julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Human-machine-communication: introduction to the special issue
2022-11-01

The natural point of departure for an editorial of a special issue on Human-Machine Communication (HMC) is the question of what HMC is.Addressing this question is not an easy task, as it is inherently linked to the more fundamental and general question of what communication is.The definition of communication, in turn, shapes the identity of an entire scholarly field and is thus subject to a vibrant and continuous debate.We do not aim at intensifying or complicating this debate but rather at providing an operational definition of HMC, which is merely supposed to serve as a framework for the special issue. Definition of human-machine communicationIn our view, communication can be regarded as the process of at least two entities "sharing" (Schramm 1954) something, suggesting an act of "bringing together" (Cobley 2008).These entities, in our context, are humans on the one hand, and machines or "digital interlocutors" (Edwards and Edwards 2017, p. 487) on the other hand.What they share is widely conceived of as messages or compilations of symbols.These messages are encoded, decoded and interpreted (cf.
Modeling disks and magnetic outflows around a forming massive star
2022-11-01

Context. Forming massive stars launch outflows of magnetic origin, which in fact serve as a marker for finding sites of massive star formation. However, both the theoretical and observational study of the mechanisms that intervene in the formation and propagation of such magnetically driven outflows has been possible only until recent years. Aims. With this work, we aim to study the mechanisms that drive highly collimated outflows from early stages of the formation of a massive star, in detail, and how those processes are impacted by the properties of the natal environment of the forming massive star. Methods. We performed a series of 31 simulations with the aim of building a unified theoretical picture of these mechanisms, and determined how the impact of different environments alter their morphology and momentum output. The magnetohydrodynamical simulations also consider Ohmic dissipation as a nonideal effect, self-gravity, and diffusive radiation transport for thermal absorption and emission by the dust and gas. We started from a collapsing cloud core that is threaded by an initially uniform magnetic field and which is slowly rotating. We utilized a two-dimensional axisymmetric grid in spherical coordinates. Results. In the simulations, we can clearly distinguish a fast, magneto-centrifugally launched and collimated jet (of speeds ≳100 km s −1 ), from a wider magnetic tower flow driven by magnetic pressure which broadens in time. We analyze the acceleration of the flow, in detail, and its recollimation by magnetic forces happening at distances of several hundreds of astronomical units. We quantify the impact of magnetic braking in the outflows, which narrows the outflow cavity for the late evolution of the system. We find that despite the nonscalability of self-gravity and the thermodynamics of the medium, our results scale with the mass of the cloud core and can, in principle, be used with a range of values for such mass. We observe the presence of the same jet-driving mechanisms for a wide range of assumptions on the natal environment of the massive protostar, but with changes to their morphology and mechanical feedback into larger scales over time.
Radial velocity survey for planets around young stars (RVSPY)
2022-11-01

Aims. We aim to detect planetary companions to young stars with debris disks via the radial velocity method. Methods. We observed HD 114082 during April 2018–August 2022 as one of the targets of our RVSPY program (Radial Velocity Survey for Planets around Young stars). We use the FEROS spectrograph, mounted to the MPG/ESO 2.2 m telescope in Chile, to obtain high signal-to-noise spectra and time series of precise radial velocities (RVs). Additionally, we analyze archival HARPS spectra and TESS photometric data. We use the CERES, CERES++ and SERVAL pipelines to derive RVs and activity indicators and ExoStriker for the independent and combined analysis of the RVs and TESS photometry. Results. We report the discovery of a warm super-Jovian companion around HD 114082 based on a 109.8±0.4 day signal in the combined RV data from FEROS and HARPS, and on one transit event in the TESS photometry. The best-fit model indicates a 8.0±1.0 M Jup companion with a radius of 1.00±0.03 R Jup in an orbit with a semi-major axis of 0.51±0.01 au and an eccentricity of 0.4±0.04. The companions orbit is in agreement with the known near edge-on debris disk located at ∼28 au. HD 114082 b is possibly the youngest (15±6 Myr), and one of only three young (&lt; 100 Myr) giant planetary companions for which both their mass and radius have been determined observationally. It is probably the first properly model-constraining giant planet that allows distinguishing between hot and cold-start models. It is significantly more compatible with the cold-start model.
Tracking the distribution, genetic diversity and lineage of Brucella melitensis recovered from humans and animals in Egypt based on core‐genome SNP analysis and in silico MLVA‐16
2022-11-01

Brucellosis is one of the most common neglected zoonotic diseases globally, with a public health significance and a high economic loss in the livestock industry caused by the bacteria of the genus Brucella. In this study, 136 Egyptian Brucella melitensis strains isolated from animals and humans between 2001 and 2020 were analysed by examining the whole-core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) in comparison to the in silico multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-16). Almost all Egyptian isolates were belonging to the West Mediterranean clade, except two isolates from buffalo and camel were belonging to the American and East Mediterranean clades, respectively. A significant correlation between the human case of brucellosis and the possible source of infection from animals was found. It seems that several outbreak strains already existing for many years have been spread over long distances and between many governorates. The cgSNP analysis, in combination with epidemiological metadata, allows a better differentiation than the MLVA-16 genotyping method and, hence, the source definition and tracking of outbreak strains. The MLVA based on the currently used 16 markers is not suitable for this task. Our results revealed 99 different cgSNP genotypes with many different outbreak strains, both older and widely distributed ones and rather newly introduced ones as well. This indicates several different incidents and sources of infections, probably by imported animals from other countries to Egypt. Comparing our panel of isolates to public databases by cgSNP analysis, the results revealed near relatives from Italy. Moreover, near relatives from the United States, France, Austria and India were found by in silico MLVA.
Livestock management promotes bush encroachment in savanna systems by altering plant–herbivore feedback
2022-11-01

Savannas are characterized by the coexistence of two contrasting plant life‐forms: woody and herbaceous vegetation. During the last decades, there has been a global trend of an increase in woody cover and the spread of shrubs and trees into areas that were previously dominated by grasses. This process, termed bush encroachment, is associated with severe losses of ecosystem functions and typically difficult to reverse. It is assumed to be an example of a critical transition between two alternative stable states. Overgrazing due to unsustainable rangeland management has been identified as one of the main causes of this transition, as it can trigger several self‐reinforcing feedback loops. However, the dynamic role of grazing within such feedback loops has received less attention. We used a set of coupled differential equations to describe the competition between shrubs and grasses, as well as plant biomass consumption via grazing and browsing. Grazers were assumed to receive a certain level of care from farmers, so that grazer densities emerge dynamically from the combined effect of vegetation abundance and farmer support. We quantified all self‐reinforcing and self‐dampening feedback loops at play and analyzed their relative importance in shaping system (in‐)stability. Bistability, the presence of a grass dominated and a shrub dominated state, emerges for intermediate levels of farmer support due to positive feedback that arises from competition between shrubs and grasses and from herbivory. We furthermore demonstrate that disturbances, such as drought events, trigger abrupt transitions from the grass dominated to the shrub dominated state and that the system becomes more susceptible to disturbances with increasing farmer support. Our results thus highlight the potential of interaction networks in combinations with feedback loop analysis for improving our understanding of critical transitions in general, and bush encroachment in particular.
(Re)shaping Amazon labour struggles on both sides of the Atlantic: the power dynamics in Germany and the US amidst the pandemic
2022-11-01

With the initial context of COVID-19 fuelling Amazon’s exponential growth, this article investigates how the pandemic (re)defined labour struggles, i.e., cultivating labour’s structural, associational and institutional powers in two case study countries, Germany and the US. By analysing these power resources in its two largest markets, I argue that Amazon’s structural conditions by which it organises its warehouse labour, which predate the pandemic, have continued to act as obstacles to collective labour action. While in Germany, ver.di continues to mobilise its workplace power but has been unable to get Amazon to sign a collective agreement, the pandemic triggered unprecedented workplace mobilisations and the pursuit of associational power in the US, albeit with varying outcomes. Despite their different industrial relations systems and labour struggles, these two cases highlight the key role of shop-floor organising to put pressure on Amazon, while Amazon’s continued rejection of unions as negotiating partners further underlines the importance of regulating Amazon’s union-busting tactics.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Object Detection Pipeline on UAVs
2022-11-01

An object detection pipeline comprises a camera that captures the scene and an object detector that processes these images. The quality of the images directly affects the performance of the object detector. Current works focus on independently improving the image quality or object detection models but neglect the importance of joint optimization of the two subsystems. This paper aims to tune the detection throughput and accuracy of existing object detectors in the remote sensing scenario by optimizing the input images tailored to the object detector. We empirically analyze the influence of two selected camera calibration parameters (camera distortion correction and gamma correction) and five image parameters (quantization, compression, resolution, color model, and additional channels) for these applications. For our experiments, we utilize three Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data sets from different domains and a mixture of large and small state-of-the-art object detector models to provide an extensive evaluation of the influence of the pipeline parameters. Finally, we realize an object detection pipeline prototype on an embedded platform for a UAV and give a best practice recommendation for building object detection pipelines based on our findings. We show that not all parameters have an equal impact on detection accuracy and data throughput. Using a suitable compromise between parameters, we can achieve higher detection accuracy for lightweight object detection models while keeping the same data throughput.
How long does a brachiopod shell last on a seafloor? Modern mid‐bathyal environments as taphonomic analogues of continental shelves prior to the Mesozoic Marine Revolution
2022-11-01

Abstract Carbonate skeletal remains are altered and disintegrate at yearly to decadal scales in present‐day shallow‐marine environments with intense bioerosion and dissolution. Present‐day brachiopod death assemblages are invariably characterized by poor preservation on continental shelves, and abundant articulated shells of brachiopods with complete brachidia are thus not expected to be preserved if not rapidly buried. However, such preservation is paradoxically observed in shallow‐water Palaeozoic and Mesozoic brachiopod assemblages. Here, we show that a bathyal death assemblage time‐averaged to several millennia (Adriatic Sea) consists of sediment‐filled articulated shells of Gryphus vitreus with complete brachidia. Post‐mortem age distributions indicate that disintegration half‐lives exceed several centuries ( c . 500–1700 years). The high frequency of articulated but centuries‐old shells (&gt;50%) and the fitting of taphonomic models to post‐mortem ages indicate that disarticulation half‐life is unusually long ( c . 200 years). Rapid sediment filling of shells: (1) inhibited disarticulation, loop fragmentation and colonization by coelobites; and (2) induced precipitation of ferromanganese oxides at redox fronts within shells. Sediment‐filled articulated shells, however, still resided at the sediment–water interface as indicated by encrusters and sponges that infested them after death. Sediment‐filled shells disintegrated through bioerosion and physical wear when residence in the taphonomically active zone exceeded c . 2000 years. We suggest that the articulation paradox is driven by the Mesozoic Marine Revolution (MMR) that escalated predation, bioturbation and organic matter recycling, all intensifying shell disintegration. A scenario with slow disarticulation in bathyal environments may have lead to preservation of articulated shells in shallow‐water assemblages prior to the MMR.
642 EO2401 microbiome derived therapeutic vaccine + nivolumab, with/without standard continuous, or low-dose symptom directed, bevacizumab, in recurrent glioblastoma: phase 1–2 EOGBM1–18/ROSALIE study
2022-11-01

<h3>Background</h3> EO2401 was designed to activate memory T cells cross-reacting with tumor associated antigens. EO2401 includes synthetically produced HLA-A2 peptides with molecular mimicry to antigens (IL13Rα2, BIRC5 and FOXM1) upregulated in glioblastoma, and the CD4 helper peptide UCP2. <h3>Methods</h3> Patients with glioblastoma at first progression after radiotherapy/temozolomide received EO2401 (300 μg/peptide, q2w x4 then q4w) with nivolumab (3 mg/kg q2w; EN-regimen), or EN with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg q2w; ENB-regimen). In study part 2, low-dose bevacizumab (LDB) (5 mg/kg q2w up to 6 doses) could be used as symptom directed treatment of edema. The study, NCT04116658, was approved by all participating institution's Ethics Boards. <h3>Results</h3> Part 1 included 40 patients (EN = 29, ENB = 11). Part 2 enrolled 36 patients treated with EN, and the possibility of symptom directed LDB. In study part 3, 15 further patients are to be treated with ENB (enrollment ongoing). EN and ENB were well tolerated with EO2401 associated tox limited to local administration site reactions (45% of patients; events 70% Grade 1, 26% Grade 2, and 4% Grade 3). The frequency and severity of nivolumab-/bevacizumab-tox was consistent with historical single-agent data. Immune monitoring demonstrated positive responses against the 3 microbiome-derived peptides for 28 of 29 patients investigated ex vivo or after in vitro stimulation (IVS). For some patients, positive response was already detected two weeks after the first vaccination and was maintained for more than 10 months. Cross-reactivity against the pool of 3 human target peptides was demonstrated in 27 of 28 patients using IFN-γ ELISpot assay. For part 1, median progression-free survival (mPFS), and median survival for EN (n=29, median follow-up 14.0 months) were 1.8 and 10.6 months. Patients on ENB (n=11, median follow-up 9.6 months) had mPFS of 5.5 months and 9 patients were alive (7-12.4 months). Objective Response Rate (ORR)/Disease Control Rate (DCR) (ORR + stable disease) for EN and ENB were 10%/34% and 55%/82%. Median treatment duration for EN in part 1 was 8.9 weeks (2 of 29 on treatment), while it was 12.0 weeks (21 of 36 on treatment) in part 2. Overall, in part 2, 13 patients (36%) received LDB. <h3>Conclusions</h3> EO2401 was well tolerated and generated fast and durable immune responses in most patients. Addition of standard bevacizumab to EN improved PFS and ORR/DCR. Symptom directed LDB supported longer treatment durations. Updated safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy data from all parts of the trial will be presented. <h3>Trial Registration</h3> NCT04116658 <h3>Ethics Approval</h3> This study has obtained an ethics approval (Dana Farber Cancer Institute IRB: iRIS number 438532) and all participants gave informed consent before taking part.
Separating internal and externally forced contributions to global temperature variability using a Bayesian stochastic energy balance framework
2022-11-01

Earth’s temperature variability can be partitioned into internal and externally forced components. Yet, underlying mechanisms and their relative contributions remain insufficiently understood, especially on decadal to centennial timescales. Important reasons for this are difficulties in isolating internal and externally forced variability. Here, we provide a physically motivated emulation of global mean surface temperature (GMST) variability, which allows for the separation of internal and external variations. To this end, we introduce the “ClimBayes” software package, which infers climate parameters from a stochastic energy balance model (EBM) with a Bayesian approach. We apply our method to GMST data from temperature observations and 20 last millennium simulations from climate models of intermediate to high complexity. This yields the best estimates of the EBM’s forced and forced + internal response, which we refer to as emulated variability. The timescale-dependent variance is obtained from spectral analysis. In particular, we contrast the emulated forced and forced + internal variance on interannual to centennial timescales with that of the GMST target. Our findings show that a stochastic EBM closely approximates the power spectrum and timescale-dependent variance of GMST as simulated by modern climate models. Small deviations at interannual timescales can be attributed to the simplified representation of internal variability and, in particular, the absence of (pseudo-)oscillatory modes in the stochastic EBM. Altogether, we demonstrate the potential of combining Bayesian inference with conceptual climate models to emulate statistics of climate variables across timescales.
A unique case of commensalism: The beaver beetle Platypsyllus castoris (Leiodidae, Coleoptera) and its morphological adaptations
2022-11-01

Abstract Platypsyllus castoris is closely associated with beavers and displays a unique set of structural specializations. We document the morphology of adults with modern techniques, and interpret evolutionary changes linked with the specific life style. The small subfamily Platypsyllinae has evolved an entire suite of features correlated with a more or less close association with mammals, for instance a flattened body, a dorsal cephalic shield, flightlessness, eye reduction, and depigmentation. Within this small group, Platypsyllus displays numerous autapomorphic features, correlated with a close association with the beaver. Essential is a combination of mechanical stabilization and firm anchorage on the host, and efficient forward movement in the fur. Exo‐ and endoskeletal structures of the head and thorax are reinforced by vertical cuticular columns and by an array of internal ridges. The antennae are shortened and strongly modified, the mandibles distinctly reduced and flattened, unsuitable for cutting, scraping or grinding. The musculature of the mouthparts is simplified, whereas an enhanced set of prepharyngeal and pharyngeal dilators forms an efficient sucking pump. The prothoracic musculature is strongly developed. In contrast, the pterothoracic muscle system is distinctly simplified, even though leg muscles are strongly developed. Using the legs, the flattened beetles move sideways through the dense fur of the beaver, using posteriorly directed groups of setae and ctenidia to prevent being pushed backwards by the densely arranged hairs. In contrast to the anterior body, the cuticle of the abdomen is thin, and the entire tagma flexible, with thin layers of segmental muscles. The hind gut is not connected with the mid gut. The beetles probably consume liquid, possibly with emulgated minute skin debris. As the morphology of the mouthparts excludes damage to the skin of the host, the association should not be addressed as ectoparasitic but as commensalism.
CTIM-17. EO2401 THERAPEUTIC VACCINE FOR PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA: PHASE 1/2 ROSALIE STUDY (NCT04116658)
2022-11-01

Abstract EO2401 includes microbial-derived, synthetically produced HLA-A2 restricted peptides with molecular mimicry to antigens (IL13Rα2, BIRC5 and FOXM1) upregulated in glioblastoma, and the CD4 helper peptide UCP2. Patients with glioblastoma at first progression received EO2401 (300μg/peptide, q2weeks x4 then q4weeks), EO2401+nivolumab (3mg/kg q2weeks), or E02401+nivolumab+bevacizumab (10mg/kg q2weeks). Cohort-1 included EO2401x2 then EO2401+nivolumab. EO2401+nivolumab was evaluated in Cohort-2a, as adjuvant treatment in Cohort-2b, and as neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment in Cohort-2c. Cohort-3 assessed EO2401+nivolumab+bevacizumab. Part 1 included 40 patients (Cohort-1/3, Cohort-2a/23, Cohort-2b/3, Cohort-3/11). Part 2 allowed low-dose-bevacizumab (5mg/kg q2weeks) for symptomatic edema and enrolled 38 patients (Cohort-1/18, Cohort-2a/15, Cohort-2b/3; and recruiting Cohort-2c/2 target 6, Cohort-3/0 target 15).Safety assessment of part 1 showed EO2401+nivolumab+/-bevacizumab to be well tolerated with EO2401 associated toxicity limited to local administration site reactions (48%; all grade 1-2). The nivolumab-/bevacizumab-toxicity was consistent with historical single-agent data. Strong CD8 T cell ELISPOT responses against the 3 vaccine peptides and cross-reactivity against targeted antigens was demonstrated in the majority of evaluable patients. Immune response was confirmed with tetramer staining of specific CD8 either ex vivo or after in vitro stimulation. For part 1, median progression-free survival (mPFS), and median survival (mOS) for EO2401+nivolumab (Cohorts-1/2/2b, n=29 median follow-up [mFU] 14.0 months) were 1.8 and 10.6 months. Patients on EO2401+nivolumab+bevacizumab (n = 11 mFU 9.6 m) had mPFS 5.5 months and 9 patients alive 7-12.4 months. Objective Response Rate/Disease Control Rate for EO2401+nivolumab and EO2401+nivolumab+bevacizumab was 10%/34% and 55%/82%.Median treatment duration for Cohort-2a part 1 was 6.1 weeks (1/23 on treatment), while it was 10.0 weeks (8/15 on treatment) for Cohort-2a part 2. Overall, in part 2, 36% received low-dose-bevacizumab.EO2401 generated strong immune responses and was well tolerated. Addition of standard bevacizumab to EO2401+nivolumab improved PFS and tumor response. Symptom driven low-dose-bevacizumab supported longer treatment durations. Outcome of study part 2 will be presented.