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Florence Thirion,1,* Susie Guilly,1,* Sébastien Fromentin,1 Florian Plaza Oñate,1 Anne-Sophie Alvarez,1 Emmanuelle Le Chatelier,1 Nicolas Pons,1 Florence Levenez,1 Benoît Quinquis,1 Stanislav Ehrlich,1 Joel Doré,1,2 Richard Martin,3 Sophie Seité4 1University Paris-Saclay, INRAE, MGP, Jouy-en-Josas, 78350, France; 2University Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France; 3Mercurialis Biotech, Rochecorbon, France; 4La Roche-Posay Dermatological Laboratories, Levallois-Perret, France*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Sophie Seit&#x00E9La Roche-Posay Dermatological Laboratories, 62 quai Charles Pasqua, Levallois-Perret, 92300, France, Tel +33 1 49 64 33 40, Email sophie.seite@loreal.comIntroduction: Balneotherapy (BT) is the treatment of disease through the use of thermal spring water (TSW). It has been used for centuries and remains a popular form of treatment for dermatologic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Recent findings highlighted the role of the gut microbiota in AD and the possible crosstalk between gut and skin microbiomes in this pathology. Nevertheless, changes in the composition of the gut microbiota after balneotherapy remain to be elucidated.Methods: A total of 96 patients, with moderate to severe AD according to the SCORAD, were enrolled. Stool samples were collected prior and post a 3-week balneotherapy at the thermal care center of La Roche-Posay (France). Composition of the gut microbiota was assessed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing.Results: Species associated with high gut microbiota richness tended to correlate negatively with disease severity (SCORAD) and positively with SCORAD reduction, while species associated with low richness displayed the opposite pattern. Relative abundance of 23 species was significantly altered during BT, these changes being significantly associated with SCORAD reduction during BT, suggesting that gut microbiota composition and AD progression were associated through the treatment. Microbial functions related to gut-brain axis such as GABA and tryptophan metabolism were also altered by the treatment. Long-standing AD patients exhibited a better gut microbial profile than recently diagnosed patients, with higher MSP richness and species associated with SCORAD reduction.Conclusion: In patients with AD, clinical disease parameters such as SCORAD or disease duration are intricately linked to the gut microbiota composition. SCORAD reduction occurring during BT was also associated with gut microbiota. The gut-brain-skin axis via neurotransmitter such as GABA should be further studied in diseases such as AD.Keywords: atopic dermatitis, balneotherapy, gut microbiota, shotgun metagenomics, thermal spring water

An Al2O3-1 wt.% Ti composite was prepared by powder techniques with the intention of analyzing its mechanical and chemical properties for its possible application as a biomaterial. Alumina was synthesized using the reaction bonding aluminum oxide (RBAO) process. The powders resulting from the milling stage present sizes minor than 1.5 microns. With the help of X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis, it was determined that aluminum oxidizes in both solid and liquid states during the RBAO process. It was also found that the alumina formation reaction in this process is completed at 1,100oC. From the measurements of mechanical properties (HV, KIC, E) in the Al2O3-1 wt.% Ti composite, it was determined that these properties are better than the same properties of compact bone. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, indicates that additions of 1 wt.% Ti on Al2O3 enhance its corrosion resistance. The bioactivation of a Al2O3-1 wt.% Ti composite was successful using a biomimetic method, because after 21 days, hydroxyapatite begins to proliferate on the surface of the substrate. With all these results it can be commented that it is feasible to use Al2O3-1 wt.% Ti composite in the elaboration of synthetic bone for its application as a biomaterial.

Deaf-blindness is a type of dual disability wherein visual and auditory capabilities are significantly impaired. Special communication methods have been developed for the deaf-blind community. Yet, these methods require that both people involved have prior knowledge and training to successfully communicate, limiting deaf-blind people's social interactions, particularly in academic settings. This paper describes the development of a device that enables two-way communication between a severely deaf-blind user and a hearing person with no prior knowledge of Braille and no additional intermediaries. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) scheme for speech recognition was designed and implemented along with the development of an algorithm capable of developing both text-to-speech and Finger-Braille-to-text conversion. Lastly, a system integration via 3D modeling and additive manufacturing was carried out to deliver a functional prototype. The resulting device aims to allow deaf-blind students to send and receive information entirely in finger Braille, using buttons and vibrotactile feedback. In contrast, the hearing tutor receives auditory messages and speaks to reply, making the educational experience as familiar as possible for both parties. Users testing the device achieved an average typing accuracy of over 95% and demonstrated an understanding of commands transmitted through the device's components.

The present study investigates the students' perceptions of applying performance tasks based on the GRASPS framework, exploring and seeking to explain the relationships between these tasks and English language learning. Data was collected over one semester in 14 public secondary schools in Ecuador, and it consisted of a questionnaire applied to 283 EFL students and two focus-group interviews with 12 EFL learners. After receiving a two-week workshop, sixteen Ecuadorian EFL teachers planned three units following the three stages based on the Backward Design Model (Wiggings & McTigue, 2005); however, this study focuses on the students' perceptions of the GRASPS framework. Overall, the students showed high levels of awareness of the benefits of developing performance tasks based on the GRASPS framework. The main benefits encountered by these students were improving English skills, fostering creativity, and autonomous and lifelong learning. Subsequently, the primary takeaway from this study proposes applying the GRASPS framework as a potential support for EFL learning. Theoretical and practical implications are presented, and further research suggestions are provided.