data from Finland and individual food consumption data as well as individual weights of the children. Using middle bound estimates, 88% of the 3-year-olds and 64% of the 6-year-olds exceeded the tolerable weekly intake of cadmium. The benchmark dose for neurological damage caused by lead was exceeded by 14% and 1%, while the lowest benchmark dose of inorganic arsenic was exceeded by 43% and 29% for the 3-year-olds and 6-year-olds, respectively. The exposure of both age groups was below the tolerable weekly intake for inorganic mercury and methyl mercury. Although high, the exposures calculated with predominantly national concentration data were lower than previously estimated by EFSA, due to, for example, lower average concentrations in some much-consumed foods. The heavy metal exposure levels of the girls and the boys were also compared. Exposure to cadmium and lead was significantly higher for the boys than for the girls in both age groups, and exposure to inorganic arsenic was significantly higher for the 6-year-old boys than the girls of same age. Graphical Abstract
UniMa at SemEval-2018 Task 7: Semantic Relation Extraction and Classification from Scientific Publications

Large repositories of scientific literature call for the development of robust methods to extract information from scholarly papers. This problem is addressed by the SemEval 2018 Task 7 on extracting and classifying relations found within scientific publications. In this paper, we present a feature-based and a deep learning-based approach to the task and discuss the results of the system runs that we submitted for evaluation.
Comparative Analyses of MIRT Models and Software (BMIRT and flexMIRT)

Application of MIRT modeling procedures is dependent on the quality of parameter estimates provided by the estimation software and techniques used. This study investigated model parameter recovery of two popular MIRT packages, BMIRT and flexMIRT, under some common measurement conditions. These packages were specifically selected to investigate the model parameter recovery of three item parameter estimation techniques, namely, Bock–Aitkin EM (BA-EM), Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), and Metropolis–Hastings Robbins–Monro (MH-RM) algorithms. The results demonstrated that all estimation techniques had similar root mean square error values when larger sample size and higher test length were used. Depending on the number of dimensions, sample size, and test length, each estimation technique exhibited some strengths and weaknesses. Overall, the BA-EM technique was found to have shorter estimation time with all test specifications.
Experimental Investigation of Iterative Pseudoinverse Ghost Imaging

An iterative pseudoinverse ghost imaging (IPGI) method is proposed based on iterative denoising and pseudoinverse ghost imaging (PGI). The background noise in the imaging is eliminated in iterations by setting an appropriate threshold. The IPGI method provides a significantly larger enhancement of the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) than the PGI technique for binary objects. Experiments and data analyses are performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Compared with conventional GI, differential GI, and PGI methods, the proposed method has the highest performance in visual effects and significantly improves the imaging quality. For a certain PSNR, the proposed method provides satisfactory performance in terms of computing time.
Phase II study on early start of chemotherapy after excising primary colorectal cancer with distant metastases (Pearl Star 02)

Initiating chemotherapy usually requires a delay of more than 4 weeks after surgically resecting colorectal cancer. However, there is little evidence regarding the required delay interval. We have previously reported a pilot study to determine the safety and feasibility of early initiation of chemotherapy after resecting primary colorectal cancer with distant metastases. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of early initiation of chemotherapy after resecting colorectal cancer with distant metastases.
Thermoadaptive Supramolecular α-Cyclodextrin Crystallization-Based Hydrogels via Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymer Templating

Supramolecular hydrogels play a prominent role in contemporary research of hydrophilic polymers. Especially, hydrogels based on α-cyclodextrin/poly(ethylene glycol) (α-CD/PEG) complexation and crystal formation are studied frequently. Here, the effect of double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs) on α-CD/PEG hydrogel properties is investigated. Therefore, a novel DHBC, namely poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-b-poly(oligo ethylene glycol methacrylate) (PVP-b-POEGMA), was synthesized via a combination of reversible deactivation radical polymerization and modular conjugation methods. In the next step, hydrogel formation was studied after α-CD addition. Interestingly, DHBC-based hydrogels showed a significant response to thermal history. Heating of the gels to different temperatures led to different mechanical properties after cooling to ambient temperature, i.e., gels with mechanical properties similar to the initial gels or weak flowing gels were obtained. Thus, the hydrogels showed thermoadaptive behavior, which might be an interesting property for future applications in sensing.