SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Organizing for sustainable development: A multi-stakeholder project in the Amazon

Sustainable development has become a major topic as the impacts of human actions on the environment have increasingly dramatic consequences. This article describes and analyses a case of organizing for sustainable development that involved multiple social actors working in a participatory way. The research focuses on a project that aimed to define guidelines for carrying out large-scale engineering and construction ventures in the Amazon. It was conducted by a Brazilian research center and an international development agency. The field research included interviews with project leaders, extensive document analysis and nonparticipant observation. As a theoretical lens, we used the concept of territorial governance, from which we created propositions on how interventions should work. Based on these propositions and additional literature on social-ecological systems, an evaluation of the project is presented. We found the elements that were vital to the short-term success of the project, i.e., the skills of the change agents, the reputation of their organizations, and the social technology employed. We also found that less attention to public policies might weaken its long-term prospects. This work advances the knowledge on alternative modes of organizing for sustainability. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the concept of territorial governance, which offers opportunities for engaged scholars interested in tackling grand challenges.
Mri contrast using microbubbles in quantitative susceptibility mapping

Microbubbles are an established ultrasound contrast agent; detecting them with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) would open up a wide spectrum of dual-modality applications such as MR-guided focused ultrasound therapies. So far, MRI has been used to qualitatively assess the concentration of microbubbles based on a decrease in the MRI signal magnitude, which is difficult to differentiate from other sources of signal drop-out. In this fellowship, I will exploit quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), a novel approach, to detect microbubbles using MRI. QSM uses the phase, instead of the magnitude, of the complex MRI signal, which promises to enhance MRI of microbubbles because phase images have higher contrast-to-noise ratio than standard magnitude images. With the supervision and mentorship of Dr Karin Shmueli, an MRI physicist and internationally recognized expert in QSM, I will investigate the ability of QSM to quantify microbubble concentrations. Collaborating with Prof. Eleanor Stride, a leader in microbubble engineering, I will tailor the susceptibility of microbubbles for different clinical applications so that microbubbles will create bright contrast in susceptibility maps, clearly distinguishable from anatomical structures and image artifacts. This project will enhance the clinical applicability of microbubbles as a dual-modality, MRI and ultrasound, contrast agent. QSM of microbubbles has the potential to improve MRI guidance and monitoring of microbubble-mediated drug, antibody or gene delivery as well as microbubble-enhanced focused ultrasound surgery, which is currently in use for treating uterine fibroids and bone metastases. This fellowship will be a springboard towards widespread diagnostic and therapeutic applications of QSM of microbubbles. The unique training and skills provided by the fellowship will help me to establish my own research group and share the expertise I build in QSM and contrast agents with academic and industrial partners.
Perfluorinated ion-exchange microcomposite catalysts modified with Lewis acid

This invention concerns a modified porous microcomposite comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer entrapped within and highly dispersed throughout a network of inorganic oxide wherein the network and optionally the pendant groups of the polymer have been modified with a Lewis acid. These modified microcomposites can be used in catalyst compositions for various chemical processes, such as in the alkylation or acylation of aromatics.
CELLULAR CUSHIONING MATERIAL AND A METHOD FOR ITS PRODUCTION

Cellular cushioning material and a method for its production is described. In one scenario, the method includes providing a pre-welded sheet to a user comprised of at least two layers of plastic pre-welded to have a plurality of diagonally oriented, inflatable sleeves extending substantially the entire width of said sheet, and a longitudinally extending air entry passage. Each of the inflatable sleeves has an opening for allowing entry of air from said air entry passage into said sleeve. The user inflates the cellular cushioning material on an as-needed, real-time basis.
Towards a System-Oriented Framework for Analysing and Evaluating Emergency Response

Information can be provided by studying and evaluating past emergencies and the response in connection to them. This information would then be useful in efforts directed at preventing, mitigating and/or preparing for future emergencies. However, the analysis and evaluation of emergency response operations is not an easy task, especially when the operation involves several cooperating actors (e.g. the fire and rescue services, the police, the emergency medical services, etc.). Here, we identify and discuss four aspects of this challenge: (1) issues related to the values governing the evaluation, (2) issues related to the complexity of the systems involved, (3) issues related to the validity of the information on which the analysis and evaluation is based and (4) issues related to the limiting conditions under which the emergency response system operated. An outline of a framework for such an analysis and evaluation, influenced by systems theory, accident investigation theories and programme evaluation theories dealing with the above aspects, is introduced, discussed and exemplified using empirical results from a case study. We conclude that the proposed framework may provide a better understanding of how an emergency response system functioned during a specific operation, and help to identify the potential events and/or circumstances that could significantly affect the performance of the emergency response system, either negatively or positively. The insights gained from using the framework may allow the actors involved in the response operation to gain a better understanding of how the emergency response system functioned as a whole, as well as how the actors performed as individual components of the system. Furthermore, the information can also be useful for actors preparing for future emergencies.
Comprehensive systematics of tantalum and tantalo-niobium deposits

A comprehensive systematics of tantalum and tantalo-niobium deposits has been elaborated in form of a table, where three granitoid and one syenitoid igneous series crucial for forecasting of rare-metal-bearing territories are displayed in four columns, and mineralized volcanic and plutonic rocks, pegmatites, and placers critical to ore processing technology are shown in rows. The known and inferred geological and economic types of deposits and their mineralogical subtypes are placed in cells at intersections of rows and columns. The proposed systematics, which combines many attributes, contains a new quality and makes it possible to forecast economic mineralization, including new types that correspond to so far empty cells of the table. Ordinary geological maps and maps of mineral resources are used for this purpose.
Multivariate statistical analysis and environmental isotopes of Amman/Wadi Sir (B2/A7) groundwater, Yarmouk River Basin, Jordan

Multivariate statistical techniques, cluster and factor analyses were applied on the Amman/Wadi Sir groundwater chemistry, Yarmouk River basin, north Jordan. The main objective was to investigate the main processes affecting the groundwater chemical quality and its evolution. The k-means cluster analysis yields three groups with distinct ionic concentrations. Cluster 1 comprises the vast majority of the sampled wells, and the water that belongs to this cluster can be classified as freshwater. Cluster 2 comprises only 2% of the sampled wells; it has the highest ionic concentration. The water of this cluster can be classified as brackish water. Cluster 3 involves 23% of the sampled wells, and it has total ionic concentration intermediate to that of clusters 1 and 2. Factor analysis yields a three-factor model, which explains 76.77% of the groundwater quality variation. Factor 1 ‘salinity factor’ involves EC, Na+, Cl-, SO4-2, K+ and Mg+2 and reflects groundwater salinization because of overpumping. Factor 2 ‘hardness factor’ includes Ca+2, HCO3- and the pH value and signifies soil–water/rock interaction. Factor 3 ‘nitrate factor’ involves only NO3- and points to groundwater contamination because of human activities, mainly untreated wastewater, and crops and animal cultivation in the unconfined portion of the aquifer. Factors 1 and 3 can be described as human-induced factors, whereas factor 2 can be described as geogenic factor. Factors' scores were mapped to deduce the controlling processes on the groundwater chemistry. Stable isotope composition of 18O and 2H has revealed that the groundwater is a mixture of two water types. The radioactive isotopes tritium and 14 C were used to evaluate present day recharge to the aquifer and to estimate the groundwater age, respectively. Present day recharge to the groundwater is taking place in the unconfined portion of the aquifer as it is indicated by the measurable tritium content and low groundwater age. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fault tolerant control using virtual actuator for continuous-time Lipschitz nonlinear systems

SUMMARY

In this brief, we extend the existing results on fault tolerant control via virtual actuator approach to a class of systems with Lipschitz nonlinearities to maintain the closed-loop stability after actuator faults. This generalization is established by relying on the input-to-state stability properties of cascaded systems. The virtual actuator block, placed between faulty plant and nominal controller, generates useful input signals for faulty plant by using output signals of the nominal controller to guarantee the closed-loop stability in the presence of actuator faults. This design problem is reduced to a matrix inequality that can be turned to an LMI by fixing a variable to a constant value and solving the resulting LMI feasibility problem. The proposed fault tolerant control method is successfully evaluated using a nonlinear system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Attractiveness of European Cities and Regions and Cities for Residents and Visitors

Economic analysis often focuses exclusively on the sites of production. This project focuses on the sites of consumption. Instead of looking at large manufacturing plants producing for export or at multinational headquarters, this project is looking at the impact of shops and restaurants, hotels and hospitals, doctors and post offices. The attractiveness of European regions and cities for residents and visitors alike depends on the quality, cost and availability of specific services and goods. Attractive, competitive and dynamic regions and cities have been a major issue for the development of respective policies. The ESDP (1999) already underlined the need to support regions and cities in becoming more competitive and attractive. Against this backdrop, this project shall strive to achieve a better understanding of the contribution of European regions’ and cities’ attractiveness to economic performance. In addition, it shall identify the key ingredients of attractiveness in different types of territories, from vibrating city centres to tranquil rural settlements, taking into account issues such as access to services, well-being and quality of life. Finally, the project shall investigate in which way policy makers can improve the attractiveness of their city or region by reconciling the interests of both, residents and visitors.
Vivienda de alta densidad

Inhabit a space involves several social components, space is rarely unique to an individual and less a dense and globalized system as it is in the currently inhabit. The house is part of humanity since the beginning, why requires a specific implementation for each site where it is located; every individual, family or community member establishes an identity which characterizes the space it inhabits. Expose and generate a sense of identity and space appropriation is a goal that must be raised by those doing residential projects, as this is the base of an orderly, efficient oriented and just society. Establish housing as a small component of a large urban system can be understood as the base of social relations and cultural exchange because its approach should be based on the environment, generate city, dynamism and communication between those who can be founded in that system, which by its physical, spatial and social characteristics arises under a concept of proximity in order to function as the distances are the first limiting the individual can find in the urban space. This statement implies not wasting space, a habit that the current urban development has relegated as a mere theory and ultimately, have been the way how the world has grown until consume the farthest corners of the planet.
How Low has the Farm Share of Retail Food Prices Really Fallen

For the commodities they sell, farmers have been receiving a decreasing share of what consumers pay for food at retail stores for some time, but the extent of this decrease has been overstated for at least a few commodity groups. Current estimates of farm share are based on baskets of foods representative of what households bought between 1982 and 1984. Using updated baskets based on what American households bought for at-home consumption between 1999 and 2003, this report estimates farm share for two major commodity groups—fresh fruits and fresh vegetables. Using this approach, this report found that farmers are capturing more of the consumer’s food dollar than current estimates suggest. The methodology behind the market basket data series is also detailed.
Open ground truth training network : magnetic resonance image simulation for training and validation of image analysis algorithms

This action aims to optimally prepare three young researchers for the evolving medical imaging world by offering a unique set of targeted interdisciplinary training and research assignments in the areas of anatomy, pathology, imaging techniques, quantitative image analysis and segmentation, Magnetic Resonance (MR) physics and MR image simulation. 
MR imaging is the major imaging modality for brain and spine anatomy and pathology. A clear trend can be observed from visual to computer-assisted diagnosis by quantification of disease-specific biomarkers, derived from the MR images. The major components in image quantification applications are tissue and organ segmentation and classification. Manual segmentation is too tedious and cumbersome for daily clinical practice and would lead to large inter-user variability. Much research is therefore performed on automatic segmentation techniques. Training, validation and benchmarking of these techniques is currently impeded by the lack of MR image databases with exact reference segmentations.
The research will follow an innovative approach to overcome the current barriers for wide uptake of automatic segmentation. By combining mathematical organ models with physical and biological tissue properties and image simulation methods, substantial public image databases will be established providing ample MR images with ground truth (exact) segmentations, by which fast and accurate optimization and validation of image segmentation algorithms will be enabled.
Based on sound career development plans, and coached by experienced supervisors a training is offered by leading image analysis research groups from Philips (global leader in medical imaging) and the Eindhoven University of Technology (world-wide recognized authority in education and research on image analysis, esp. on MRI) and supported by researchers from leading clinical centers as UMC Utrecht, TU Munich, Kings College London and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Do Tunisian firms manage earnings to attain thresholds?

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which Tunisian listed firms manage their results to avoid losses and earning decreases, and to investigate the determinants of such behaviour. The factors which we selected were derived from the positive accounting theory applied to the earnings management thresholds. Based on a panel data of 375 firm-year observations during the period 2002-2014, we provide evidence that firms tend to engage in earnings management to avoid reporting losses and earnings decreases. Considering earnings management incentives, the results reveal that growth opportunities have positive effect on earnings management thresholds, suggesting that Tunisian firms manage earnings around thresholds in a signalling purpose rather than opportunistic one. We also found that firm size and taxes have negative effect, which confirm the political costs hypothesis that larger firms tend to report earnings lower than last year in order to pay lower taxes.
Un leone nella neve. Stilicone nel De bello Getico di Claudiano

Nel 402 Claudiano presentava a Roma il suo poema De bello Getico, celebrando Stilicone poco dopo la sua discussa vittoria contro Alarico a Pollenzo. Il poema veniva recitato alla presenza di membri dell’aristocrazia senatoria non sempre ben disposti verso Stilicone. Concentrandosi sull’analisi di due passi l’articolo esamina come Claudiano cerchi di metterlo in luce favorevole e giustificarne l’operato, sia giocando sulla synkrisis col mito, sia sottilmente evocando richiami al passato e a temi tradizionali cari al pubblico presente.
Design Features Recognition Using Image Processing Techniques

Design features refer as manufacturing information sets of shape related attributes of a work part. Features recognition is the most relevant methods of image analysis. In this paper, an ideal method is developed to extract and recognize different shape features using digital image processing techniques. The geometric data extraction algorithm is developed with SOBEL, CANNY Edge detection algorithms for features extraction and MINBOUNDSUITE algorithm for features recognition. The methods involved are colored (RGB) image to black and white image (Binary) conversion, boundary and edge detection, area based filtering, use of bounding box and its properties for calculating object metrics. The algorithm was developed in MATLab package.
INTERACTIVE APPLIANCES, APPLIANCE SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCE CONTROL METHODS, AND CONTROLS THEREFOR

An appliance control circuit has an occupancy sensor, a control signal receiver, a control signal transmitter, a control element, and a power supply. In operation, when the occupancy sensor senses an occupant, the occupancy sensor outputs a signal to cause the control element 9 to control power from the source of power to the appliance. Similarly, when a control signal is received by the control signal receiver the receiver outputs a signal to cause the control element to control power from the source of power to the appliance. At the same time, the control signal transmitter is activated based on the signal from the occupancy sensor. Multiple control circuits can be used to control one another. The appliance could be for example a light, a thermostat, or a camera.
Deep learning enhanced numerical simulations of mixed-dimensional models for subsurface flow

Exploiting the subsurface as an energy storage site is a crucial step to meet some of the challenges arising from energy production by renewable sources. For such applications, a proper understanding of the subsurface flow is essential and calls for efficient and effective computational models. The main difficulties in the mathematical modeling arise from the highly varying material parameters as well as the presence of fracture networks, the latter aspect being crucial due to its leading impact on flow characteristics. These features are a leading source of computational complexity, often making it infeasible to use full order simulation models in real-life situations, particularly when there is the need to investigate different scenarios and/or quantify uncertainties.

In this project, I will build on my acquired expertise in mixed-dimensional models of fractured porous media, where fractures are represented as a collection of immersed, lower-dimensional manifolds. Although these models lead to accurate numerical methods, the computational cost remains impractically high. To overcome this, I propose to develop reduced order models for mixed-dimensional flow problems. In particular, I will investigate how to properly capture non-linear dependencies on model parameters such as the fracture network configuration by extending and adapting the deep learning enhanced reduced order modeling techniques recently investigated by researchers of the host institution. 

The combination of research fields is reflected by the composition of the project: the proponent has a strong theoretical background in analyzing and discretizing mixed-dimensional models whereas the supervisor and associated host institute are leading experts in fractured porous media flow and application-driven reduced order modeling. Additionally, the host institution offers the necessary research and complementary skill training for the proponent to further develop and thrive as an independent researcher.
Extensive usage of insecticide and changing crop rotation patterns: A South Dakota case study

Driven by factors such as an increased reliance on genetically modified crops, government policies, and market forces, the crop mix in South Dakota and elsewhere in the United States has become less diverse and moved toward the production of corn and soybeans as the most predominant cash crops over the past two decades. Coinciding with a reduced complexity of crop rotation practices, the prevalence of mono-cropping has increased and crop chemical usage has changed as well. Overall, the reduced reliance on traditional crop rotation practices for mitigating pests corresponds with an increase in crop acres treated with insecticides, expressed as a proportion of total cropland acres, and referred to in the literature as the extensive usage of insecticides. In this paper, we identify how changing cropping patterns in South Dakota have affected the extensive usage of insecticides, an aspect often overlooked by producers and policy makers. Results indicate that increased corn production has contributed to an increase in the share of cropland acres treated with insecticides at the county level in eastern South Dakota.
Biodiversity improvement through innovative ecosystem management and bee monitoring

Bee-diversity creates an innovative cross-border system for improvement and monitoring of biodiversity in co-financed habitats, which allows sustainable and integrated management of ecosystems. This system will be implemented in 10 case studies for a total of 8000 hectares spread between Italy and Slovenia, structuring protocols and a joint model transferable to Europe even after project conclusion. Bee-diversity integrates, for the first time, the monitoring of the health status of the areas with a process of collection, sowing and diffusion of native herbaceous plants. Monitoring is done through pollinators (API) and through an innovative ICT system and an APP for the collection, management and aggregation of data, . The task is performed in Natura 2000 areas with the direct collaboration of owners, management companies and stakeholders (farmers, beekeepers, technicians, etc.). The APP shall allow communication both of technical information to professionals and for geberal public awareness-raising. In addition, Bee-diversity provides training and awareness-raising actions for companies, stakeholders and technicians in order to disseminate the application of the created protocols.