SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Insights into the genome of the xanthan-producing phytopathogen Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni 109 by comparative genomic hybridization

The phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni is the causal agent of Prunus Bacterial Spot disease that infects cultivated Prunus species and their hybrids. Furthermore, X. arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) plays a role in biotechnology since it produces xanthan gum, an important biopolymer used mainly in the food, oil, and cosmetics industry. To gain first insights into the genome composition of this pathovar, genomic DNA of X. arboricola pv. pruni strains was compared to the genomes of reference strains X. campestris pv. campestris B100 (Xcc B100) and X. campestris pv. vesicatoria 85-10 (Xcv 85-10) applying microarray-based comparative genomic hybridizations (CGH). The results implied that X. arboricola pv. pruni 109 lacks 6.67% and 5.21% of the genes present in the reference strains Xcc B100 and Xcv 85-10, respectively. Most of the missing genes were found to be organized in clusters and do not belong to the core genome of the two reference strains. Often they encode mobile genetic elements. Furthermore, the absence of gene clusters coding for the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigens of Xcc B100 and Xcv 85-10 indicates that the structure of the O-antigen of X. arboricola pv. pruni 109 differs from that of Xcc B100 and Xcv 85-10.
Influence of management practices on sustainability of youth income generating projects in Kangema district, Muranga County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of management practices on sustainability of the youth income generating projects in Kangema District, Murang’a County, Kenya. It focused on Training, Monitoring &Evaluation, Leadership and financial management aspects in relation to project sustainability. Descriptive survey design was adopted with 13 youth groups selected through stratified sampling where the chairperson and member of each group included in the sample. Two groups were involved in focused group discussion. District youth officer was also interviewed. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results were presented in form of tables and percentages. The study revealed that, sound financial management, appropriate training, leadership and effective monitoring and evaluation influence the sustainability of the youth projects. The study recommends that, the youths should be provided with comprehensive, quality and convenient training on project planning, implementation and postimplementation of income generating projects.
Hominin proteomes in human evolution

This project aims to reconstruct the genetic relationships between our and extinct hominin species from sites and time periods incompatible with ancient DNA preservation through mass-spectrometry based sequencing of ancient hominin proteins. Understanding the evolutionary relationships between extinct and extant hominins is a major goal of palaeoanthropology, including insights into population dynamics and traits selected for/against in particular hominin lineages. Up to recently this was exclusively achieved through ancient DNA analysis. Ancient DNA survives for a limited amount of time, however, and is commonly degraded entirely after 0.5 or 1.0 Ma. A new biomolecular approach to this issue is the analysis of ancient proteins preserved in enamel, dentine and bone from hominin fossils, as recent studies demonstrate that ancient proteins survive for longer stretches of time than DNA. HOPE will advance these developments by applying novel methodological approaches to the extraction and characterization of hominin ancient proteins in samples beyond the survival of ancient DNA. Specific objectives are 1) to test proposed evolutionary hypotheses on hominin evolution through the characterization of ancient enamel protein sequences from a number of extinct hominin populations of significant age, 2) to increase non-collagenous protein sequence recovery from dentine samples, 3) to explore the population proteomic potential of hominin proteomes, and 4) to understand changes in enamel proteome composition throughout hominid evolution. These objectives will be realized by analysing hominin specimens from a range of taxonomic clades present in the Early, Middle and Late Pleistocene of Africa and Eurasia. HOPE thereby provides novel interdisciplinary insights into human evolution and methodological tools of use across palaeonthropology and evolutionary biology.
Surtitles take the stage in Franco-Canadian theatre

Faced with the need to expand their audience, small Franco-Canadian theatre companies are experimenting with various on-stage translative strategies, such as surtitles, to reach audiences with diverse linguistic and cultural profiles. Not only do they explore their bilingualism in plays that incorporate Canada’s two official languages, they enhance the bilingual aesthetics of the original play with the use of surtitles. In addition to conventional surtitles translating the source text delivered orally on stage, creative surtitles transmit new messages and thus multiply the possible readings generated by the performance. Thus, translation achieves a certain autonomy within the theatre production and, in doing so, redefines its function while challenging the existing theoretical models applied to the translation of dramatic texts.
Breath: biomarkers for respiratory diseases detected in exhaled air through a new technological instrument for research and healthcare markets.

Each year in Europe, lung diseases are responsible of more than one million deaths and extensive costs estimated at €380 billion. These respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, asthma and tuberculosis, are very difficult to detect and usually diagnosed in late-stages once there is a significant burden of disease within them. BREATH project consists to develop, manufacture and market a research instrument to study and to diagnose respiratory diseases. The concept is based on a completely new method to collect and analyse particles via exhaled air in the small airways to easily identify chemical changes and potential biomarkers for respiratory diseases. The PExA method has the potential to fundamentally change the way lung diseases are diagnosed and treated today by offering a best alternative of the existing methods on market, which brings a substantial commercial potential. By doing a simple breathing test and without any potential risk for the patients, PExA's instrument provides a quantitative, reliable, user friendly, non-invasive, less painful, faster, repeatable method for early-stage diagnosis. PExA's clients are all those who are currently actively looking for biomarkers to figure out the patient's health conditions such as lung researchers and healthcare professionals within health services, academia and pharmaceutical companies initially in the EU and then the US. The objectives of BREATH project Phase1 are to: (1) prove through a feasibility study the potential to develop a real-time and stand-alone analysis/diagnostic device; (2) enhance the competitiveness and profitability of the service by improving the quality and reliability of the system via (i) the checking system, (ii) designing and developing our own disposable kits. The outcome will be a feasibility study assessing the socio-economic, commercial and technical aspects of the innovation that will be used to define the activities of Phase II.
Method and apparatus for reconstructing a three-dimensional scene in a holographic display

The invention relates to a method for reconstructing a three-dimensional scene in a holographic display. In said method, the 3D scene that is to be reconstructed is decomposed into object points, and one respective object point is encoded as a sub-hologram in the light modulator. Processor means and reconstruction means are provided for calculating and encoding as well as for reconstructing the 3D scene in order to overcome known drawbacks encountered when encoding a hologram and holographically reconstructing the 3D scene in holographic display devices.; According to the proposed solution, processor elements are provided for generating a movable two-dimensional grid in the light modulating means (L), forming groups of object points (OPGm) from grid-related object points (OPn), and sequentially encoding the holograms of said groups of object points (OPGm), by means of which intrinsically coherent partial constructions of the groups of object points (OPGm) are generated in a rapid sequence, said partial constructions being incoherent relative to one another. The wave fronts of reconstructed object points are sequentially superimposed within a visible range such that the reconstruction of the 3D scene can be seen as a time-averaged reconstruction.
Research and development of the new MEDIMONITOR system for intelligent diagnostic forecasting

The subject of the proposed project is to create a software platform with elements of knowledge management and artificial intelligence. Its output will be a new MEDIMONITOR system using artificial intelligence, which will significantly affect treatments, especially where there is a diagnosis with a long-term impact, with an impact on quality of life and also with an impact on the quality of the workforce. The output of the project will be software.
Integrated elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic studies of Mesozoic mafic dykes from the eastern North China Craton: implications for the dramatic transformation of lithospheric mantle

Abstract Evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton (NCC) from its Precambrian cratonic architecture until Paleozoic, and the transformation to an oceanic realm during Mesozoic, with implications on the destruction of cratonic root have attracted global attention. Here we present geochemical and isotopic data on a suite of newly identified Mesozoic mafic dyke swarms from the Longwangmiao, Weijiazhuang, Mengjiazhuang, Jiayou, Huangmi, and Xiahonghe areas (Qianhuai Block) along the eastern NCC with an attempt to gain further insights on the lithospheric evolution of the region. The Longwangmiao dykes are alkaline with LILE (Ba and K)- and LREE-enrichment ((La/Yb) N > 4.3) and EM1-like Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic signature ((87Sr/86Sr) i > 0.706; e Nd (t) 16.6, (207Pb/204Pb) i > 15.4, (208Pb/204Pb) i > 36.8, e Hf (t) 3.7), and display similar EM1-like isotopic features ((87Sr/86Sr) i > 0.706; e Nd (t) 16.7, (207Pb/204Pb) i > 15.4, (208Pb/204Pb) i > 36.9, e Hf (t) 2.4) and EM1-like isotopic features((87Sr/86Sr) i > 0.706; e Nd (t) 16.7, (207Pb/204Pb) i > 15.4, (208Pb/204Pb) i > 36.9, e Hf (t) 3.7) and EM1-like Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic features ((87Sr/86Sr) i > 0.706; e Nd(t) 16.7, (207Pb/204Pb) i > 15.4, (208Pb/204Pb) i > 36.9, e Hf (t) 9.3) and EM1-like isotopic composition ((87Sr/86Sr) i > 0.705; e Nd (t) 16.9, (207Pb/204Pb) i > 15.5, (208Pb/204Pb) i > 36.9, e Hf (t) 0.705; e Nd (t) 16.9, (207Pb/204Pb) i > 15.5, (208Pb/204Pb) i > 36.9, e Hf (t)
Cleantechblock

The building sector contributes with about 40% of total energy consumption in Europe, thus holding an immense potential for contribution towards CO2 emission reduction and energy savings. Graasten Brickworks aims to address this potential and gain access to a major market opportunity through the development of an innovative building material – CleanTechBlock - which will enable a paradigm shift within the construction process and recycling in Europe. 

CleanTechBlock is a patented multifunctional sandwich-block solution based on the combination of two clay brick shells and foamed recycled glass. The advantages of CleanTechBlock over bricks are compelling as the insulation, strength properties and construction price are similar to alternative solutions and it offers an overall increase in the inner space (3-5%) and a potential reduction in the overall house wall construction time (5x faster), while reducing maintenance requirements. In addition to the economic benefits, it can contribute to the mitigation of environmental problems – increase of waste recycling and decrease of raw material consumption, energy consumption and CO2 emissions (more than 50%). 

Our vision is to take the final steps of technological development and maturation towards industrial scale production of CleanTechBlock leveraging on the opportunity provided by the SME instrument. Besides giving the participating companies a technological leap with the consequent competitive advantage and export potential, the project will strengthen GB´s position in the clean-building materials field and assist Europe in achieving objectives for environmental and energy policy, both in terms of waste recycling and general reduction of CO2 emissions.
Supra-spinal FAAH is required for the analgesic action of paracetamol in an inflammatory context

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used analgesic in the world. Recently, a new view of its action has emerged: that paracetamol would be a pro-drug that should be metabolized by the FAAH enzyme into AM404, its active metabolite. However, this hypothesis has been demonstrated only in naive animals, a far cry from the clinical pathologic context of paracetamol use. Moreover, FAAH is a ubiquitous enzyme expressed both in the central nervous system and in the periphery. Thus, we explored: (i) the involvement of FAAH in the analgesic action of paracetamol in a mouse model of inflammatory pain; and (ii) the contributions of central versus peripheral FAAH in this action. The analgesic effect of paracetamol was evaluated in thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by an intra-plantar injection of carrageenan (3%) in FAAH knock-out mice or their littermates. Moreover, the contribution of the central and peripheral enzymes was explored by comparing the effect of a global FAAH inhibitor (URB597) to that of a peripherally restricted FAAH inhibitor (URB937) on paracetamol action. Here, we show that in a model of inflammatory pain submitted to different stimuli, the analgesic action of paracetamol was abolished when FAAH was genetically or pharmacologically inhibited. Whereas a global FAAH inhibitor, URB597 (0.3 mg/kg), reduced the anti-hyperalgesic action of paracetamol, a brain-impermeant FAAH inhibitor, URB937 (0.3 mg/kg), had no influence. However, administered intracerebroventricularly, URB937 (5 μg/mouse) reduced the action of paracetamol. These results demonstrate that the supra-spinally-located FAAH enzyme is necessary for the analgesic action of paracetamol. • Paracetamol requires FAAH to exert its analgesic action in an inflammatory pain. • A peripheral restricted FAAH inhibitor has no influence on paracetamol action. • A brain permeant FAAH inhibitor abolishes the analgesic action of paracetamol. • Brain FAAH is the key enzyme for paracetamol-induced analgesia.
HYBRID BANDGAP ENGINEERING FOR SUPER-HETERO-EPITAXIAL SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS, AND PRODUCTS THEREOF

"Super-hetero-epitaxial" combinations comprise epitaxial growth of one material on a different material with different crystal structure. Compatible crystal structures may be identified, using a "Tri-Unity" system. New bandgap engineering diagrams are provided for each class of combination, based on determination of hybrid lattice constants for the constituent materials in accordance with lattice-matching equations. Using known bandgap figures for previously tested materials, new materials with lattice constants that match desired substrates and have the desired bandgap properties may be formulated by reference to the diagrams and lattice matching equations. In one embodiment, this analysis makes it possible to formulate new super- hetero-epitaxial semiconductor systems, such as systems based on group IV alloys on c-plane LaF3; group IV alloys on c-plane langasite,- Group HI-V alloys on c-plane langasite; and group II -VI alloys on c-plane sapphire.
Population structure of Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean Sea: from nesting beaches to foraging grounds

With more than 40% of the world’s population living in coastal areas, oceans have become an indispensable resource for humankind but many coastal and marine regions are suffering from multiple anthropogenic threats. Pollution, coastal tourism, agricultural practices and development of ports threaten marine species worldwide and have caused the decline of many species, some of them currently on the verge of extinction. Bycatch, the unintentional catching of non-targeted species during fishing operations has been described as one of the most important threats causing the decline of many species, especially of large marine vertebrates: sharks, sea turtles, birds and marine mammals. This is because large marine vertebrates are the most vulnerable group to bycatch due to their life-cycle characteristics, presenting a long lifespan, late age at maturity and low reproductive output. However, conservation needs for marine megafauna are particularly difficult to assess as these species usually occur in remote oceanic habitats, are distributed across entire oceans and often have complex life cycles involving migrations that cover thousands of kilometres. Thus, because sea turtle life stages may occur in different areas, a detailed knowledge on the life cycle, distribution and habitat use of these species is highly relevant as populations might face different anthropogenic impacts depending on the areas used. Accordingly, these questions have been addressed for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in this thesis through different approaches such as population genetics, stable isotope analysis, growth models and fisheries impact assessments. The results presented in this thesis have revealed deeper structuring in nesting and foraging grounds for loggerhead turtles than previously thought. An earlier colonisation of the Mediterranean has been discovered, fine-scale rookery contributions to Mediterranean foraging grounds have been unveiled, the habitat use of nesting females has been discovered and new management units have been described within the Mediterranean Sea. The effects that foraging ground use have on loggerheads biology has also been approached showing that individual patterns of habitat use may have a remarkable effect on fitness (clutch size) and growth rates. This, in turn, may be driven by surface water circulation patterns of the basin and the trajectory followed by juvenile turtles during their developmental migration. Finally, this thesis has highlighted the importance of regional studies to understand the consequences of fisheries bycatch as the actual impact will depend on the origin of the turtles incidentally caught.
Unpacking the 2 × 2 table

Statistics estimated from a 2 × 2 contingency table, such as sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios, are usually presented in contexts of diagnostic decision making or evaluation of screening tests. However, their use is not restricted to those contexts. The purpose of this article is to summarize for clinicians and researchers in nursing and other health care disciplines the conceptual basis, calculation, application, and limitations of statistics derivable from a 2 × 2 table and to provide a worked example based on previous research. It will be shown that these statistics can potentially be used for analyzing any binary outcome (e.g., occurrence vs. nonoccurrence of some event) with a binary predictor (e.g., present vs. absent or above vs. below some cut point). Most can be estimated with a hand-held or online calculator, and, apart from chi-square statistics, without first converting observed data to a test-statistic. Clearer understanding of the derivation and clinical meaning of these statistics will encourage their wider use in health research and clinical practice.
Experimental Research on a Novel Iodine-125 Seed Strand Connected Using Magnesium Alloy AZ31

Aim of this research is to study the in vivo degradation and biocompatibility in rabbits and the dose distribution of novel iodine-125 seed strands connected using magnesium alloy AZ31.Thirty-three New Zealand rabbits were divided into three Groups (A, B, and C). All rabbits in Groups A and C were implanted with VX2 tumors. For Group A, radioactive iodine-125 seed strands were implanted into the VX2 tumors. For Group B, non-radioactive iodine-125 seed strands were implanted into thigh muscle. Rabbits in Group C were used as controls. Displacement of the seed strands was assessed using X-ray and CT. Blood and urine samples were collected from all groups to measure changes in magnesium ion concentrations. The changing effect of alloy AZ31 tube according to dose distribution of iodine-125 was evaluated using the Monte Carlo method.In Groups A and B, 14 days after implantation, majority of the magnesium alloy tubes were fragmented, and 28 days after implantation, the magnesium alloy tubes were completely degraded. Small differences in dose distribution were observed between bare iodine-125 seeds and iodine-125 seed strands.Our results suggest that these novel iodine-125 seed strands connected using magnesium alloy AZ31 are promising anti-cancer drug for brachytherapy due to the rapid degradation of connective materials and even distribution of seed doses in tumors. Some recent patents are also outlined in this article.
Implementation of a high-resolution Source-Oriented WRF/Chem model at the Port of Oakland

Abstract A version of the Source-Oriented WRF/Chem (SOWC) model with 250 m spatial resolution (SOWC-HR) was developed and implemented to perform high resolution simulations over the community of Oakland, California, during March 2010. A multiscale set of nested domains was used to predict contributions to airborne particulate elemental carbon (EC) concentrations from ships, trains, and on-road diesel trucks. The final domain at 250 m resolution used Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to predict turbulent mixing at scales where traditional first order closure models are not valid. Results of the high resolution simulation with the nested LES (HR case) and without the nested LES (non-HR case) were compared to speciated particulate matter (PM) measurements and source contributions calculated using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF). The PMF results showed that on-road diesel traffic was a major EC contributor, a result consistent with previous studies for Oakland. The average EC concentration predicted at the site by the SOWC-HR model was 0.42 μg m −3 , with source contributions of 0.22 μg m −3 from on-road diesel, 0.05 μg m −3 from ship fuel combustion, 0.08 μg m −3 from trains, and 0.09 μg m −3 from other sources. Both simulation cases predicted similar total EC concentrations and source contributions at the sampling sites, but more substantial differences were predicted at other locations in the study region. The HR case predicted higher average and maximum hourly EC contributions from all sources compared the non-HR case. The greatest relative increase of maximum hourly EC was seen in the on-road diesel source, which increased by nearly a factor of 2 (3.74 μg m −3 to 6.69 μg m −3 ) when spatial resolution was increased from 1 km to 250 m. The SOWC-HR model predicted greater population-weighted EC concentrations from all sources when compared to the SOWC model without HR. The increase in period-averaged EC exposure from each source ranged from +1% to +17%, while the increase in maximum hourly EC exposure from each source ranged from +9% to +32%. This evaluation shows that resolving neighborhood scales through the representation of local mixing phenomena can significantly impact pollutant concentration predictions, especially when examining extreme exposures in a densely populated area with many sources and complex terrain.