SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
An Improved Data Placement Strategy in a Heterogeneous Hadoop Cluster

Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) is designed to store big data reliably, and to stream these data at high bandwidth to user applications. However, the default HDFS block placement policy assumes that all nodes in the cluster are homogeneous, and randomly place blocks without considering any nodes' resource characteristics, which decreases self-adaptability of the system. In this paper, we take account nodes heterogeneities, such as utilization of nodes' disk space, and put forward an improved blocks placement strategy for solving some drawbacks in the default HDFS. The simulation experiments indicate that our improved strategy performs much better not only in the data distribution but also significantly saves more time than the default blocks placement.
An Experimental Approach to the Joint Effects of Relations with Partner, Friends and Parents on Happiness

Personal relations constitute an important life domain and satisfaction therein affects happiness in people. In an experimental approach with a 3×3×3 vignettes study in which 103 first year psychology students participated, the contribution of the quality of relationships with parents, friends, and a partner are studied. It is found that the studied relationships contribute to imagined happiness according to an averaging model with equal weights, whereby relationship with a partner is weighted the most important, followed by the relationship, with friends and parents respectively. The averaging model implies that the impact of the quality of the one kind of relationship can be compensated for by the effect from another kind of relationship. The equal weighting implies that the impact of each kind of relationships (parents, friends, and a partner), within the relationships domain, is constant and so does not depend on its quality. Moreover, it seems that at some high level of satisfaction the positive effect of a very good relationship with a partner cannot further be increased by better relationship with friends. Further research with participants from different age groups is needed to further understand the impact of relations with parents, friends, and a partner on happiness.
Ashtray for interior of motor vehicle has flap in functional communication with baseplate so that when flap is opened the baseplate is displaced to form temporary receiving component receiving ash

The flap (16) of the ashtray is in functional communication with a baseplate (20) in such a way that when the flap is opened the baseplate is displaced to form a temporary receiving component (48) inside the container (14). An operating linkage (22) is connected to the flap and baseplate. The container has a protrusion (38) upon which lies the baseplate in the open position. with lower section (50).
The experiences of men receiving results of a prostate biopsy: a service evaluation

Cancer is a word that instils fear and uncertainty; therefore how a cancer diagnosis is communicated is paramount. This thesis is an evaluation of a service that enables men to telephone for the result of their prostate biopsy. The service has evolved over time initiated by patients need to know quickly whether or not they have cancer.
Current guidance recommends that a cancer diagnosis should be explained face to face. Evaluation of the service in 2007 by postal survey provided some evidence of support for our practice. However we wanted a deeper understanding of our patients’ experience of using our service.
Using qualitative methods of enquiry with semi-structured interviews we purposively sampled patients who had undergone a prostate biopsy and were willing to share their experience of receiving the result. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.
We interviewed 26 men, 22 of these had cancer diagnosed. Of those 19 had telephoned the uro-oncology nurse specialist (CNS) for the biopsy result. Our analysis generated 7 main themes; “I just wanted to know as quickly as possible”, ‘Preparation’, ‘Disposition’, ‘Service’, ‘Cancer=Death’, ‘Choice’ and ‘Support’.
The key message was speed. Patients want to know their results and quickly. It is important to them that the person explaining the results is knowledgeable in the subject. It is important that they are told the facts with sensitivity and kindness. Being told face to face is not essential.
We aim to tailor services to the individual needs of patients whilst keeping our practice evidence based. Our findings suggest that for some men explaining a prostate cancer diagnosis over the telephone is not only acceptable but preferable.
Our findings challenge the recommendations that a diagnosis of cancer should always be given face to face. Our ‘expert’ patients do not always concur with ‘expert’ opinion.
A novel quark-gluon plasma tomography tool: from jet quenching to exploring the extreme medium properties

Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) is a primordial state of matter, which consists of interacting free quarks and gluons. QGP likely existed immediately after the Big-Bang, and this extreme form of matter is today created in Little Bangs, which are ultra-relativistic collisions of heavy nuclei at the LHC and RHIC experiments. Based on the deconfinement ideas, a gas-like behaviour of QGP was anticipated. Unexpectedly, predictions of relativistic hydrodynamics - applicable to low momentum hadron data - indicated that QGP behaves as nearly perfect fluid, thus bringing exciting connections between the hottest (QGP) and the coldest (perfect Fermi gas) matter on Earth. However, predictions of hydrodynamical simulations are often weakly sensitive to changes of the bulk QGP parameters. In particular, even a large increase of viscosity not far from the phase transition does not notably change the low momentum predictions; in addition, the origin of the surprisingly low viscosity remains unclear. To understand the QGP properties, and to challenge the perfect fluid paradigm, we will develop a novel precision tomographic tool based on: i) state of the art, no free parameters, energy loss model of high momentum parton interactions with evolving QGP, ii) simulations of QGP evolution, in which the medium parameters will be systematically varied, and the resulting temperature profiles used as inputs for the energy loss model. In a substantially novel approach, this will allow using the data of rare high momentum particles to constrain the properties of the bulk medium. We will use this tool to: i) test our “soft-to-hard” medium hypothesis, i.e. if the bulk behaves as a nearly perfect fluid near critical temperature Tc, and as a weakly coupled system at higher temperatures, ii) map “soft-to-hard” boundary for QGP, iii) understand the origin of the low viscosity near Tc, and iv) test if QGP is formed in small (p+p or p(d)+A) systems.
Novel light sources for biomedical-imaging applications

Narrow band light sources can provide doctors such information on a patient which is not (or is barely) visible using conventional white light sources. Narrow band light sources can improve both the early detection of cancer as well as the early detection of diabetes. Traditional white light sources (like Xenon lamp) are heavy, expensive and the lamp needs to be regularly replaced. Laser light sources are gradually replacing white light sources due to their advantages but current lasers are complex, expensive and only few wavelengths/colours are available.

Our novel proprietary laser technology solves these issues thanks to new innovative nanostructures which we have developed and integrated to our laser components. The technology allows cost-efficient fabrication of any visible wavelength/colour and products are served to customers in an ultra-compact package with standard easy-to-use interface. 

The initial market segment for the laser module developed and sampled to customers in Phase 1 is Narrow Band Imaging application for endoscopic diagnostics. Global endoscopy instrument market is expected to grow from $23.3 billion in 2010 to $33.7 billion in 2016. In Phase 2, we expand our product portfolio by introducing more wavelengths/colours to retina imaging application. We also kick off mass-production with our existing European production partners to satisfy the demand for our products. Most key customers (and competitors) locate in USA, Japan and China.

Our technology platform allows us to enter several applications in emerging biomedical-imaging, industrial and consumer electronics markets. NOVLASE boosts our product development and helps us introduce new products to these new markets faster. We expect to need 1.0 – 1.5 m€ in Phase 2 and raise a venture funding in the end of the project to secure the projected strong growth.
A detailed decomposition for nonlinear econometric models

This paper proposes a detailed decomposition for nonlinear econometric models, covering well-known limited dependent variable models such as the logit, probit and Tobit models. The purpose of the proposed method is to relate between-group differences in an outcome variable to differences in observable characteristics. The method overcomes disadvantages of existing decompositions for nonlinear models discussed in the literature. In particular, it leads to a unique decomposition and absorbs the present nonlinearities in a natural way. In this paper, the proposed decomposition is theoretically identified and it is shown how it can be estimated and how inference can be conducted. It is then compared to existing decomposition methods. An empirical application is presented where the results from the proposed decomposition method are compared with results from existing methods. It is demonstrated that linear methods such as the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition may not be appropriate in the presence of substantial nonlinearities, and that the decomposition approach proposed in this paper leads to a theoretically sensible decomposition of the outcome differential.
System Integrated for Security Management Activities to safeguard and protect his-toric centres from risks. “Citizen as the first rescuer”

A context of particular vulnerability due to seismic activity in the territories of CADSES area (Italy, Greece, the Balkan Countries, Slovene Republic, Slovak Republic), together with a rich architectural and cultural heritage, including several historical centres where relevant activities for the quality of urban systems are carried out, are the reasons why the Project "S.I.S.M.A. - Integrated System for prevention of risks and protection of historical architectural pattern" is submitted. The purpose is to start a scientific comparison on approaches and methodologies developed and now in course of application, apt to go against and prevent the destructive action of natural events, from the viewpoint of promoting and developing preventative coordinate actions outlined at a transnational level. The final target of the project, that is to protect and safeguard human life and cultural heritage will be reached trough the development of methodologies tending to integrated actions of prevention.
DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING THE ORDERS AND WISHES OF CUSTOMERS IN A RESTAURANT

The invention relates to a device for ordering meals and drinks in restaurants, said device consisting of an emitter which is to be used by the customer and comprises a keyboard with letters and/or numbers, and a central unit which is connected to the emitter by means of a data link for data transmission, said central unit being programmed in such a way that the combinations of letters and/or numbers, used to transmit the wishes of the customer, are divided into those having a free designation and those having a fixed designation.
Systematics and paleobiogeography of Sardolagus obscurus n. gen. n. sp. (Leporidae, Lagomorpha) from the early Pleistocene of Sardinia

Abstract The extreme rareness of Sardinian fossil sites older than Middle and Late Pleistocene makes the Monte Tuttavista karst complex (E Sardinia, Italy) very important. Remarkable lagomorph material, recovered from several fissure infillings of Monte Tuttavista referable to the Capo Figari/Orosei 1 and Orosei 2 faunal sub-complexes (early Pleistocene, ~2.1/1.9–1.1 Ma), allowed us to describe a new endemic insular leporid, Sardolagus obscurus n. gen. n. sp. The new taxon is characterized by a peculiar combination of an advanced p3 ( Lepus -type) and a primitive P2 lacking deep flexa. The origin of such discrepancy, unprecedented among continental and insular endemic European leporids, is unclear. It could be the result of: (1) an independent evolution of p3 from an ancestor bearing the primitive P2/p3 (e.g., Alilepus , Hypolagus ), or (2) a selective reversal morphocline from an Oryctolagus / Lepus -like leporine. The lack of data about the phylogenetic origin of the new taxon makes any inference about its possible arrival to Sardinia problematic. Crossing the European leporid records and evidence of migrations to Sardinia, we hypothesize three possible ages in which the ancestor of Sardolagus obscurus could have arrived in Sardinia, restricted to the late Miocene–early/late Pliocene (~8–3.6 Ma). The phylogenetic relationship between Sardolagus obscurus n. gen. n. sp. and the oldest Sardinian leporid, recorded from Capo Mannu D1 and dated at the early/late Pliocene boundary (~3.6 Ma), is unclear at present, however it is quite likely that they pertain to the same lineage. UUID: http://zoobank.org/ca8e0023-7c9d-4b00-a294-d166c37c5c71
Vitamin D deficiency in HIV: a shadow on long-term management?

Vitamin D deficiency in HIV infection has attracted much interest. The best known clinical outcomes of vitamin D deficiency are rickets (children) and osteomalacia (adults). Several non-skeletal disorders have also been linked to suboptimal vitamin D levels in the general population. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency varies widely (6-100%) across diverse patient populations, with no evidence that it is higher in HIV-positive versus noninfected adults. Vitamin D deficiency may blunt immune restoration and exacerbate HIV complications (e.g. opportunistic infections, poor perinatal outcomes, wasting, HIV disease progression, AIDS events, and death). The nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz was associated with a relatively high risk of vitamin D deficiency; nevirapine, etravirine, and rilpivirine were noted to have less or no impact on vitamin D versus efavirenz in the limited data available. Protease inhibitors have either no or a low association with vitamin D deficiency. Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (with the possible exception of zidovudine) also did not appear to be associated with vitamin D deficiency. Management of vitamin D deficiency in HIV-positive adults has not been rigorously evaluated; some guidelines recommend more vitamin D supplementation for HIV-positive adults on antiretrovirals versus the general population (e.g. 2-3 times higher vitamin D daily intake for the age group; loading dose up to 10,000 IU/day for 8-10 weeks and a maintenance dose of 800-2,000 IU/day). In conclusion, although vitamin D deficiency in HIV-positive adults can be prevalent, current evidence for its causes and impact is relatively weak. More data, particularly from large, controlled, long-term trials, regarding the benefits of correcting vitamin D levels in HIV-positive adults are needed.
Predicting potent drug combinations by exploiting monotherapy resistance

Personalising treatments based on tumour genetic profiles enables cancer precision medicine. However, treating cancers using targeted therapies often fails due to the emergence of drug resistance. Here, my goal is to use drug high-throughput screens (HTS) combined with computational methods to identify resistance and its biomarkers, and to overcome it with smart drug combinations to empower cancer precision medicine.
Identifying resistance in HTS is challenging: dissecting meaningful drug responses at high concentrations is impossible due to cytotoxicity, making non-responders and resistant cell lines indistinguishable, thus limiting resistance biomarker discovery to frequently mutated cancer genes. To address this, I will employ three approaches: 1) systematically identify non-responding cell lines carrying low-frequency resistance markers; 2) reveal intrinsic resistance driven by gene expression plasticity by conducting my own RNA sequencing experiments and modelling the maximal effect at high drug concentration; 3) identify drugs which increase cell viability, combined with drugs targeting fast proliferating cells. My paradigm shift, that resistance biomarkers become synergy markers, empowers smart drug combinations.
Additionally, I aim to predict drug synergy based on multi-task deep learning using molecular characterisation, QSAR modelling and monotherapies; and, to boost biomarker discovery by identifying clinically-relevant cancer subtypes based on transfer and reinforcement learning.
COMBAT-RES will benefit from data access to a phase III clinical trial in colorectal cancer (COREAD) and access to the largest human pancreas adenocarcinoma (PAAD) combination HTS (currently unpublished) accelerating the delivery of medicine for COREAD and PAAD patients. COMBAT-RES will interrogate the underpinnings of drug resistance, clinically-relevant subtypes and overcome it with highly synergistic drug combinations, enabling the next generation of precision medicine.
Entrepreneuring chemical irreversibility to prototype responsive smart labels

In a world in which sensors are multiplying to give information to people, a need to represent these messages in an appealing and unequivocal way appears as one of the new challenges in information and communication technologies. It is with this idea, that the CHARISMA Industrial Doctoral Training elevates the concept of applied irreversibility to displays, empowering packaging industries with the tools and innovative advanced materials to engineer smart labels. CHARISMA develops printable smart labels that, capitalizing on a sensor responsive to an external stimulus (e.g., temperature), will allow the irreversible colour change of a chromogenic displaying unit. All this is connected through a circuitry that, through a powered capacitor or an OPV device, can allow the stimulus response and trigger a chromogenic (e.g., electrochromic) switching event. Once the signal is transmitted to the chromogenic display, the display will turn colour (e.g., into black), and this state cannot be converted back. The CHARISMA smart labels are thin and flexible taking virtually no space, and thus printable on any surface. The project brings together 9 ESRs in a strong interdisciplinary consortium of five beneficiaries, industry and research balanced, with state-of-the-art backgrounds in synthetic chemistry, printing, electronics system integration, and complete chromogenic solutions. This is complemented with the commitment of four non-academic partner organizations. The CHARISMA’s ESRs will be exposed to industrial training program on smart labels, in which theoretical and practical research schemes in device engineering and innovation are integrated with topical themes and methods imported from chemistry, physics and business.
Causes and consequences of alterations in cerebral glucose metabolism in traumatic brain injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in young adults. Hours or days after the primary injury, secondary injury will develop. This secondary injury is responsible for most in-hospital deaths after TBI. Early interventions to prevent secondary injury are currently targeted at reducing intracerebral pressure and promoting cerebral blood flow (CBF), aiming to improve brain oxygenation and reduce ischaemia. However, there is increasing evidence that other mechanisms besides ischaemia are important in the development of secondary damage. Because our brain depends on glucose for functioning, alterations in cerebral glucose metabolism provide insight into the causes of secondary brain damage. The influence of plasma glucose has been studied, but the relation between body and brain glucose metabolism after TBI is unclear. In addition, there are indications that local neuroinflammation influences local glucose metabolism. New techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) with 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) and cerebral microdialsyis, allow detailed study of brain metabolism after TBI. During this project we aim to study the causes and consequences of alterations in brain glucose metabolism using 18FDG PET and microdialysis. We will study the influence of alterations in oxygen supply, neuroinflammation and body glucose on alterations in glucose metabolism. Thereafter, the consequences of alterations in glucose metabolism on brain tissue will be studied, using structural magnetic resonance imaging  (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This will provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of secondary injury following TBI and its long term consequences. These data should provide a basis for the design and assessment of future neuroprotective therapies.
The study of metal contamination in urban topsoils of Mexico City using GIS

This research presents and discusses information concerning the spatial distribution of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ba, Co, Cr, Ni and V) in the urban environments of Mexico City using geographical information system and statistical analysis. Superficial soil samples (n = 146) were analyzed. The highest contamination indices were found in the north and center zone of the metropolitan area. In contrast, the surrounding rural fields show a lower impact grade. The higher concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn and Ba were observed as being related to high vehicular traffic, nevertheless other elements such as Co, Cr, Ni and V do not show anthropogenic influence and their content can be attributed to the parental rock. The results are compared with previous surveys carried out in 2003 in order to evaluate temporal deposition trends. No changes were found on reported concentrations except for Cu and Zn, whose concentration has increased in later years. The results suggest that spatial distribution analysis and results in comparison with previous studies could be useful for the management and sustainable development of the metropolitan area of Mexico City.