SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Hacking your way to it expertise: what digital societies can (and need to) learn from informal learning in hackerspaces

HACKIT will advance our understanding of how individuals acquire information technology (IT) expertise in informal learning environments. IT skills, such as coding, are crucial for economic growth in the European Union (EU). But it is estimated that there will be a shortage of 900,000 IT professionals by 2020. Women are underrepresented in IT professions in all EU countries. These issues impede the competitiveness of the European IT sector and prompt questions about its inclusiveness. In order to develop effective, inclusive educational policies and initiatives addressing this IT skills shortage and gender gap, we need answers to pressing questions: Why, where, how, and by whom are IT skills trained? The relevance of informal learning for IT professions has been emphasised in this context. Yet, empirical, particularly observational research on IT learning in informal environments is largely missing. My project will tackle this research gap by conducting a digital ethnography of ‘hackerspaces’ in the United Kingdom. Hackerspaces are key examples for informal IT learning environments: they are physical places where community members engage in activities involving coding and electronics. Misleadingly, ‘hacking’ is predominantly associated with illegal acts, but hackerspace members actually pursue legal, innovative IT practices. By ethnographically approaching hackerspaces, I will realise three main objectives: First, with participant observations, I will investigate how individuals acquire and cultivate IT skills in hackerspaces. Second, through interviews, I will examine which factors (de-)motivate members’ IT learning. Third, I will detail how my study can inform educational policies and initiatives fostering IT expertise in Europe. Overall, while I will investigate how hackerspaces function as facilitative environments, I will likewise examine factors of in- and exclusion relevant to informal IT learning, especially regarding minority groups.
The Time Value of Military Force in Modern Warfare: The Airpower Advantage,

Abstract : This study seeks to answer the question, 'How can airpower help resolve time-induced tensions between political and military imperatives in the conduct of modern warfare?' To answer this question, the study begins by exploring time in the theory of war with an emphasis on time as a fourth dimension that provides a distinct perspective on warfare. With concepts gleaned from theory, this study analyzes the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, the Falklands War, and the Gulf War to determine the role airpower played in overcoming time Conflicts and achieving political-military congruence. The Study concludes that a time-based strategy was the mechanism through which airpower worked to resolve time-induced tensions between political and military imperatives. A time-based strategy is defined as one in which time is a paramount or extremely significant consideration. Such a strategy seeks to overcome time-induced tensions and achieve political-military congruence by employing forces and forms of military power with an appreciation of their abilities to Contribute to this resolution and congruence. A time-based strategy also weighs operational risks and benefits with the goal of balancing them to achieve the greatest time benefit at the lowest risk. In addition to revealing a time-based strategy as the mechanism for overcoming time conflicts between political and military imperatives, the evidence also points to the prominence of airpower's role in that strategy. This link between time-based strategies and airpower has important implications for both the airpower theorist and the airpower strategist.
Synchronisation to enhance reliability of climate predictions

Climate prediction is the next frontier in climate research. Prediction of climate on timescales from a season to a decade has shown progress, but beyond the ocean skill remains low. And while the historical evolution of climate at global scales can be reasonably simulated, agreement at a regional level is limited and large uncertainties exist in future climate change. These large uncertainties pose a major challenge to those providing climate services and to informing policy makers.

This proposal aims to investigate the potential of an innovative technique to reduce model systematic error, and hence to improve climate prediction skill and reduce uncertainties in future climate projections. The current practice to account for model systematic error, as for example adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is to perform simulations with ensembles of different models. This leads to more reliable predictions, and to a better representation of climate. Instead of running models independently, we propose to connect the different models in manner that they synchronise and errors compensate, thus leading to a model superior to any of the individual models – a super model. 

The concept stems from theoretical non-dynamics and relies on advanced machine learning algorithms. Its application to climate modelling has been rudimentary. Nevertheless, our initial results show it holds great promise for improving climate prediction. To achieve even greater gains, we will extend the approach to allow greater connectivity among multiple complex climate models to create a true super climate model. We will assess the approach’s potential to enhance seasonal-to-decadal prediction, focusing on the Tropical Pacific and North Atlantic, and to reduce uncertainties in climate projections. Importantly, this work will improve our understanding of climate, as well as how systematic model errors impact prediction skill and contribute to climate change uncertainties.
MEMBRANES

An asymmetric membrane formed from a sulphonated polyarylethersulphone has a salt rejection of at least 99%. Alternatively, a membrane has a good salt rejection and an acceptable water flux such that the ratio  has the value of at least 0.7. The membranes can be obtained using barium salts of the sulphonated polyarylethersulphone, with the proportion of barium being controlled to be at least 85%, preferably at least 86%, and not more than 91%, preferably not more than 90% of the barium required to react with the sulphonic acid groups on the sulphonated polymer.
Seasonal and annual throughfall and stemflow in Andean temperate rainforests

The partitioning of gross rainfall into throughfall, stemflow, and interception loss and their relationships with forest structure was studied for a period of four years (October 2002–September 2006) and two years (October 2005–September 2007) in seven experimental catchments of temperate rainforest ecosystems located in the Andes of south-central Chile (39°37′S, 600–925 m a.s.l.). The amount of throughfall, stemflow, and interception loss was correlated with forest structure characteristics such as basal area, canopy cover, mean quadratic diameter (MQD), and tree species characteristics in evergreen and deciduous forests. Annual rainfall ranged from 4061 to 5308 mm at 815 m a.s.l. and from 3453 to 4660 mm at 714 m a.s.l. Throughfall ranged from 64 to 89% of gross rainfall. Stemflow contributed 0·3–3·4% of net precipitation. Interception losses ranged from 11 to 36% of gross rainfall and depended on the amount of rainfall and characteristics as well as on forest structure, particularly the MQD. For evergreen forests, strong correlations were found between stemflow per tree and tree characteristics such as diameter at breast height (R2 = 0·92, P < 0·01) and crown projection area (R2 = 0·65, P < 0·01). Stemflow per tree was also significantly correlated with epiphyte cover of trunks in the old-growth evergreen forests (R2 = 0·29, P < 0·05). The difference in the proportion of throughfall and interception loss among stands was significant only during winter. The reported relationships between rainfall partitioning and forest structure and composition provide valuable information for management practices, which aimed at producing other ecosystem services in addition to timber in native rainforests of southern Chile. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individual alpha neurofeedback training effect on short term memory

Memory performance has been reported to be associated with electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha activity. This study aimed to improve short term memory performance by individual alpha neurofeedback training (NFT). With appropriate protocol designed for NFT, the experimental results showed that the participants were able to learn to increase the relative amplitude in individual alpha band during NFT and short term memory performance was significantly enhanced by 20 sessions of NFT. More importantly, further analysis revealed that the improvement of short term memory was positively correlated with the increase of the relative amplitude in the individual upper alpha band during training. In addition, effective strategies for individual alpha training varied among individuals and the most successful mental strategies were related to positive thinking.
Electronic axons: wireless microstimulators based on electronic rectification of epidermically applied currents

To build interfaces between the electronic domain and the human nervous system is one of the most demanding challenges of nowadays engineering. Fascinating developments have already been performed such as visual cortical implants for the blind and cochlear implants for the deaf. Yet implantation of most electrical stimulation systems requires complex surgeries which hamper their use for the development of so-called electroceuticals. More importantly, previously developed systems based on central stimulation units are not adequate for applications in which a large number of sites must be individually stimulated over large and mobile body parts, thus hindering neuroprosthetic solutions for patients suffering paralysis due to spinal cord injury or other neurological disorders. A solution to these challenges could consist in developing addressable single-channel wireless microstimulators which could be implanted with simple procedures such as injection. And, indeed, such solution was proposed and tried in the past. However, previous attempts did not achieve satisfactory success because the developed implants were stiff and too large. Further miniaturization was prevented because of the use of inductive coupling and batteries as energy sources. Here I propose to explore an innovative method for performing electrical stimulation in which the implanted microstimulators will operate as rectifiers of bursts of innocuous high frequency current supplied through skin electrodes shaped as garments. This approach has the potential to reduce the diameter of the implants to one-fifth the diameter of current microstimulators and, more significantly, to allow that most of the implants’ volume consists of materials whose density and flexibility match those of neighbouring living tissues for minimizing invasiveness. In fact, implants based on the proposed method will look like short pieces of flexible thread.
A new functtor from E6-Mod to E7-Mod,

We find a new representation of the simple Lie algebra of type $E_7$ on the polynomial algebra in 27 variables, which gives a fractional representation of the corresponding Lie group on 27-dimensional space. Using this representation and Shen's idea of mixed product, we construct a functor from $E_6$-{\bf Mod} to $E_7$-{\bf Mod}. A condition for the functor to map a finite-dimensional irreducible $E_6$-module to an infinite-dimensional irreducible $E_7$-module is obtained. Our general frame also gives a direct polynomial extension from irreducible $E_6$-modules to irreducible $E_7$-modules. The obtained infinite-dimensional irreducible $E_7$-modules are $({\cal G},K)$-modules in terms of Lie group representations. The results could be used in studying the quantum field theory with $E_7$ symmetry and symmetry of partial differential equations.
enhancing SUStainable tourism attraction in small fascinating med TOWNS

The charm of the Mediterranean space resides also in the fascinating small towns which have increasingly become tourist destinations for large numbers of visitors, favouring both the development and growth of its territories. Thanks to press campaigns, fashions and youth trends, such tourist flows are gaining ever more ground. However, Mediterranean fascinating small towns are subject to the decline in fashion and notoriety by tourists. In addition, these towns are at risk of intensive exploitation of their territories and may become over-equipped with infrastructures and services whenever their tourist attraction decreases. The project aims to intervene at the peak of the growing curve of tourist flows, making sure that these towns maintain the highest tourist flows, averting any risk of alteration of their fragile ecosystems. The main expected outcomes are the planning documents to address tourism marketing to produce new methodologies and technological tools which contribute in the strategy focused on stabilizing tourism flows. Therefore, the outputs are addressed to preserve the heritage of such towns which otherwise would see their existence compromised by the effects of overtourism. The challenge of the project is to associate small towns to jointly govern these processes, avoiding that the tourist flows cause collapse of the public services for excessive anthropization. In return, the preservation of local traditions and cultural heritage, has to be ensured.
Industrialisation of a disruptive active fire-fighting system

JET ANTI-FIRE has the objective to bring to market the most secure active fire-fighting system in the market, which is able to extinguish a fire in 50% less time while saving 75% of O&M costs and 55% of water compared to existing systems, thus guaranteeing more security for the operator and patrimony while fulfilling the local regulation far better than current systems. The innovation is based on two new devices: a hydrant tap that maintains the pressure balanced in a building including skyscrapers, and a jet system that breaks water producing an efficient water fog and so temperature decrease 50% faster than with traditional methods, allowing fire-fighters get closer to the fire focus in secure conditions. FIRING is an Italian based company, they are experts in active fire-fighting systems and solutions with more than 12 years of experience. FIRING experience in active fire-fighting systems shows us, that existing methods have problems to comply with regulation especially in high buildings. This makes expensive O&M methods as hydraulic compensation engineering and dynamic tests every six months necessary. Because of that fire-fighting experts are demanding more efficient and cost effective fire-fighting systems. Our system implies to invest a 20% more in active fire-fighting systems but the gain in higher security, lower maintenance and lower water usage outperforms this slightly higher initial investment within the first year of usage. FIRING wants to participate with JET ANTI-FIRE in the extension and homogenization of secure and effective fire-fighting systems in Europe.
INTERACTION BETWEEN A DRIVE TRAIN AND AN ELECTRIC MACHINE WITH SEVERAL SELF-ADJUSTING SPEED INCREASING RATIOS

The invention relates to a drive train, especially for motor vehicles, comprising a drive unit with a drive shaft, a drive unit and an electric machine that interacts therewith. The objective of the invention is to create a drive train of the type thus described, whereby the electric machine and drive unit interact in such a way that the shifting of the speed-increasing ratio is more economic and easier to handle. This is achieved by means of a drive train that comprises a drive unit (2) such as an internal combustion engine, a drive shaft (3) and at least one electric machine (8) that interacts with the drive train, whereby said machine is at least used as a motor and generator. The interaction(7,9) between the electric machine and the drive train is achieved by means of at least two self adjusting speed increase steps that are dependent upon the operating mode of the electric machine and are sub-divided into a starting phase and an operational phase.
Wastewater treatment monitoring and advisory system

The biggest pain point of WaMoS customers, i.e. small and medium size Urban Waste Water Treatment Plants (UWWTP, 18.842 in EU), is that state-of-the-art of commercially available technological solutions for real-time and online monitoring of aerobic biological nutrient removal (BNR), responsible for cleaning of organic pollutants from wastewater, does not meet the demands of the market. Lack of suitable solutions forces operators of UWWTPs to »drive blind« in critical situations. This often results in discharge of pollutants into receiving rivers with estimated environmental cost of  300 million EUR per year in EU.

Our innovation : WaMoS is affordable online, real-time, monitoring, diagnostic, alarming and advisory system for monitoring BNR process status, designed as Platform as a Sevice (PaaS). Our Key enabling technology is industrial biotechnology supported by Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain technologies. It can completely remove risks of  pollution due to problems with BNR process and as such it is an industry gamechanger. Our target is 80% reduction of unwanted biological treatment events during operation of small and medium size UWWTPs. Our customers are reponsible for cleaning waste water of 150 million inhabitants of European Union.

WaMoS is positioned as Smart Water Technology , available market amounts to 360 - 400 million EUR globally, we target market share of 30% till 2025. The main market drivers are new EU legislation, technology (IoT, ML/AI, blockchain) and strong public pressure. Our main competitor is Hach RTC solution, which is still too expensive. WaMoS will be launched on the market for the 3rd of the price of the competition.

Our unique competitive advantage is a combination of long-term (30 years) experience with excellent knowledge and understanding of biotechnology and biological processes, combined with knowledge of IT technology, water business and entrepreneurship.
Restoring natural feelings from missing or damaged peripheral nervous system by model-driven neuroprosthesis

Due to sensory loss diabetic patients are prone to falls and to foot ulcers, which consequently increase the risk of amputations. Because of the lack of sensory feedback amputees experience falls, perceive the prosthesis as a foreign body and therefore do not rely on it during walking. This causes counterbalancing movements that increase fatigue. Both types of patients suffer neuropathic pain, associable to aberrant sensory inputs. Neural pathways between the periphery and the brain are still functional above the damage or the amputation. Targeting these structures with peripheral neural interfaces could allow the restoration of natural sensory functionalities. The aim of project is to develop the first neuroprosthesis restoring natural foot sensations, through sciatic nerve stimulation, to patients with diabetic neuropathy or leg amputation. To that aim we will develop a detailed computational model of the sensory loop of the sciatic nerve. It will merge the electrical stimulation effects on sensory fibers and transduction of mechanical deformations of the skin into action potentials. Modelling results will be validated. Applying this modeling framework we will optimize the geometry of a peripheral neural interface, its surgical placement and define stimulation protocols that mimic natural sensory feedback responses. Effective device for feedback restoration will be constructed, able to translate the signals recorded by sensorized sole placed under the prosthetic or diabetic foot into the natural foot sensations perceived by subject. The interventional tools for embodiment boosting and pain relief will be developed. Clinical tests on amputee and diabetic subjects will assess the efficacy of the FeelAgain conceptual and technological framework by examination of pain, embodiment, ulcer prevention, falls avoidance and walking ability.
Therapy of birch pollen allergy by apple consumption

In Central Europe, 20% of the population are affected by pollen allergy. This percentage is rising steadily, also in Tyrol and South Tyrol. An efficient therapy consists of a long-term hyposensibilisation against the birch pollen allergen Bet v1 by pluriennal uptake of synthetic compounds, in order to adapt the human immune system to Bet v

1. In comparison, it would be of upmost advantage to induce a hyposensibilisation through simple uptake of food. Due to their highly similar composition and structure, the birch pollen allergen Bet v1 and the apple allergen Mal d1 cause a strong cross-reaction in the human body. This cross-reaction provides an opportunity to use apples in a controlled and established dosage to cure pollen allergy. _x000D_
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A transnational approach combining different research competences in medicine, molecular biology and structural chemistry will identify those apple varieties and dosages that are necessary for a successful therapy of pollen allergy. This interdisciplinary synergy will be used to establish an interregional database of allergy patients and to identify those fruits that are best suited for both a low-allergen diet and as a sustainable remedy for allergies. Last but not least, these results will promote the cross-border innovation potential.
WATER BALLASTED WAVE ATTENUATOR

This invention relates to a novel water ballasted wave attenuator that can be used to diminish or eliminate the impact of waves on shorelines or objects located in or on water bodies. A water ballasted wave attenuator comprising: (a) a hollow shell formed of reinforced concrete; (b) a flotation medium disposed in the upper region of the interior of the reinforced concrete shell (a); (c) an air chamber disposed below the flotation medium (b) in the lower region of the interior of the reinforced concrete shell; and, (d) at least one water vent located in the interior of the reinforced concrete shell (a), said vent connecting the interior of the shell with the exterior of the shell.
Promoting live music in the UK: a behind-the-scenes ethnography

Live music promoters have hitherto been academically neglected (and often publicly maligned) individuals and organisations. This thesis, then, shifts the academic focus from the recording industries towards live music and towards the figures behind-the-scenes who connect artist, audience and venue in the live music environment. To do so, this work explores the practices and experiences of promoters in the UK; it focuses on Glasgow, Sheffield, and Bristol, and is based on ethnographic research at case study venues. The thesis offers a phenomenological perspective on what promoters do and why, and their role as mediator with key figures such as artists and agents, as well as their relationships with the state. It argues that promoters are cultural investors (and exploiters), importers and innovators who both shape and are shaped by the live music ecology within which they operate. Finally, the thesis examines the three stages of the promotional process – planning, publicity, production – to argue that promoters are key figures not only in the construction of the musical lives of contemporary British citizens, but also in the rich cultural (and economic) ecology of cities, towns and villages in the UK.