Forward Error Correction applied to JPEG-XS codestreams

JPEG-XS offers low complexity image compression for applications with constrained but reasonable bit-rate, and low latency. Our paper explores the deployment of JPEG-XS on lossy packet networks. To preserve low latency, Forward Error Correction (FEC) is envisioned as the protection mechanism of interest. Despite the JPEG-XS codestream is not scalable in essence, we observe that the loss of a codestream fraction impacts the decoded image quality differently, depending on whether this codestream fraction corresponds to codestream headers, to coefficients significance information, or to low/high frequency data, respectively. Hence, we propose a rate-distortion optimal unequal error protection scheme that adapts the redundancy level of Reed-Solomon codes according to the rate of channel losses and the type of information protected by the code. Our experiments demonstrate that, at 5% loss rates, it reduces the Mean Squared Error by up to 92% and 65%, compared to a transmission without and with optimal but equal protection, respectively

Combined Influences of Gm and HLA Phenotypes upon Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility and Severity

In some Caucasian populations, multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility has been independently related to given alleles of HLA or Gm systems that respectively code for major histocompatibility complex class I and II antigens or immunoglobulin G heavy chains. Whether given combinations of alleles at both series of loci simultaneously influence MS susceptibility and/or severity was investigated by comparing 147 French MS patients and 226 geographically-matched healthy controls. The G2m(-23)/HLA-B35 phenotype and Glm(-1)/HLA-B7(-)/HLA-DR2 phenotype were respectively associated with significant protection against (relative risk = 0.05) and susceptibility to (relative risk = 4.3) MS. When considering MS severity, the presence of HLA-B7 antigen correlated with a more severe disease in Gm1/Gm3 heterozygous patients, but not in Gm3/Gm3 homozygous patients. Conversely, an HLA-B12-associated milder disease was restricted to Gm3/Gm3 homozygotes. These results demonstrate the combined influence on MS of genetic loci that are unlinked but immune response-associated. Combined Gm and HLA typing is very likely able to serve as a prognostic indicator in this disease

Multi-omic analysis of two common p53 mutations: Proteins regulated by mutated p53 as potential targets for immunotherapy

The p53 protein is mutated in more than 50% of human cancers. Mutated p53 proteins not only lose their normal function but often acquire novel oncogenic functions, a phenomenon termed mutant p53 gain-of-function. Mutant p53 has been shown to affect the transcription of a range of genes, as well as protein–protein interactions with transcription factors and other effectors; however, no one has intensively investigated and identified these proteins, or their MHC presented epitopes, from the viewpoint of their ability to act as targets for immunotherapeutic interventions. We investigated the molecular changes that occurred after the TP53 null osteosarcoma cells, SaOS-2, were transfected with one of two conformational p53-mutants, either R175H or R273H. We then examined the phenotypic and functional changes using macroscopic observations, proliferation, gene expression and proteomics alongside immunopeptidome profiling of peptide antigen presentation in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. We identified several candidate proteins in both TP53 mutant cell lines with differential expression when compared to the TP53 null vector control, SaOS-V. Quantitative SWATH proteomics combined with immune-peptidome analysis of the class-I eluted peptides identified several epitopes presented on pMHC and in silico analysis shortlisted which antigens were expressed in a range of cancerous but not adjacent healthy tissues. Out of all the candidates, KLC1 and TOP2A showed high levels of expression in every tumor type examined. From these proteins, three A2 and four pan HLA-A epitopes were identified in both R175H and R273H from TOP2A. We have now provided a short list of future immunotherapy targets for the treatment of cancers harboring mutated TP53

Distribution and characteristics of urban nesting sites of sympatric swifts

Distribution and nest locations of Common and Pallid Swifts are compared in two towns located in the Mediterranean zone, Bastia in Corsica and Nice on the French Riviera. Our goal is to evaluate whether nesting site selection by swifts on urban settings differs between the two locations. First, we noted an avoidance in the distribution between the two swifts in both towns. Secondly, our results show that Common and Pallid Swifts use different nesting sites to breed in Bastia, whereas the same structures are used by the two species in Nice. Requirement of each species differs between the two localities, suggesting that nesting site use is more locality dependent than species dependent

Infrastructures vertes : Pourvoyeuses de services écosystémiques

Le concept d’infrastructure verte s’inscrit dans une logique intégratrice et vise à offrir de multiples avantages, à la fois écologiques, sociaux et économiques, sur un même territoire. Il s’appuie sur les services offerts par les écosystèmes. Par son déploiement stratégique dans l’espace, l’infrastructure verte présente des liens étroits avec l’aménagement du territoire. C’est ainsi que le CoDT fait référence à la structure écologique et aux liaisons écologiques dans les différents schémas territoriaux, alors que le SDT mentionne explicitement l’intérêt des infrastructures vertes. Il s’agit aujourd’hui de traduire ces dispositions à l’ensemble des échelles d’action, depuis le niveau régional jusqu’aux projets d’urbanisation. L’objectif de ce vade-mecum est d’offrir un référentiel synthétique, qui permette aux acteurs du territoire de s’inscrire dans cette démarche. Il propose une définition d’infrastructure verte et de services écosystémiques et fournit des pistes opérationnelles pour mettre en place de telles infrastructures à travers les outils d’aménagement du territoire (SDT, SOL, GCU). Il couvre l’ensemble du processus de mise en œuvre d’une infrastructure verte, depuis sa planification jusqu’à sa réalisation et à sa maintenance. Ce vade-mecum, réalisé dans le cadre d’une recherche CPDT de 2019, est destiné à l’ensemble des acteurs locaux, à savoir les administrations et autorités communales, les auteurs de projets, des collectifs de citoyens ou encore des entreprises. Nous espérons qu’il constituera une base utile pour une concertation efficace et soutenue entre ces différents acteurs, élément fondamental pour la mise en œuvre réussie d’une infrastructure verte.Opérationnalisation d'une infrastructure verte pourvoyeuse de services écosystémique

Promouvoir l’intermodalité au quotidien - Les pôles d’échanges en Wallonie

Ce vade-mecum s’inscrit dans la continuité de la recherche ‘Urbanisation des noeuds et mixité des fonctions’ (CPDT 2017-2018) à laquelle Bianchet Bruno, Blaffart Maud, Claeys Dorian, Dupont Xavier, Maldague Hubert, Regnier-Sakamoto Pénélope, Van Ngoc Hélène ont participé. Les publications de la CPDT sont consultables et téléchargeables sur le site http://cpdt.wallonie.be

Rectal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacilli in Community Settings in Madagascar

BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteria (ESBL-PE) emerged at the end of the 1980s, causing nosocomial outbreaks and/or hyperendemic situations in hospitals and long-term care facilities. In recent years, community-acquired infections due to ESBL-PE have spread worldwide, especially across developing countries including Madagascar. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal carriage of ESBL-PE in the community of Antananarivo. METHODS: Non-hospitalized patients were recruited in three health centers in different socio economic settings. Fresh stool collected were immediately plated on Drigalski agar containing 3 mg/liter of ceftriaxone. Gram-negative bacilli species were identified and ESBL production was tested by a double disk diffusion (cefotaxime and ceftazidime +/- clavulanate) assay. Characterization of ESBLs were perfomed by PCR and direct sequencing . Molecular epidemiology was analysed by Rep-PCR and ERIC-PCR. RESULTS: 484 patients were screened (sex ratio  = 1.03, median age 28 years). 53 ESBL-PE were isolated from 49 patients (carrier rate 10.1%). The isolates included Escherichia coli (31), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14), Enterobacter cloacae (3), Citrobacter freundii (3), Kluyvera spp. (1) and Pantoae sp.(1). In multivariate analysis, only the socioeconomic status of the head of household was independently associated with ESBL-PE carriage, poverty being the predominant risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of carriage of ESBL in the community of Antananarivo is one of the highest reported worldwide. This alarming spread of resistance genes should be stopped urgently by improving hygiene and streamlining the distribution and consumption of antibiotics