SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Control of activity patterns in crowded groups of male noble crayfish Astacus astacus (Crustacea, Astacidea) by light regimes: A way to increase the efficiency of crayfish production?

Abstract Most crayfish species exhibit behavioral traits (solitary lifestyle, high aggressiveness, establishment of social hierarchies) which in intensive aquaculture systems result in low survival due to cannibalism and reduced overall growth. In addition to selective breeding programs, this situation may be improved by identifying culture conditions (e.g., light regimes) which can alleviate the negative impact of specific behavioral patterns on an effective crayfish production. The present experiments demonstrate a pronounced nocturnality of male noble crayfish Astacus astacus. The circadian system seems to be of rather little relevance to the daily pattern of the collective activity in crowded crayfish groups. Parameters of the light regime (the L/D-ratio of 24-h light–dark cycles, light intensity, background illumination during nighttime) were shown to have a crucial and immediate influence on (i) the daily temporal pattern of activity, (ii) the ‘effective density’ (density of individuals which are simultaneously active), and (iii) the overall daily amount of activity. Except for individuals at the verge of molting, activities were restricted to the scotophase, largely independent of the LD-ratio. The effective density was negatively, the overall daily amount of activity positively, correlated with the length of the scotophase. Both parameters decreased significantly under a dim nocturnal background illumination. An optimal combination of high overall daily activity and low effective density was found under a short-day photoperiod of LD 8:16. As in the long run overall daily amount of activity and effective density may be relevant to growth and survival, respectively, manipulations of the light regime are suggested to be a promising approach to improve the efficiency of a commercial crayfish production. The present results may be useful in designing appropriate long-term experiments which actually measure survival and growth. Statement of relevance Light as potential factor to improve production in RASs.
On the efficiency of Influence-and-Exploit strategies for revenue maximization under positive externalities

Abstract The mitigated effectiveness of traditional forms of advertising along with winner-take-all phenomena caused by globalization and the Internet necessitates a new approach in marketing. Hartline et al. (2008) [16] introduced a marketing model for social networks, where a seller is trying to exploit positive externalities between the buyers and to maximize his revenue by designing an intelligent series of individualized offers. Under this setting, we study the problem of revenue maximization and mostly focus on Influence-and-Exploit (IE) marketing strategies. We show that in undirected social networks, revenue maximization is NP-hard not only when we search for an optimal marketing strategy, but also when we search for the best IE strategy. Rather surprisingly, we observe that allowing IE strategies to offer prices smaller than the myopic price in the exploit step leads to a significant improvement on their performance. Thus, we show that the best IE strategy approximates the maximum revenue within a factor of 0.911 for undirected and of roughly 0.553 for directed social networks. Utilizing a connection between good IE strategies and large cuts in the underlying social network, we obtain polynomial-time algorithms that approximate the revenue of the best IE strategy within a factor of roughly 0.9. Hence, we significantly improve on the best known approximation ratio for revenue maximization to 0.8229 for undirected and to 0.5011 for directed networks (from 2/3 and 1/3, respectively).
Relative and absolute pressure sensor combined on chip

A shallow 220 and a deep 230 cavity are etched in a wafer 210 and a top wafer 510 is applied and thinned for forming first respectively second membranes 262, 272 over the shallow and deep cavities. Back grinding of the wafer 210 exposes deep cavity 230 but not the shallow cavity 220 to form a first sensor 260 for measuring an absolute pressure with respect to the evacuated shallow cavity 220 and a second sensor 270 for measuring a relative pressure applied across the membrane 272. A gas flow sensor housing for accommodating the combined sensor comprises first and second cavities 1460, 1470 exposed to each side of the relative pressure sensor for measuring pressure differences generated by a gas flow (fig 14).
The impact of lighting on drivers well-being and safety in very long underground roads: New challenges for new infrastructures

Abstract Lighting installations in underground roads and tunnels have been focused on the classical problems of road tunnels, that is, provide high luminance levels ensuring a correct visual adaptation of drivers during daytime and, hence, a safe driving and underground transport. The achievement of such levels with a minimum consumption in energy and raw materials, has become an active field of research during the last years. However, this line of work is mainly focused on tunnels, that rarely exceed two kilometers long. The increasing number of very long underground roads (VLUR) like those under rivers and seas, has enhanced the importance of some factors directly related to well-being and highly influenced by the lighting and visual conditions. These factors, that go from higher stress and anxiety to more distraction or fear, seriously impair safety and constitute a new challenge for designers of lighting installations. In this work, some of these problems and their potential solutions will be analyzed and the conclusions presented.
Innovative & integrated security system on board covering the life cycle of a passenger ships voyage

ISOLA project combines state-of-the-art technologies blended with novel solutions to enhance the Situational Awareness and support the assigned Ship Security Officer & Crew to the execution of their duties especially to the Ship Security Plan. The suggested system is contextually aligned and harmonised with the existing regulations. Constraints to integration will also be looked at with attention given to key architecture framework criteria: standardisation, interoperability, openness, flexibility, adaptability, ability to evolve, scalability, modularity, simplicity, usability, robustness, information management, decision support and mission effectiveness, and legacy integration. ISOLA develops, integrates, tests, deploys, demonstrates and validates a systematic and fully automated security approach by incorporating innovative technologies for sensing, monitoring, data fusion, alarming and reporting real-time during illegal incidents. This will ensure high level of security among all the passengers of the ship and augmentation of the Ship Security Plan.  The main objectives of ISOLA are: (i) to create strategies and methods in order to a ship to easily integrated solutions regarding passengers and crew safety in the existing ship systems; (ii) to propose innovative sensor and visual technologies to support security safety; (iii) to create a complex collaborative system for monitoring and detecting security incidents and events; (iv) to create early warning methods for the ship security crew to prevent security issues; (v) to collect incident evidences by exploiting the Augmented Reality; (vi) to allow easy engagement of different authorities in a ship related crisis; (vii) to model, classify and easily report a security event.
Automated detection of retinal disorders from OCT images using artificial neural network

The advent of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging has engendered a quantum leap in ophthalmological disease diagnosis. Specifically, in relation to various retinal disorders, OCT has facilitated visualization of minute structural changes in retinal and choroid layers. However, due to dearth of ophthalmologists, and time and effort required in manual analysis, a large number of patients fail to enjoy the full benefit of OCT-based diagnosis. Against this backdrop, we propose to automate detection of retinal disorders so as to reduce clinicians' burden per patient, and hence increase access to such eyecare. In this regard, we demonstrated automated diagnosis using an artificial neural network (ANN) classifier. In the process, we demonstrated the importance of choroidal features in addition to the usual age, gender and retinal features in improving detection performance. Specifically, using a dataset of 169 normal and diseased images each, upon Monte Carlo cross validation we obtained sensitivity, specificity and accuracy levels of 99.02 ± 1.57%, 98.29 ± 1.68% and 98.65 ± 1.09%, respectively.
Novel compound rotary engine range extender for electric vehicles

This project seeks to successfully demonstrate and scale up for market readiness, a novel, high efficiency, low emission, compact rotary engine range extender for electric vehicles. 

Electric vehicles (EV) are emerging as the future of transport as they break the dependence on fossil fuels and offer significant advantages in terms of noise and local air pollution. However, uptake has been poor so far due to range anxiety. As a result, while 44% of drivers consider emissions & environmental friendliness as important factors when buying a car, only 5% would consider buying an electric car due to range concerns. 

Automotive manufacturers have addressed this issue through the installation of range extender engines. However, existing extenders tend to be too large with poor power density, limiting their use in small commercial and domestic vehicles where space is at a premium.. The clear business opportunity is to provide tier 1 automotive powertrain providers and OEMs with breakthrough innovation in EV range extender technology that significantly improves power density whilst providing  high efficiency, low emissions, low noise and low vibration to meet consumer needs. 

Our solution, CREEV, takes the inherent advantages of rotary (Wankel) type engines for such compact applications and applies patent protected innovations to overcome efficiency and reliability issues to deliver an engine exactly matched to OEM needs.

Our breakthrough solution is lab tested/demonstrated. The Phase 1 feasibility study report has already been accepted and this DSI Phase 2 funding application builds on this success. 

With the market for EVs in Europe growing 1300% in the last 2 years, CREEV offers a market opportunity worth an estimated €79m over 6 years. Our management team has over 100 years’ experience in engine technology and strong links with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, ensuring market success.
Nation-State as Symbolic Construct

Research on nationalism has been especially preoccupied with those aspects of the phenomenon that are most destabilizing for existing institutions, thereby assuming that in the absence of violent upheavals, nationalism in established democracies is simply a fait accompli rather than a source of continued social and political change. In contrast, more recent studies have turned their attention to everyday forms of nationalism, arguing that the primacy of the nation-state as a unit of political governance and collective identification is continually reinforced – and sometimes subtly altered – through routine cognitive and affective orientations that are themselves products of institutional and ritual practices. This article provides an analytical overview of this literature, identifying its contributions, limitations, and potential for achieving a more complete understanding of nationalism in contemporary societies.
What’s in a Name? Possible Ways Forward in the Macedonian Name Dispute

To download this article, click here . This paper provides an overview of the complex, 26-year-long name dispute between Macedonia/FYROM and Greece. It argues that the name talks have always been asymmetrical, with Greece dictating the terms due to its leverage over the Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia/FYROM. It also argues that this asymmetrical nature of the talks can be and has been mitigated by international pressure on Athens to compromise. The paper presents a strong correlation between constructive behaviour by Macedonia/FYROM and international sympathy towards its position throughout the years. This correlation indicates that the unmitigated optimism of the new Macedonian government about reaching a favourable compromise in 2018 through ‘behaving’ may not be entirely unwarranted.
Dynamics of molecular interactions with ions

Being able to clarify the atomistic dynamics of molecular collisions and chemical reactions has been a central research goal for decades. For reactions of charged particles in particular, the importance of quantum dynamics is barely understood, as quantum state-resolved experiments beyond total cross section measurement are very challenging and most theoretical descriptions still rely on quasi-classical approaches. In particular, quantum scattering resonances, known by now to be relevant in a few well-studied neutral molecule reactions, have never been observed for ion-molecule collisions up to now. In the past years we have spearheaded research on crossed-beam reactive scattering of ions with neutral molecules. Our measured differential scattering cross sections could provide detailed insight into the dynamics of polyatomic reactions and allowed us to discover several new reaction mechanisms. In this project, we propose a novel experimental approach to achieve a multifold improved resolution for the scattering images, which will allow us to answer several key questions: Which product quantum states are populated in molecular ions that are produced in three- and four-atom reactions? How do quantum scattering resonances influence the collision dynamics and the product state distribution? Which momentum vector correlations govern the three-body break-up in ion-neutral reactions and which transition states are responsible for these dynamics? How are ionic reactions contributing to the radiation damage of biological molecules in cells? Our proposed experimental approach can answer these questions and will thereby reach a new domain for the investigation of ion-molecule reactions with unprecedented quantum state control for three- and four-atom reactions and highly differential insight into polyatomic reactions.
The Determinants of Innovation Capacity in the Less Innovative Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

This paper investigates the innovation capacity driving factors in 11 Euro-Mediterranean countries for the period 2000–2012. The countries are chosen according to its capacity for innovation index and the availability of statistics. Our robust estimation is based on the one-step system generalized method of moments (GMM). We found that the most of hypothesis elaborated in the context of developed and emerging countries do not fit with the context of the less innovative countries as they are not knowledge-based economies. The economic growth, the foreign investment (FDI), and the employment in R&D are positive factors that foster the innovation. However, the labor force with tertiary education, the wages, the private funding of R&D, the financial development, and the technological infrastructure are negative factors that deter the innovation. Moreover, this study bridges a gap in the extant literature by examining the main determinants of the innovation capacity in the developing countries located in the same region. Neither this sample of the countries nor this time period has been the subject of investigation by other researchers in the literature.
Development and promotion of Cluster for development and training of dentists

The cluster for the development and training of dentists and medical practitioners was founded in 2015 to bring together companies with similar and complementary activities. For the second year on the market, the association has managed to establish itself as a brand in research in the field of dentistry and conducting specialised trainings in this field.  The cluster currently carries out trainings, clinical trials, research and development, sharing know-how.
Platform for Dynamic Adaptation of Learning Content for Pervasive Learning Environments

With the evolution and convergence of wireless technologies, mobile devices and sensors, the mobile and ubiquitous learning have appeared next to the e-learning. Far from being simple extensions of distance learning, they pose several challenges. Most of learning content used in learning platforms are built to be consumed on broadband networks and powerful terminals. However, technological advances have allowed their access over low-flow wireless networks, and terminals with limited resources such as ubiquitous and mobile devices. With this type of access, there is a strong need for learning content adaptation systems. Our work focuses on pervasive learning environments which are the new trends of distant learning and proposes to solve a big range of constraints posed by the use of various technologies in learning. We are interested in studying the various limitations of learning in pervasive environments and the development of a platform for dynamic adaptation of learning content, taking into account the challenges posed by the evolving learning context.Keywordsm-learningu-learningp-learningContextAdaptation of ContentMPEG-21 DIA UED
Scientific Opinion on an application by DOW AgroSciences LLC (EFSA‐GMO‐NL‐2010‐89) for placing on the market the genetically modified herbicide‐tolerant maize DAS‐40278‐9 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003

Maize DAS-40278-9 was developed by direct Whiskers-mediated transformation to express the aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase-1 (AAD-1) protein, conferring tolerance to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) herbicides. The molecular characterisation of maize DAS-40278-9 did not raise safety issues. The agronomic, phenotypic and compositional characteristics of maize DAS-40278-9 tested under field conditions revealed no differences between maize DAS-40278-9 and its non-genetically modified (GM) comparator that would give rise to food and feed or environmental safety concerns. There were no concerns regarding the potential toxicity and allergenicity of the newly expressed protein AAD-1, and no evidence that the genetic modification might significantly change the overall allergenicity of maize DAS-40278-9. The nutritional characteristics of maize DAS-40278-9 are not expected to differ from those of non-GM maize varieties and no post-market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. Maize DAS-40278-9 is as nutritious as its non-GM comparator and other non-GM commercial varieties. There are no indications of an increased likelihood of establishment and spread of occasional feral maize DAS-40278-9 plants, unless these plants are exposed to the intended herbicides. However, this will not result in different environmental impacts compared to conventional maize. Considering the scope of the application, interactions with the biotic and abiotic environment were not considered an issue. Risks associated with the unlikely but theoretically possible horizontal gene transfer from maize DAS-40278-9 to bacteria were not identified. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the scope of the application. In conclusion, the EFSA GMO Panel considers that the information available for maize DAS-40278-9 addresses the scientific comments raised by the Member States and that maize DAS-40278-9, as described in this application, is as safe as the non-GM comparator and non-GM maize reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of the scope of this application.
Short-Term and Long-Term Cell Outage Compensation Using UAVs in 5G Networks

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has gained interest in wireless networks for its many uses and advantages such as rapid deployment and multi-purpose functionality. This is why wide deployment of UAVs has the potential to be integrated in the upcoming 5G standard. They can be used as flying base-stations, which can be deployed in case of ground Base-Stations (GBSs) failures. Such failures can be short-term or longterm. Based on the type and duration of the failure, we propose a framework that uses drones or helikites to mitigate GBS failures. Our proposed short-term and long-term cell outage compensation framework aims to mitigate the effect of the failure of any GBS in 5G networks. Within our framework, outage compensation is done with the assistance of sky BSs (UAVs), An optimization problem is formulated to jointly minimize communication power of the UAVs and maximize the minimum rates of the Users' Equipment (UEs) affected by the failure. Also, the optimal placement of the UAVs is determined. Simulation results show that the proposed framework guarantees the minimum quality of service for each UE in addition to minimizina the UAVs' consumed energy,
SELF-SMOOTHING DECORATIVE RESIN FLOORING SYSTEM

A method for covering a substrate, such as a concrete or masonry floor with a seamless self-smoothing surface covering comprising the application of a base coat of a first self-smoothing settable material to the substrate, allowing the base coat to partially set or cure, and then applying one or more subsequent coats of contrasting settable materials and allowing the composite surface to set or cure. The resultant surface coated substrates are also claimed.
Automatic generation of MedDRA terms groupings using an ontology.

In the context of PROTECT European project, we have developed an ontology of adverse drug reactions (OntoADR) based on the original MedDRA hierarchy and a query-based method to achieve automatic MedDRA terms groupings for improving pharmacovigilance signal detection. Those groupings were evaluated against standard handmade MedDRA groupings corresponding to first priority pharmacovigilance safety topics. Our results demonstrate that this automatic method allows catching most of the terms present in the reference groupings, and suggest that it could offer an important saving of time for the achievement of pharmacovigilance groupings. This paper describes the theoretical context of this work, the evaluation methodology, and presents the principal results.
Long‐Term Evaluation of Cross‐Sex Hormone Treatment in Transsexual Persons

Long-term effects and side effects of cross-sex hormone treatment in transsexual persons are not well known.The aim of this study is to describe the effects and side effects of cross-sex hormone therapy in both transsexual men and women.Hormone levels were measured by immunoassays. Physical health was assessed by physical examination and questionnaires on general health and specific side effects, areal bone parameters by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.Single center cross-sectional study in 100 transsexual persons post-sex reassignment surgery and on average 10 years on cross-sex hormone therapy.Transsexual men did not experience important side effects such as cardiovascular events, hormone-related cancers, or osteoporosis. In contrast, a quarter of the transsexual women had osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and radius. Moreover, 6% of transsexual women experienced a thromboembolic event and another 6% experienced other cardiovascular problems after on average 11.3 hormone treatment years. None of the transsexual women experienced a hormone-related cancer during treatment.Cross-sex hormone treatment appears to be safe in transsexual men. On the other hand, a substantial number of transsexual women suffered from osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and distal arm. Twelve percent of transsexual women experienced thromboembolic and/or other cardiovascular events during hormone treatment, possibly related to older age, estrogen treatment, and lifestyle factors. In order to decrease cardiovascular morbidity, more attention should be paid to decrease cardiovascular risk factors during hormone therapy management.