SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Pollen and mammals from the late Early Pleistocene site of Saticula (Sant'Agata de' Goti, Benevento, Italy)

Abstract A fluvio-lacustrine succession was discovered in 1995 at Saticula, near Sant'Agata de' Goti (Benevento), below a thick volcaniclastic deposit sealed by the “Ignimbrite Campana” formation (39 ka). Vertebrate fossil remains and pollen were recovered in the excavated sections. Pollen analysis allowed recognition of two pollen zones, the first being characterised by a Quercus-Carya mixed deciduous forest which was probably present in the plain and on the slopes surrounding the Caudina valley basin. The following samples record a drastic decrease in Carya pollen grains and the contemporary increase in herbs and Pinus. A more open environment established around the river shores due to a climate shift towards dryer conditions. Most of the vertebrate remains were found in the upper portion of the succession corresponding to the zone with reduced Carya pollen. The fossil mammal assemblage includes Hippopotamus antiquus, Axis eurygonos, Megacerini indet., Equus suessenbornensis and Stephanorhinus cf. S. hundsheimensis. In addition, a partial unerupted molar of an elephantid, two hyena coprolites and fragments of rodent teeth were identified. The high amount of Carya at the base of the succession represents the most peculiar feature of the Saticula floral record and was used as a reference for its chronological constraint. Comparison with other Italian pollen successions allowed the Saticula record to be tentatively ascribed to the late Early Pleistocene. After that period, Carya was never recorded in such high amounts and gradually disappeared from the Italian flora following a heterochronous latitudinal gradient. The Saticula mammal assemblage is in agreement with the chronological framework suggested by pollen data.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY AIDING NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM SOLUTION

The present invention is related to position calculation and navigation systems, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for making accuracy improvements to a GPS receiver's navigation solutions. According to a first aspect, selective cartography information from a map database accessed by a GPS receiver from a location-aiding device is integrated into the position calculations performed by the GPS receiver. According to another aspect, selective cartography information includes indices representing associated attributes of geographical objects, such as, a width-indicator index for a road segment.
Revealing the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the visual perception of social interactions

“Social perception” has emerged as an umbrella term to describe research addressing the visual perception of others. To date, this discipline has focused on the perception of individuals; for example, researchers have examined the visual processing of faces and facial expressions, body shapes and postures, actions and kinematics. The resulting body of research suggests that social stimuli are detected by specialised mechanisms, recruit dedicated perceptual models, and are processed by particular neural substrates. However, while social perception research has made considerable progress elucidating the visual perception of individuals, virtually nothing is known about the visual perception of social interactions; how we detect, encode, and interpret visual displays of social interactions viewed from third-person perspectives. Given the adaptive value of accurate interaction interpretation, this paucity of knowledge represents a remarkable gap in our understanding of social perception. POINTS will develop a battery of original behavioural and neuroimaging paradigms to reveal the neurocognitive mechanisms that mediate this essential form of social perception. The overarching objective of POINTS will be achieved by addressing five research questions: 1) Do observers exhibit evidence of interaction detection mechanisms? 2) How do we process fleeting visual displays of social interactions? 3) How do we represent dynamic interaction change? 4) Do specialised neural substrates mediate interaction perception? 5) Do some observers exhibit impaired interaction perception? The POINTS project represents a significant step-change in social perception research. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction perception will provide new insights into the organisation of the human visual system, and will inform attempts to remediate socio-cognitive and perceptual deficits in neurodevelopmental populations, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
ECO-TOURISM: Places and Traditions

The operation “Ecotourism: Places and Traditions” is aimed at exchanging experiences, developing joint guidelines and pilot activities for improving sustainable tourism in the partner regions These will focus on four main subjects: (1) PLACES, i.e. how to promote "minor" or less visited areas with respect to major places, also by creating and/or revitalising tourist routes; (2) TRADITIONS, i.e. how to preserve and exploit the territory and its unique historical and cultural heritage and traditions, with a view to developing sustainable tourism; (3) TECHNOLOGIES, i.e. how to extend the application of environmentally-friendly technologies in the provision of services to visitors and how to increase access and use of ICT in tourism; (4) PEOPLE, i.e. how to better involve residents and operators in tourism development activities. The partnership wants to improve the strategic formulation as well as the implementation methodology of tourism development policies. Further objectives are, inter alia, to develop a shared vision on the promotion of sustainable tourism, with special focus on activities supported under Objective 1 and 2 of the Structural Funds, and also including projects financed within the framework of the RECITE and Ecos-Ouverture programmes. The partners also want to test a new approach related to tourism development in selected sites of the participating regions through the implementation of pilot projects and stimulate the transfer of knowledge into other regions. The operation will result in a large-scale transfer of knowledge on tourism development policies, practices and experiences, strengthening the capacity of the participating authorities and improving tourism-related policies, including the environmental management of tourist areas. Guidelines will be produced and disseminated, visitor and institutional surveys will be carried out, and five pilot projects will test new approaches in the partner regions.
Alternate energy sources and environmental quality: The impact of inflation dynamics

In the past few years, the investigation into the case of ecological footprint and its determining factors has remained the core subject of debate among policy analysts. But some of the crucial determinants of ecological footprint have not been sufficiently covered in the literature. This study employed government expenditures, inflation dynamics, and economic growth from 1971 to 2016 as moderator variables to examine the impact of alternative energy sources on Germany’s environmental quality. We applied advanced econometric methodologies for empirical analysis. The results of fully modified least squares, dynamic least squares, and robust canonical cointegrating regressions indicate that alternative energy sources, government expenditures, and inflation are negatively associated while economic growth is positively associated with the environmental quality in Germany. Policymakers are encouraged to eliminate subsidies for domestic coal productions, promote cost-efficient ecological policy designs, price environmental resources, intensify green budget, decouple economic growth from the harmful emissions, and generate a trade-off between stabilizing inflation and stabilizing fluctuations through a sustainable monetary policy.
Production of spin-finish-free drawn fibers

Process for producing spin-finish-free man-made fibers by melt spinning high polymers having a glass transition temperature of above 100 DEG C. and subsequently drawing the filaments by means of preheater godets to a preset draw ratio, wherein the filaments are not spin-finished prior to drawing but are impinged with a liquid which can evaporate residuelessly during drawing and the temperature of the preheater godet is set not less than 40 DEG C. higher than in the conventional process with spin finish application.
BIODIESEL GLYCEROL EMULSION FUEL MIXTURES

The invention provides fuel mixtures containing biodiesel oil, glycerol, glycerol soluble compounds, surfactants and additives. The fuel mixtures are uniform, remain suspended in solution, and are resistant to phase separation. Upon combustion, the mixtures generate reduced CO, CO2, SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions compared to petroleum fuels and offer improved engine performance over petroleum and water mixtures.
The Averaging Effect of Odorant Mixing as Determined by Air Dilution Sensory Tests: A Case Study on Reduced Sulfur Compounds

To learn more about the effects of mixing different odorants, a series of air dilution sensory (ADS) tests were conducted using four reduced sulfur compounds [RSC: hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), methanethiol (CH(3)SH), dimethylsulfide (DMS), and dimethyldisulfide (DMDS)] at varying concentration levels. The tests were initially conducted by analyzing samples containing single individual RSCs at a wide range of concentrations. The resulting data were then evaluated to define the empirical relationship for each RSC between the dilution-to-threshold (D/T) ratio and odor intensity (OI) scaling. Based on the relationships defined for each individual RSC, the D/T ratios were estimated for a synthetic mixture of four RSCs. The effect of mixing was then examined by assessing the relative contribution of each RSC to those estimates with the aid of the actually measured D/T values. This stepwise test confirmed that the odor intensity of the synthetic mixture is not governed by the common theoretical basis (e.g., rule of additivity, synergism, or a stronger component model) but is best represented by the averaged contribution of all RSC components. The overall results of this study thus suggest that the mixing phenomenon between odorants with similar chemical properties (like RSC family) can be characterized by the averaging effect of all participants.
PRECONDITIONER

The present invention relates to a preconditioner having a rectifier, arranged to receive an AC voltage from a voltage supply and to deliver a DC voltage (Vo) to a load, a switch mode power supply, arranged to control the current in the rectifier, and a control loop for feedback of the preconditioner output voltage (Vo) to the switch mode power supply, said control loop having a bandwidth greater than the voltage supply frequency. The feedback loop comprises a bandpass filter with a band pass center frequency equal to twice the source frequency, which is connected to said output voltage, and means for generating a feedback signal based on the output voltage and an output signal from said bandpass filter, which feedback signal has reduced ripple around the passband. By eliminating the ripple in the voltage feedback loop, the preconditioner does not waste energy in an attempt to control this ripple, which is inherently present from the AC source.
Tarifs discriminants et monopoles de l’eau potable : une analyse de la réaction des consommateurs face aux distorsions du signal-prix

L’approche des tarifs de l’eau potable en France a changé depuis 2010, puisque les collectivités peuvent recourir à des tarifs progressifs croissants par blocs. Ces tarifs, bien qu’initialement conçus comme des solutions de second rang aux pertes sèches du monopole, se révèlent complexes à mettre en œuvre pour satisfaire d’autres objectifs. La réaction sous-optimale des consommateurs au signal-prix et les problématiques de redistribution questionnent l’efficacité du mécanisme. Cette contribution analyse théoriquement les propriétés d’un tarif progressif, puis évalue empiriquement la réaction des consommateurs au signal-prix à partir d’une expérience naturelle menée à Dunkerque. Les résultats indiquent une bonne réaction au prix marginal des consommateurs situés dans les tranches extrêmes, tout en questionnant l’équité d’un mécanisme fortement distorsif. Classification JEL : D04, D42, D63, D22.
Innovative robotic applications for highly reconfigurable production lines - versatile

The recent trends of mass customization of products and lean approaches impacts production by a drastic reduction of
production lot sizes. However, traditional automation and robotics fail to be competitive in such a context since all individual
product variant would require a complete automation project. In addition, keeping up with the introduction of robots outside of
the traditional sectors require to automate much more complex manual tasks, where again traditional robotics automation
fails to provide a good ratio of cost vs robustness, mainly due to the rigidity of existing production equipment in terms of
programming and tools

The overall objective of the project is to provide a bridge for transferring, demonstrating and validating the latest R&D results
in robotics towards different industrial environments proving their applicability and effectiveness.
More specifically, VERSATILE will apply dual arm robots in executing complex tasks that are traditionally assigned to
humans due to their manipulation requirements. By providing the tools to quickly setup, program and operate innovative
robotic systems the end user will have robotic cells flexible enough to automatically adapt to the high number of products
variants.

In this context the project will focus on advancing the TRL level of the latest developments in the areas of:
- Perception for Operation in semi-structured environment
- Easy Programming framework to improve the re-configurability/ programmability of the robotic systems
- Mobile dual-arm robotics manipulation capabilities
- Open frameworks for the ‘Plug and Produce’ based coordination of these resources

This will be investigated in three industry driven use cases including both static and mobile dual arm robots. The project will
focus on three main applications:
- Automotive: assembly of vehicle dashboards at PSA
- Aerospace: assembly of aircraft wing parts at AIRBUS
- Consumer goods: handling and packaging of shaver handles at BIC
Corporate Social Capital and Liability

Introduction: CSC: The Structure of Advantage and Disadvantage S.M. Gabbay, R.Th.A.J. Leenders. Section I: Conceptual Issues - Theory, Models, and Measurement. 1. Organizational Networks and Corporate Social Capital D. Knoke. 2. Social Capital of Organization: Conceptualization, Level of Analysis, and Performance Implications J.M. Pennings, K. Lee. 3. A Relational Resource Perspective on Social Capital L. Araujo, G. Easton. 4. Social Capital by Design: Structures, Strategies, and Institutional Context W.E. Baker, D. Obstfeld. 5. Corporate Social Capital and Liability: a Conditional Approach to Three Consequences of Corporate Social Structure I. Talmud. 6. Dimensions of Corporate Social Capital: Toward Models and Measures S.-K. Han, R.L. Breiger. 7. Organizational Standing as Corporate Social Capital P. Doreian. 8. Customer Service Dyads: Diagnosing Emperical Buyer - Seller Interactions along Gaming Profiles in a Dyadic Parametric Space D. Iacobucci. Section II: Structure at the Individual Level - Social Capital in Jobs and Careers. 9. The Sidekick Effect: Mentoring Relationships and the Development of Social Capital M. Higgins, N. Nohria. 10. Social Capital in Internal Staffing Practices P.V. Marsden, E.H. Gorman. 11. Getting a Job as a Manager H. Flap, E. Boxman. 12. The Changing Value of Social Capital in an Expanding Social System: Lawyers in the Chicago Bar, 1975 and 1995 R.L. Sandefur, et al. Section III: Structure at the Individual Level -- Social Capital and Management. 13. Generalized Exchange and Economic Performance: Social Embeddedness of Labor Contracts in a Corporate Law Partnership E. Lazega. 14. CEO Demographics and Acquisitions: Network Effects of Educational and Functional Background P.R. Haunschild, et al. 15. Public Service Organizations -- Social Networks and Social Capital E. Ferlie. 16. The Dark Side of Social Capital M. Gargiulo, M. Benassi. 17. Social Capital, Social Liabilities, and Social Resources Management D.J. Brass, G. Labianca. Section IV: Structure at the Firm Level -- Social Capital in Collaboration and Alliances. 18. The Triangle: Roles of the Go-Between B. Nooteboom. 19. The Management of Social Capital in R&D Collaboration O. Omta, W. van Rossum. 20. Technological Prestige and the Accumulation of Alliance Capital T.E. Stuart. 21. Networks and Knowledge Production: Collaboration and Patenting in Biotechnology L. Smith-Doerr, et al. 22. Supply Network Strategy and Social Capital C. Harland. Section V: Structure at the Firm Level -- Social Capital and Financial Capital. 23. Choosing Ties from the Inside of a Prism: Egocentric Uncertainty and Status in Venture Capital Markets J.M. Podolny, F. Castellucci. 24. Corporate Social Capital and the Cost of Financial Capital: An Embeddedness Approach B. Uzzi, J.J. Gillespie. 25. Venture Capital as an Economy of Time J. Freeman. Conclusion. References. Index. Contributors. Editors.
Catalytic reforming of glycerol to hydrogen and biopropane in hydrothermal media

The ultimate goal of this 15 months Fellowship, entitled “Catalytic Reforming of Glycerol to Hydrogen and Biopropane in Hydrothermal Media” (HYDROGAS) is to train a talented researcher through a research project focused on the development of novel process to make viable the use of the glycerol co-product derived during the use of vegetable oils for the production of liquid hydrocarbon biofuels.. This innovative HYDROGAS project aims to investigate for the first time the potential of a novel two-stage catalytic process to produce hydrogen and biopropane from catalytic reforming of glycerol in hydrothermal media. The two-stage approach would enable deriving all the hydrogen requirements for the HEFA by using glycerol as a hydrogen-source. This can contribute to a positive process economics for the HEFA bio-jet fuel production. The transfer of knowledge between the researcher, the host, the supervisor, the students and international research groups will be very important for the dissemination of the learning through training, publications in journals of high impact factor, development of patent and participation in international conferences. The Fellow will receive access to an innovative project experience at the host: Sustainable Chemicals Laboratory in the European Bioenergy Research Institute, Aston University, UK (Dr. Jude Onwudili), and at academic secondment partner: University of Zaragoza, Spain (Prof Lucia Garcia). HYDROGAS aims to investigate the development of a new methodology to produce biopropane for a large-scale deployment in substitution for petroleum-based LPG that can contribute to lowering carbon emissions. In addition, the thermodynamic study to consolidate the catalytic reforming from crude glycerol will be a positive challenge for this team to work together and evaluate the expected results. The HYDROGAS will permeate the whole fellowship and will be a valuable and challenging mixture of scientific research and training for the Fellow.
Virtual Hadoop

Hadoop is a widely used software framework for handling massive data. As heterogeneous computing gains its momentum, variants of Hadoop have been developed to offload the computation of the Hadoop applications onto the heterogeneous processors, such as GPUs, DSPs, and FPGA. Unfortunately, these variants do not support on-demand resource scaling for the deadline-aware applications in a sophisticated heterogeneous computing environment. In this work, we developed a framework called Virtual Hadoop, which scales out the required computing resources for the applications automatically to meet the given real-time requirements. We extended the methods of resource inference and allocation for the heterogeneous computing environments. On top of these methods, an auto-scaling mechanism was developed to dynamically allocate resources on-demand based on profile data and performance models for the application execution to meet the given time requirements. In addition, Virtual Hadoop can utilize Docker containers to facilitate the auto-scaling mechanism, where a container encapsulates a Hadoop node with the capability to leverage heterogeneous computing engines. Our experimental results reveal the efficiency of Virtual Hadoop, and hopefully the experiences and discussion presented in this paper will ease the adoption of heterogeneous computing for efficient big data processing.
Contract solutions for effective and lasting delivery of agri-environmental-climate public goods by eu agriculture and forestry

The objective of CONSOLE is to boost innovation in the lasting delivery of agri-environmental-climate public goods (AECPGs) by EU agriculture and forestry. To achieve this objective, CONSOLE builds a Community of Practice (CoP) to cocreate an empirically validated contractual framework, design and test effective and efficient contract models and support their implementation by multiple actors. The CONSOLE multi-actor and multidisciplinary team brings together 24 partners in 13 countries, covering representative typologies of actors involved in AECPGs contracts design and implementation (farmer organisations, regional administrations, consultancy companies, research institutions and water and forest management bodies). The CONSOLE framework will allow improved design and facilitate implementation of innovative contract solutions for the provision of AECPGs under various conditions across the EU. The CONSOLE framework includes: a) a catalogue showcasing successful experiences and good practices in AECPGs contracting and cooperation models; b) improved AECPGs contracts solutions and their assessment for different levels of governance; c) a comprehensive guide to the process for the design of AECPGs contracts; d) documentation, training and supporting materials. CONSOLE includes a comprehensive analysis of at least 52 case studies of existing experiences encompassing land tenure arrangements, result-based approaches, collective implementation and value chain-based remuneration, supported by surveys and modelling. Building upon these experiences, improved contract solutions will be developed in collaboration with the CoP. The CONSOLE framework will be tested in real decision-making contexts and will develop into a supporting tool for actors in the field, enabling the delivery and sustainability of AECPGs. Insights will improve policy design towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular through environmental policies and the post-2020 CAP.
Functionally graded WC–Ti(C,N)–(Ta,Nb)C–Co hardmetals: Metallurgy and performance

Abstract The thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of tailoring the near-surface zones of functionally graded hardmetals (FGHM) by nitrogen management are described and summarised. Since, as a result of the development process, industrial production as well as a broad usage as cutting tools is aimed, the focus is put on testing of coated FGHM substrates. Testing was performed by individual in-house tests, systematic tests in an application laboratory as well as in a production environment (turning of stamping punches). FGHM grades with carbonitride-enriched surface zones proved to outperform other grades significantly. Diamond coatings on FGHMs show excellent adhesion as well as abrasion resistance, actually the best of all tested grades. In continuous turning operations of steel, both flank and crater wear resistance were improved significantly, and the tool life almost doubled in FGHM grades which show a carbonitride-enriched near-surface zone.