Simplicial ∗*-modules and mild actions

We develop an analogue of the theory of $*$-modules in the world of simplicial sets, based on actions of a certain simplicial monoid $E\mathcal M$ originally appearing in the construction of global algebraic $K$-theory. As our main results, we show that strictly commutative monoids with respect to a certain box product on these simplicial $*$-modules yield models of equivariantly and globally coherently commutative monoids, and we give a characterization of simplicial $*$-modules in terms of a certain mildness condition on the $E\mathcal M$-action, relaxing the notion of tameness previously investigated by Sagave-Schwede and the first author.Comment: 27 page

Sample-Efficient Hyperparameter Optimization of an Aim Point Controller for Solar Power Tower Plants by Bayesian Optimization

In this work, sample-efficient algorithms for a controller hyperparameter optimization of an arbitrary aim point controller for solar power tower plants are introduced. The objective is to find controller parameters, which optimize the performance of the aim point controller, and thus increase the efficiency of the plant. This should be accomplished within a minimum number of optimization steps, which implies the need of a sample-efficient optimization strategy. The algorithms, proposed in this work, are based on the Bayesian Optimization (BO) approach and enhance the algorithm's sample efficiency by leveraging simulation data as prior information. It is assumed that the utilized simulation data is possibly corrupted by mismatches to the system's real behavior and thus does not contain information about the optimal controller parameter configurations. Therefore, it is not possible to choose them directly from the simulation data, however it can still contain helpful information to accelerate the optimization. The controller parameters, selected by an optimization algorithm, have to be evaluated on the plant, after every optimization iteration. Testing the controller parameters on the real system is a time-consuming procedure, which explains the need to reduce the optimization iterations to a minimum. The algorithms, proposed for this purpose, are mostly based on the methods for leveraging prior information in BO of Antonova and Rai et al. , and extended to the use of multiple sets of simulation data, which was not sufficiently covered in literature so far. Moreover, a novel approach for utilizing simulation data in BO is introduced in this work, named Prior-Guided Expected Improvement. The algorithms were tested on a six-dimensional test function, which imitates the performance of an aim point controller, dependent on six controller hyperparameters. Several sets of simulation data were deployed, that partly resemble the function and do not contain the function's global optimum. As a reference, the standard BO algorithm was used. Two of the proposed approaches outperformed the reference by reaching close to optimal controller hyperparameters within 33 % less optimization steps, than the standard BO. In addition, the prior-informed algorithms seemed to be less prone to get stuck in local optima, than the standard BO. Moreover, in case of high simulation to reality mismatches or unsuitable simulation data, the prior-informed algorithms still yielded results similar to the reference. In a second test case, the proposed approaches were used to optimize a simulated Vant-Hull aim point controller with two hyperparameters, where they needed 23 % less optimization iterations than the standard BO. However, to test the prior-informed aim point controller optimization on a real solar power tower plant, further development has to be done to guarantee save controller behavior during the hyperparameter optimization. Thereby, damages to the receiver, caused by overheating, can be prevented

The role of myristoylation in the membrane association of the Lassa virus matrix protein Z

The Z protein is the matrix protein of arenaviruses and has been identified as the main driving force for budding. Both LCMV and Lassa virus Z proteins bud from cells in the absence of other viral proteins as enveloped virus-like particles. Z accumulates near the inner surface of the plasma membrane where budding takes place. Furthermore, biochemical data have shown that Z is strongly membrane associated. The primary sequence of Z lacks a typical transmembrane domain and until now it is not understood by which mechanism Z is able to interact with cellular membranes. In this report, we analyzed the role of N-terminal myristoylation for the membrane binding of Lassa virus Z. We show that disruption of the N-terminal myristoylation signal by substituting the N-terminal glycine with alanine (Z-G2A mutant) resulted in a significant reduction of Z protein association with cellular membranes. Furthermore, removal of the myristoylation site resulted in a relocalization of Z from a punctuate distribution to a more diffuse cellular distribution pattern. Finally, treatment of Lassa virus-infected cells with various myristoylation inhibitors drastically reduced efficient Lassa virus replication. Our data indicate that myristoylation of Z is critical for its binding ability to lipid membranes and thus, for effective virus budding

Simplicial ∗*-modules and mild actions

We develop an analogue of the theory of $*$-modules in the world of simplicial sets, based on actions of a certain simplicial monoid $E\mathcal M$ originally appearing in the construction of global algebraic $K$-theory. As our main results, we show that strictly commutative monoids with respect to a certain box product on these simplicial $*$-modules yield models of equivariantly and globally coherently commutative monoids, and we give a characterization of simplicial $*$-modules in terms of a certain mildness condition on the $E\mathcal M$-action, relaxing the notion of tameness previously investigated by Sagave-Schwede and the first author

„Duale Weiterbildung“: Duale Studienformate als Form der Hochschulweiterbildung?

Im Kontext der Hochschulweiterbildung spielen duale Studienformatebislang eine untergeordnete Rolle. Zwar wächstdas Angebot weiterbildender dualer Masterstudiengänge, dererstaunlich hohe Anteil beruflich Qualifizierter in dualenBachelorstudiengängen deutet allerdings darauf hin, dassdiese, wenngleich formal nicht als Weiterbildung verstandenund konzipiert, auch Potentiale für die hochschulischeWeiterbildung bieten können. Die dargestellten Befundeder Studie „Mobilisierung von Bildungspotenzialen für dieMINT-Fachkräftesicherung – der Beitrag des dualen Studiums“(Wolter et al. 2014) zeigen, dass sowohl Studierende alsauch Unternehmen duale Bachelorstudiengänge zur Höherqualifizierungnach einem beruflichen Abschluss nutzen unddass Unternehmensbindung und berufliche Sicherheit dabeieine zentrale Rolle spielen

Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed Pullets and Laying Hens on Commercial Farms

Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a behavioral disorder, for which there are multifactorial reasons. Various aspects of pullet and laying-hen husbandry—including housing conditions, management, feeding, and genetics—must be considered, to prevent negative outcomes, such as severe plumage damage, skin injuries, and high mortality rates due to SFP. The aim of this study was to identify housing and management factors in the occurrence of feather pecking, so as to reduce the risk of this behavioral disorder in non-beak-trimmed laying hens on commercial farms with aviaries. Beak trimming may reduce the extent of plumage damage, but it does not prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. Thirty non-beak-trimmed flocks (16 in the first, and 14 in the second laying period) were investigated on 16 commercial farms in Germany. Each flock was visited twice during rearing, and three times during the laying period. During each visit, individual plumage and integument scoring were performed, and data were collected, regarding the housing and management conditions of the flocks. To analyze the influence of management and housing on the plumage condition of the rearing and laying flocks, models were calculated, using univariate multifactorial analysis. In the rearing period, high stocking density and poor litter quality were significant risk factors in plumage damage due to SFP. In the laying period, a lack of free range, poor litter quality, insufficient enrichment, and plumage damage during rearing were significant risk factors for the development of SFP. An individual risk analysis of pullet and layer farms is therefore strongly recommended, to prevent outbreaks of SFP and cannibalism, especially in non-beak-trimmed birds

Rationale for combination of therapeutic antibodies targeting tumor cells and immune checkpoint receptors: Harnessing innate and adaptive immunity through IgG1 isotype immune effector stimulation

Immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 antibodies stimulate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Cetuximab, an IgG1 isotype monoclonal antibody, is a standard-of-care treatment for locally advanced and recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we review evidence regarding the clinical relevance of cetuximab-mediated ADCC and other immune functions and provide a biological rationale concerning why this property positions cetuximab as an ideal partner for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and other emerging immunotherapies. We performed a nonsystematic review of available preclinical and clinical data involving cetuximab-mediated immune activity and combination approaches of cetuximab with other immunotherapies, including ICIs, in SCCHN and CRC. Indeed, cetuximab mediates ADCC activity in the intratumoral space and primes adaptive and innate cellular immunity. However, counterregulatory mechanisms may lead to immunosuppressive feedback loops. Accordingly, there is a strong rationale for combining ICIs with cetuximab for the treatment of advanced tumors, as targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 can ostensibly overcome these immunosuppressive counter-mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, combining ICIs (or other immunotherapies) with cetuximab is a promising strategy for boosting immune response and enhancing response rates and durability of response. Cetuximab immune activity—including, but not limited to, ADCC—provides a strong rationale for its combination with ICIs or other immunotherapies to synergistically and fully mobilize the adaptive and innate immunity against tumor cells. Ongoing prospective studies will evaluate the clinical effect of these combination regimens and their immune effect in CRC and SCCHN and in other indications

Panel 1. The audio description process

Same film, different audio descriptions? On audience design and purpose of AD / Iwona Mazur (Adam Mickiewicz University) ; The impact of pre-recorded audio description on the description process for theatre / Nina Reviers (University of Antwerp) ; Analyzing translation process of professional and novice audiodescribers / Alexandra Frazão Seoane (State University of Ceará), Paula Lenz Costa Lima (State University of Ceará) ; Is audio describing writing or translating? / Anna Jankowska (University of Antwerp) ; The French-German TADS project: a multi method approach to the translation of AD scripts / Nathalie Mälzer (Stiftung Universität Hildesheim) ; Eva Schaeffer-Lacroix (Stiftung Universität Hildesheim ), Maria Wünsche (Stiftung Universität Hildesheim) ; Upcycling audio descriptions: towards a more sustainable model / Estel·la Oncins (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Chair: Elisa Perego (University of Trieste

Computerbasierte Erfassung von Fremdsprachenkompetenzen im Unterricht der Primarstufe: Bericht zum Projekt „Erfassung von Entwicklungsprofilen im frühen schulischen Fremdsprachenlernen“

Le projet « Recensement des profils de développement dans le cadre de l’apprentissage précoce des langues étrangères à l’école » fait partie du programme de recherche 2012-2015 du Centre scientifique de compétence sur le plurilinguisme (CSP). Son objectif était de contribuer à créer, dans le cadre de l’enseignement des langues étrangères à l’école primaire (de la troisième à la sixième), une culture d’évaluation à la fois informatisée et orientée sur l’apprentissage grâce au développement d’instruments adaptés à la vérification des compétences. Les travaux de développement se sont inspirés du concept de la progression des apprentissages (learning progressions), surtout appliqué en didactique des sciences naturelles, où il constitue souvent la base des programmes, de l’enseignement et de l’évaluation.The project “Mapping developmental profiles in early language learning at school” is part of the research programme 2012-2015 of the Research Centre on Multilingualism. The overall objective of the project was to develop adequate instruments to assess language competence and thus contribute to a learning- oriented and computer-assisted assessment culture in foreign language instruction at primary schools (third to sixth class). To develop these instruments, the general work processes were guided by the notion of learning progressions, which are frequently used as the basis for developing curricula, teaching and conducting assessments in (most commonly) the natural sciences.Das Projekt „Erfassung von Entwicklungsprofilen im frühen schulischen Fremdsprachenlernen“ ist Teil des Forschungsprogramms 2012-2015 des Wissenschaftlichen Kompetenzzentrums für Mehrsprachigkeit (KFM). Das Ziel bestand darin, durch die Entwicklung von geeigneten Instrumenten zur Kompetenzerfassung einen Beitrag zu einer lernorientierten und gleichzeitig computerunterstützten Beurteilungskultur im Fremdsprachenunterricht an Primarschulen (dritte bis sechste Klasse) zu leisten. Die Entwicklungsarbeiten orientierten sich an der Idee von Lernprogressionen (learning progressions), mit der vor allem in der Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften als Grundlage für Curricula, Unterricht und Beurteilung gearbeitet wird.Il progetto sui ”profili di sviluppo nell’apprendimento delle lingue straniere nella scuola elementare” rientra nel programma di ricerca 2012-2015 del Centro scientifico di competenza per il plurilinguismo. Attraverso l’elaborazione di strumenti idonei al rilevamento di competenze si è voluto fornire, nell’ambito dell’insegnamento delle lingue straniere nella scuola elementare (dal terzo al sesto anno), un contributo a una cultura della valutazione che sia orientata all’apprendimento e che si affidi al contempo all’ausilio di mezzi informatici. Il lavoro di elaborazione era incentrato sulle progressioni di apprendimento (learning progressions), un concetto sovente applicato ai programmi, alle lezioni e alle valutazioni nella didattica delle scienze naturali