SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Citizens for Improving Civil Protection Effectiveness

The territory of concern constitutes one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters areas of Euro-Mediterranean Zone (earthquake activity, extensive fires, floods, continuous subsidence of subsoil water surface and gradual desertification of soil). Taking into account the above, CI-ProEffect aims at improving the quality of life of local societies through engaging catholic participation of citizens into the Civil Protection Mechanisms. CI-ProEffect aims at creating interactions among National CPS (Committee of Public Safety) and local powers, in order to have effective synergies in case of natural disaster events. In practical terms the project contributes in the following:
• Facilitates the mobilization of local potential, experts and other means, allowing the intervention resources available at very short notice, 
• Records local potential and creates local preparedness for improving response
• Aspires the establishment of a new structure to improve capacities and complementarities 
• Ensures permanent links between local services and CP administrations.
COSMO-skymed, TerraSAR-X, and RADARSAT-2 geolocation accuracy after compensation for earth-system effects

A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor with high geolocation accuracy greatly simplifies the task of combining multiple data takes within a common geodetic reference system or Geographic Information System (GIS), and is a critical enabler for many applications such as near-real-time disaster mapping. In this study, the geolocation accuracy was estimated using the same methodology for products from three SAR sensors: TerraSAR-X (two identical satellites), COSMO-SkyMed (four identical satellites) and RADARSAT-2. Known errors caused by atmospheric refraction, plate tectonics and the solid-Earth tide were modeled and compensated during the analysis. Of the products analyzed, TerraSAR-X provided the highest absolute and relative geolocation accuracy.
A multilevel approach to address the role of archaeal symbionts in the evolution of life

Microbial symbioses play an essential role in most aspects of life’s evolution and enabled major evolutionary events such as the origin of eukaryotes. But in spite of the importance of symbioses, our knowledge is based on a limited number of microbial host-symbiont systems, few of which include Archaea. Notably, recent cultivation-independent approaches have revealed two hugely diverse microbial groups of putative deep-branching archaeal and bacterial symbionts referred to as DPANN and CPR, respectively. 

The major aims of ASymbEL are to test the hypotheses that (a) DPANN, together with CPR, have key positions in the tree of life, requiring to revise our view on the early evolution of cells and (b) that the diverse DPANN substantially shape the evolution of life through symbiont-host interactions. This will be achieved using a unique three-pronged strategy that will integrate knowledge from both micro- and macroevolutionary levels:

I will place the diverse DPANN in a rooted tree of life including CPR, reconcile the history of their genome content evolution and identify novel host-symbiont systems using sophisticated phylogenomic approaches combined with microscopy. 
Further, I will elucidate fundamental principles of their genome evolution and interactions, for the first time using experimental evolution approaches to study two cultivated DPANN symbionts in co-culture with their hosts.
Finally, I will determine the dynamics of natural populations of known and newly identified archaeal host-symbiont systems and the influence of symbionts on host population structure and genome evolution using a unique approach combining single-cell, metagenomics and population genomics.

Altogether, this will allow to provide key insights into the global impact of these symbionts in the deep origins and diversification of cellular life on Earth. Thereby, ASymbEL paves the way for a deeper understanding of symbiotic evolutionary theory and the fundamental laws of cellular evolution.
Nanoparticle-on-nanofiber hybrid membrane separators for lithium-ion batteries via combining electrospraying and electrospinning techniques

Nanoparticle-on-nanofiber hybrid membranes were prepared by electrospraying of SiO2 dispersions and electrospinning of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) solution simultaneously. The aim of this study was to design new high-performance separator membranes with superior electrochemical properties such as high C-rate performance and good thermal stability compared to polyolefin based membranes. Uniform, bead-free fibrous structure with high amount of SiO2 nanoparticles exposed on PVDF nanofiber surfaces was observed. It was found that wettability and ionic conductivity were improved by dispersing SiO2 nanoparticles onto PVDF nanofiber surfaces. Electrochemical properties were enhanced due to the increased surface area caused by the unique hybrid structure of SiO2 nanoparticles and PVDF nanofibers. Compared with commercial microporous polyolefin membranes, SiO2/PVDF hybrid membranes had larger liquid electrolyte uptake, higher electrochemical oxidation limit, and lower interfacial resistance with lithium. SiO2/PVDF hybrid membrane separators were assembled into lithium/lithium iron phosphate cells and demonstrated high cell capacities and good cycling performance at room temperature. In addition, cells using SiO2/PVDF hybrid membrane separators showed superior C-rate performance compared to those using commercial microporous PP membrane.
Développement d’un produit innovant — simulateur virtuel 3D pour la préparation, la formation et l’évaluation des navigateurs maritimes, ViMarS de ViMars Ltd.

La présente proposition de projet s’applique au développement d’un simulateur 3D innovant pour la préparation, la formation et l’évaluation des navigateurs maritimes (capitains), ViMarS. Contrairement aux simulateurs communs, ViMarS (Virtual Marine Simulator) utilise les capacités d’un environnement virtuel 3D simulé par ordinateur. La start-up Vimars Ltd. a été créée par des spécialistes dans le domaine de l’équipement informatique, de l’automatisation, du transport maritime et de la navigation, qui ont la capacité d’appliquer et de développer les dernières technologies pour la création d’un produit de haute technologie, comme le simulateur virtuel proposé pour le développement. Son développement apportera de nouveaux avantages concurrentiels et augmentera la valeur ajoutée des produits nationaux, conformément à l’objectif 1 de la stratégie d’innovation pour une spécialisation intelligente de la Bulgarie. Le simulateur proposé pour le développement relève du domaine prioritaire «conception et production de produits de haute technologie et/ou participation à une chaîne de production supranationale, y compris l’industrie aérospatiale», qui fait partie de la mécatronique et des technologies propres, selon l’ISIS et est conforme à la spécialisation régionale de la région du Nord-Est, où le projet est principalement prévu pour être mis en œuvre. Le projet vise à développer un produit innovant avec un potentiel d’intégration dans l’économie. La mise en œuvre du projet devrait permettre d’accroître la capacité d’innovation et la compétitivité de Vimars Ltd. Les principales activités visant à atteindre l’objectif du projet sont les activités de prototypage des produits et services innovants soutenant sa mise en œuvre future du marché.Toutes ces activités rendent le projet conforme aux objectifs du programme opérationnel, et en particulier à l’objectif spécifique et aux résultats de la priorité d’investissement 1.1 de l’axe prioritaire 1 de l’OPIC.Le projet est conforme aux politiques horizontales définies aux articles 7 et 8 du règlement (UE) no 1303/2013 du Parlement européen et du Conseil.
Third sector involvement in higher education for refugees - a forum theatre approach

This project analyses access to and involvement in Higher Education (HE) for refugees via charitable organisations in Ireland and Germany. Based at Sutherland School of Law at University College Dublin for 24 months, under the supervision of Dr Oonagh Breen, I will compare the national legal framework for non-profit organisations (npos) to provide support for refugees in entering HE. The research is flanked by a secondment at the unit ""Higher Education for Refugees"" at DAAD in Bonn. I will improve interview skills, academic writing skills in English and project management skills via the fellowship which will allow me to take up a permanent and senior post at a HE institution within the ERA after the fellowship. The project follows an innovative methodology mix which has not been used before. Apart from the comparative legal study, the project uses a combination of problem-centred interviews (PCIs) and narrative interviews with refugees to collect and analyse data on how they were helped to access HE institutions via npos. The data analysis from the PCIs will lead to transcribing the data from the interviews to a script which is used as the basis for Forum Theatre. Forum Theatre provides the opportunity for the interviewees to interrupt and alter the play at any time to secure the validity of their narrative. The play will be shown publicly. Via the use of Forum Theatre, refugees will be able to provide their narrative of support, inclusion/exclusion, empowerment and agency and hence offer a counter narrative to our binary notions of refugees. There will be a strong focus on the gender aspect of refugee girls and women being excluded from higher education and the socio-political implications this has for participation and integration, and the future within ERA. The project will lead to a new approach in understanding the importance of access to tertiary education for refugees in the ERA and influence policy-makers, legislators and the private sector within ERA.
Biofeedback Relaxation for Pain Associated With Continuous Passive Motion in Taiwanese Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Effective pain management is crucial for patient recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Biofeedback therapy, which encourages relaxation and helps alleviate various conditions associated with stress, may help to decrease postoperative pain in patients undergoing TKA. A quasi- experimental design was used to investigate the efficacy of a biofeedback relaxation intervention in reducing pain associated with postoperative continuous passive motion (CPM) therapy. Sixty-six patients admitted to a general hospital in Taiwan for TKA were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention group received biofeedback training twice daily for 5 days, concurrent with CPM therapy, whereas the control group did not receive the biofeedback intervention. Pain was measured using a numeric rating scale before and after each CPM therapy session on postoperative days 1 through 5. The CPM-elicited pain score was calculated by subtracting the pre-CPM pain score from the post-CPM pain score. Results of repeated-measures analysis of variance showed intervention group reported significantly less pain caused by CPM than did the control group (f = 29.70, p < 0.001). The study results provide preliminary support for biofeedback relaxation, a non-invasive and non-pharmacological intervention, as a complementary treatment option for pain management in this population.
Deformation behavior and constitutive model for dual-phase Mg–Li alloy at elevated temperatures

In order to study the deformation behavior and evaluate the workability of the dual-phase Mg–9Li–3Al–2Sr alloy, isothermal hot compression tests were conducted using the Gleeble–3500 thermal-mechanical simulator, in ranges of elevated temperatures (423–573 K) and strain rates (0.001–1 s−1). Plastic instability is evident during the deformation which is in the form of serrated flow; serrated yielding is attributed to the locking of mobile dislocations by the Mg and Li atoms which diffuse during the deformation. The relationships between flow stress, strain rate and deformation temperature were analyzed and the deformation activation energy and some basic material factors at different strains were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. The effects of temperature and strain rate on deformation behavior were represented using the Zener-Hollomon parameter in an exponent-type equation. To verify the validity of the constitutive model, the predicted values and experimental flow curves under different deformation conditions were compared, the correlation coefficient (0.9970) and average absolute relative error (AARE=4.41%) were calculated. The results indicate that the constitutive model can be used to accurately predict the flow behavior of dual-phase Mg–9Li–3Al–2Sr alloy during high temperature deformation.
Seismic Site Classifications for the St. Louis Urban Area

Abstract Regional National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) soil class maps have become important input parameters for seismic site characterization and hazard studies. The broad range of shallow shear‐wave velocity ( V S 30 , the average shear‐wave velocity in the upper 30 m) measurements in the St. Louis area results in significant uncertainties between the actual spot values and the averaged values used to assign NEHRP soil classes for regional seismic hazard studies. In the preparation of an NEHRP site classification map of the St. Louis urban area, we analyzed 92 shear‐wave velocity ( V S ) measurements, supplemented by 1400+ standard penetration test (SPT) profiles in areas bereft of V S measurements. SPT blow counts correlated to V S values based on the published correlations. The data were then compiled for respective surficial geologic units and bedrock type. These data suggest that the reciprocal of V S 30 exhibits a fairly linear relationship with depth to bedrock, likely because V S 30 is a function of the thickness of surficial materials exhibiting relatively low V S values. The V S 30 values were interpolated by summing the regressed V S 30 on the depth to bedrock and kriged values of the regression residuals. The resulting NEHRP site classification maps predict that upland areas of the St. Louis area are spatially classified as soil site classes S B to S D , while the low‐lying floodplains are consistently classified as S D to S F .
Pressure sensitive adhesives based on interpolymer complexes

Abstract Adhesion of noncovalent complexes formed between complementary polymers bearing functional groups capable of hydrogen bonding or ionic interactions is reviewed. The rational design of novel adhesive materials with tailored properties requires a molecular insight into the mechanism of their self-assembly. At the most fundamental molecular level, strong adhesion is the result of a delicate balance between two generally conflicting properties: high energy of intermolecular cohesion and large free volume. These conflicting properties can be achieved in self-assembling interpolymer complexes. The adhesive and mechanical properties of the polymer blends can easily be controlled by blend composition and the type of intermolecular bonding (hydrogen bonding or ionic interactions or combination of both), whereas their solubility and water absorbing capacity are dictated by the hydrophilicity of the parent components. Innovative self-adhering pressure sensitive adhesives are based either on nonstoichiometric interpolymer complexes or on stoichiometric complexes of long-chain polymers with telechelic oligomers. Once the molecular mechanism of self-assembly of adhesive materials has been established, the molecular design of new adhesives with tailored properties becomes feasible. The number of functional polymers suitable to serve as parent components for producing novel adhesives is very large, suggesting that the polymer blending approach, based on molecular design considerations, may revolutionize the adhesive industry in the coming decades.
Recruiting ethnic minority groups to evidence-based parent training. Who will come and how?

Abstract Recruiting ethnic minority groups into research is an international priority and could lead to increased knowledge of evidence-based interventions. Three different strategies for recruiting ethnic minority mothers to participate in research on the effects of parent training were compared. The strategies were recruitment via: 1) professionals from regular public services, 2) community information meetings, and 3) staff from the recruitment team. During the four-month recruitment period, 96 mothers with Somali or Pakistani origin signed up for the study. The results show that the information meetings were the most cost-effective strategy and that the highest proportion of the sample was recruited via these meetings. The three recruitment strategies were all suitable to recruit eligible families with regard to the levels of maternal parenting practices and child conduct problems required. While ethnic minority families are generally difficult to recruit for research, it seems that proactive strategies can pay off.
Efectos del parámetro "Estímulo condicionado/intervalo entre estímulos", T en la conducta de evitación

The possibility to integrate s~gnaled shuttle-box avoidance to tite t-tau system Ls pro¬posed, on tite boris of an equivalence of tite parameters T (td/td + t delta ratio) vid CE/lS! (Conditicined Stitnulus/Jnter.stirnulus Interval rajo). Six rats were etnployed to evaluote tite effects of tite para meter 7 = CE/lS! on avoidance beltavior. Tite results sitowed titat increments of this parameter itad differential effects on avoidance behavior, latency and anticipatory responses of subjects previously classified as good and bad regarding avoidance behavior. Moreover, it was observed that nonelicited anticipatory responses (anticipatory responses ,ninus received shocks) could be predictors of avoidance efficien¬cy. With increases in T, good avoiders kept a Itigh efficiency, minimal latencies and a decrease in anticipatory responses, (botit, elicited and non elicited); witereas bad avoiders progressively itnproved titeir efficiency, sitowing long latencies titat decreases as T was incresed and did not sitow systematic changes in anticipatory responses.
Kramers-Kronig method for the determination of optical constant of PZT nanotubes synthesized by sol-gel membrane process with high aspect ratio

We report a template-directed growth of Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 (PZT) nanotubes in conjunction with sol-gel process and spin coating technique. This method employs the spin-coating of a sol-gel solution into an anodic aluminum oxide membrane (SSAM). The aspect- ratios of the PZT nanotubes were about 700. The method is based on repeated pores filling by precursor solution. The filling-pyrolys- filling process was repeated several times. The process of fabrication was fast in our research because the required time until calcination step was 1 hour and very low in comparison with pervious work. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images show that PZT nanotube is successfully synthesized. The metal oxide bands like ZrO6 and TiO6 of the final PZT nanotubes were confirmed by FTIR analysis. The optical constants such as refractive index, extinction coefficient, real and imaginary part of dielectric function were determined from the FTIR spectra using Kramers-Kronig transformation (KKT) method.
The Willingness to Recommend a Visit to the Azores: A Hierarchical Ordered Probit Model with Application to Scandinavian Tourists

AbstractTourism is a growing activity around the world and tourism destinations compete fiercely in order to attract tourists. It is usually recognized that the satisfaction that tourists have with the destination is an important way of attracting an increasing number of tourists in the future. Such a process of spreading the recommendation to visit the destination is very important for regions such as the Azores where tourism is still at a very early stage of development. The main goal of this paper is to analyze this topic in the case of the Azores. For this purpose, we use representative data in order to examine to what extent those who visited that region would recommend it to other people. The answer is then conditioned on a set of variables such as the characteristics of the individual and his overall level of satisfaction with the trip using a hierarchical ordered probit model.
International cancer research fellowships - 2

iCARE-2 is an ambitious programme offering 30 three-year international fellowships to foster excellence in cancer research, based on the mobility of postdoctoral researchers. iCARE-2 proposal is presented by AIRC, the Italian Association for Cancer Research, as beneficiary.
AIRC, a private non-profit association, was created in 1965 by visionary Italian scientists returning to Italy after a successful work experience abroad, with the mission to find a cure for cancer through research. Nowadays AIRC is the Italian leading charity providing about 40% of all funds invested in cancer research in Italy and supporting hundreds of research projects and fellowships in any cancer-related fields. Grants and fellowships are awarded with a merit-based selection process.
To train excellent and innovative cancer researchers iCARE-2 programme will:
1. let fellows choose the cancer-related topic of their research and the best supervisor and Hosting Institution, worldwide;
2. offer and promote training in transferable skills, with a special focus on research integrity, science communication, grantsmanship, project management and intellectual property rights;
3. support international networking, not only with the mobility inherent to the program but also through interactions with other fellows and with AIRC. 
Optimal employment and working conditions will be guaranteed to all iCARE-2 fellows to foster their personal and financial stability and to ensure excellence of their research activities.
Sustainable Sediment Management of Alpine Reservoirs considering ecological and economical aspects

The Alpine Region is regarded as the most valuable source of clean drinking water in Europe and of great importance for hydro power use. Management of water as an extremely valuable resource is guaranteed by numerous reservoirs enabling a third essential task: flood protection. Sediments are transported in rivers originated from natural geomorphological processes in alpine regions accumulating material in reservoirs. Thus storage capacity is reduced interfering with the needs of water supply, flood protection and hydro power. However, the lack of transported material in downstream sections heavily affects ecological variety, river bed stability and groundwater. The project aims on a wise management of sediments on basis of experiences gained on national level to establish trans-national guidelines taking into account the EU Water Framework Directive and spatial development needs to preserve existing reservoirs and to avoid uncontrolled exploitation by constructing new storage capacity.
The Effect of Color Combination on Visual Attention and Usability of Multiple Line Graphs

Multiple line graphs that represent a large amount of everyday data are commonly used in business and in the finance industry. Color has become a useful addition to such complicated graphs to allow graph-readers to obtain relevant information quickly and easily. Although previous color research revealed that color contrast attracts human attention, the use of multiple color combinations for drawing attention has not been clearly evident in a graph reading context. This study examines the effect of three color combinations on the user's perceived attentiveness level and usability of using a three-line graph. This research aims (1) to theoretically contribute color science domain with a graph comprehension aspect, (2) to design a quantitative experiment by measuring objective usability and subjective affective state, and (3) to understand the moderating effects of task types on reading of a pop-out line graph.