SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Networking for Smart Tourism Development

NEST is a cross-border project aimed to sustain the competitiveness of the Ionic-Adriatic destination by empowering Tourism Enterprises (small and medium ones) with innovative approaches, tools and strategies that leverage on the potentialities of digital technologies, networking and collaboration.

The project aims to sustain the process of socio-economic development in the IPA area, in coherence with priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy, by contributing to Programme Objective SO 

2.1: Boost attractiveness of natural and cultural assets to improve a smart and sustainable economic development.

NEST will operate as an experiential laboratory and engine for nurturing competitiveness of SMTEs and destinations on global markets, by allowing to overcome barriers related to the adoption of digital technologies and innovation.

The achievement of such objectives will derive from the realization of the following outputs: Tourism competitiveness assessment; Booklet on tools and technologies for smart tourism destination; Action Plan for creation of smart tourism destination; Virtual joint experiential laboratory for smart tourism; Smart tourism entrepreneurial development roadmap; Update and upscale of skills for tourism entrepreneurs; Smart destination pilot sites.

NEST will favour the creation of a strategic model of “Interreg smart destination” by adopting  collaborative and user-driven innovation models inspired by the principles of Living Lab approach.
Urban population agglomeration in view of complex ecological niche: A case study on Chinese prefecture cities

Abstract: Population agglomeration of a particular city provides evidence of its urbanization quality, as well as its appeal for immigration from rural areas to developed areas. The attractive factors for population agglomeration in urban areas are analyzed using a new perspective of the complex ecological niche (CEN). The CEN involves three groups of key elements: natural environment, economic flow and social culture. An indicator system was designed for the urban population CEN with three sub-CENs as second-level indicators, i.e., the environmental ecological niche, the social ecological niche and the economic ecological niche, each of which has five third-level measurable indicators. Another indicator was designed for evaluating the balance degree among the three sub-CENs. A case study of 220 Chinese cities during the years 2000–2011 was performed using the proposed indicators. The sub-CENs of this group of Chinese cities were positively correlated with the state of development of the cities. But the significance of the correlation was lower for the environmental ecological niche which changes less than the other two sub-CENs. The association between the three sub-CENs weakened most cities in south-eastern China, compared to cities elsewhere. Finally, analysis of the relationship between urban population agglomeration and the environmental ecological niche revealed by partial correlation analysis and regression analysis implied that there is a threshold in the development process of the environmental ecological niche. That threshold differentiates the negative and positive impacts upon urban agglomeration. Most Chinese cities are still in the negative phase.
Microbial fluxes of greenhouse gases (co2 and ch4) in karst ecosystems: comprehensive assessment and biogeochemical modelling

The assessment of carbon cycle in the Earth-climate system is one the highest challenge in science nowadays. It still remains some key knowledge gaps and uncertainties concerning the budgets of greenhouse gases (GHGs) at ecosystem scale and the key role of microbial communities. Karst ecosystems cover up to 25 % of the land surface and they are acting as rapid CH4 sink and as alternately CO2 source or sink. Pioneer results point to microbial action must be playing a crucial role in CO2 and CH4 uptake, fixation or production and maybe determining the strong variations of these major GHGs in karst ecosystems.
MIFLUKE will elucidate, for the first time, the role of karst microbiota in the main GHGs -CO2 and CH4- content and fluxes in underground vadose atmospheres, as a key challenge to clarify the accurate effective contribution of karst ecosystems to the global carbon cycle. By applying an innovative and multidisciplinary combination of a broad suite of advanced tools and cutting-edge technologies from very different research areas -GHGs flux monitoring, isotopic geochemical tracing, biogeochemistry, metagenomics, etc.- a biogeochemical model of microbial processes will be developed. This project will combine the expertise of a multidisciplinary group of leading researchers on ecosystem functioning, GHGs and biogeochemistry modelling, with the extraordinary resources including analytical facilities and training support in PLECO (Univ. Antwerp, Belgium).
The proposal represents an exceptional opportunity the candidate to acquire the essential skills that will open new career avenues and will convert her into a highly competitive European researcher. In turn, the fellow will bring specific expertise to PLECO that will open a new and promising research field.
This proposal directly addresses the cross-cutting priority of climate action established by H2020 Work Programme and will reinforce the already large European competitiveness in GHGs research and management.
Determining the instructive tissue signals and the master transcription factors driving kupffer cell differentiation

We have recently shown that contrary to common hypotheses, circulating monocytes can efficiently differentiate into Kupffer cells (KCs), the liver-resident macrophages. Using self-generated knock-in mice that allow specific KC depletion, we found that monocytes colonize the KC niche in a single wave upon KC depletion and rapidly differentiate into self-maintaining KCs that are transcriptionally and functionally identical to their embryonic counterparts. This implies that: (i) access to the KC niche is tightly regulated, ensuring that monocytes do not differentiate into KCs when the KC niche is full but differentiate very efficiently into KCs upon temporary niche availability, and (ii) imprinting by the KC niche is the dominant factor conferring KC identity. Understanding which cells represent the macrophage niche, which signals produced by these cells imprint the tissue-specific macrophage gene expression profile and through which transcription factors (TxFs) this is mediated is emerging as the next challenge in the field. We here propose an original strategy combining state-of-the-art in silico approaches and unique in vivo transgenic mouse models to tackle this challenge specifically for KCs, the most abundant macrophage in the body. We hypothesize that the liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) to which the KC is attached represents the most likely candidate to sense KC loss, recruit new monocytes and drive their differentiation into KCs. Thus, this proposal aims to: (I) determine the TxFs through which the niche imprints KC identity, (II) map the LSEC-KC crosstalk during KC development, (III) generate LSEC-specific knock-in mice to study LSECs in vivo, (IV) demonstrate which LSEC factors influence KC development and function. Importantly, understanding how the KC-TxFs and the LSEC-KC crosstalk control KC development and function will be essential for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for hepatic disorders in which KCs play a central role.
Set of medical instruments for placing and shifting knots during surgery

PCT No. PCT/EP95/00592 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 19, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 19, 1996 PCT Filed Feb. 18, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/22931 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 31, 1995A set of medical instruments for placing and shifting knots produced with surgical sutures during surgery, wherein a further through bore is provided for pulling a suture through in the vicinity of the head end of the rod, said bore being located transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of the cylindrical rod, with the head end of the cylindrical rod being designed as a knot shifter for shifting and tightening a knot produced by means of the sutures. Using the knot shifter and knot cutter proposed according to the invention, a reliable knotting and hence immobilization of the parts rejoined by surgical sutures, such as tendons, to their original fastening areas can be achieved.
How the Kano model contributes to Kansei engineering in services

Recent studies show that products and services hold great appeal if they are attractively designed to elicit emotional feelings from customers. Kansei engineering (KE) has good potential to provide a competitive advantage to those able to read and translate customer affect and emotion in actual product and services. This study introduces an integrative framework of the Kano model and KE, applied to services. The Kano model was used and inserted into KE to exhibit the relationship between service attribute performance and customer emotional response. Essentially, the Kano model categorises service attribute quality into three major groups (must-be [M], one-dimensional [O] and attractive [A]). The findings of a case study that involved 100 tourists who stayed in luxury 4- and 5-star hotels are presented. As a practical matter, this research provides insight on which service attributes deserve more attention with regard to their significant impact on customer emotional needs. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Apart from cognitive evaluation, emotions and hedonism play a big role in service encounters. Through a focus on delighting qualities of service attributes, this research enables service providers and managers to establish the extent to which they prioritise their improvement efforts and to always satisfy their customer emotions beyond expectation.
Growing up in a pandemic: health behaviours and the impact of covid-19 on health inequalities among young people in ireland

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought health inequalities into sharp focus and exposed the structural disadvantage experienced by people facing the greatest deprivation. Research studies such as Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) and TeenPath at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) are specifically documenting these inequalities in the lives of children and young people in Ireland pre-COVID-19. This proposal will integrate with the TeenPath study and its aims to centre young people in the development of public health policy targeting adolescent health, with a view to addressing longer term health inequalities revealed and potentially exacerbated by the pandemic. Despite their behaviours being subject to high levels of public scrutiny and social policing throughout the pandemic, young people have limited power to influence society’s response to it. Rapid studies have generated snapshots of the experiences of people living through the COVID-19 outbreak in Ireland, but largely overlook how young people’s routines and emotional wellbeing have adapted. This project will take participatory and social network approaches to investigate how adolescents in Ireland have experienced COVID-19, and will address intersectional dimensions including gender and ethnicity to examine disproportionate impacts of the pandemic on health inequalities. Working with the TeenPath project at RCSI in partnership with TCD, this interdisciplinary project will bring together Public Health, Anthropology and Sociology to deploy innovative approaches such as Photovoice and Social Network Analysis to centre young people in the co-development of public health policy. This co-designed, inter-sectoral and participatory project will contribute to understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 on young people and health inequalities in Europe through policy-focused research, while developing my interdisciplinary skills as an independent public health researcher.
CROP CUTTING DEVICE, AGRICULTURAL MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH CROP CUTTING DEVICE AND CROP CUTTING METHOD

Crop cutting device (17) comprising knives (18) pivotally mounted below a crop guiding surface (22). Each knife (18) is pivotable between a retracted position in which it is located below the guiding surface (22) and an extended position, wherein at least a cutting edge (25) of the knife (18) projects above the surface (22). A selector mechanism (72) is foreseen for selectively holding spring loaded parts (32) of operating members (31) to maintain the corresponding knife (18) in its retracted inoperative position while the operating member (31) is moved to its second position;Therefore, the selector mechanism (72) includes a shaft (49) carrying a plurality of cam elements (50A-F) which are substantially parallel, individually mounted on the shaft (49) and arranged to be moved to a position for blocking a respective spring loaded part (32) upon rotation of the shaft (49) from a non-holding to a holding position.
A model for the generation and transmission of variations in evolution

The inheritance of characteristics induced by the environment has often been opposed to the theory of evolution by natural selection. Yet, while evolution by natural selection requires new heritable traits to be produced and transmitted, it does not prescribe, per se, the mechanisms by which this is operated. The mechanisms of inheritance are not, however, unconstrained, since they are themselves subject to natural selection. We introduce a general, analytically solvable mathematical model to compare the adaptive value of different schemes of inheritance. Our model allows for variations to be inherited, randomly produced, or environmentally induced, and, irrespectively, to be either transmitted or not during reproduction. The adaptation of the different schemes for processing variations is quantified for a range of fluctuating environments, following an approach that links quantitative genetics with stochastic control theory.
Comparison of extruded and pressed low cost ceramic supports for microfiltration membranes

Abstract A comparison has been made between ceramic supports for microfiltration membranes of the same composition obtained by pressing and by extrusion in terms of microstructure and properties. The extruded supports displayed lower porosity and smaller pore size than pressed supports. The higher the clay content in the starting composition, the clearer this tendency became. In contrast, the difference tended to disappear when starch was added to the initial composition. The mechanical strength values followed a decreasing exponential variation with porosity, which was influenced by the starting composition and the shaping method. Water permeability reflected the strong effect of the mean pore size. The supports synthesised from the composition with the higher clay content showed the lowest permeability, while those obtained from the composition including starch showed the highest value. A model derived from the Hagen–Poiseuille equation enabled the tortuosity values to be calculated.
Speed variator with coaxial input and output shafts - has friction discs on intermediate spheres with variable axes retained by thrust washers

The speed variator has an input shaft which drives a friction disc against spheres. The rotation of the spheres drives a second disc connecte to an output shaft. Greasing passages are bored in the shafts to allow lubrication of the shaft support bearings. Thrust washers transmit pressure through the friction discs against the spheres at a preset value. Each sphere rotates about a spindle and speed variation is achieved by angular displacement of the spindle housing by a worm screw.
ARRANGEMENT FOR A GUIDE DEVICE FOR LINES

In a lorry with a sleeper cab it is possible to displace a pneumatically cushioned and electrically heated vehicle seat (10) between a front end position close to the dashboard (4) and a rear end position close to the rear wall (5) of the cab. The lines (17) for the supply of air and electricity are guided during the said longitudinal displacement movement in a channel (13) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lorry.
Dental remains from Longtanshan cave 1 (Yunnan, China), and the initial presence of anatomically modern humans in East Asia

We describe and compare two hominin teeth identified here as a RP1 (YV1361) and a LM2 (YV1362) recovered in 1977 from Late Pleistocene deposits at Longtanshan 1, a cave locality near Kunming, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Placed within the broader context of known variation in Late Pleistocene hominins and recent humans from the region both teeth probably sample anatomically modern humans. They appear to exhibit simple crown morphology, possess narrow buccolingual diameters, YV1361 has a single (simple) root, YV1362 has two simple roots that bifurcate close to the crown, and the roots of both teeth are long but not especially robust compared to the size of their crowns. Previous dating research at Longtanshan 1 suggests both teeth have a minimum age of close to 60–83 ka, but further research will be required to establish this more precisely. These findings combined with recent discoveries from other parts of China suggest that anatomically modern humans appeared in the region during Marine Isotope Stages 4 or 5.
Analysis of chemical parameters determining the fruit quality of apricot cultivars during ripening

A HPLC instrument was used to analyse various acid (citric, malic, succinic acid) and sugar (sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol) components in the fruit of three cultivars grown in Hungary (Gonci magyar kajszi, Mandulakajszi and Harcot), while the β-carotene content was analysed spectrophotometrically. Changes in the chemical content of apricot varieties have not previously been monitored in the course of ripening. The quality of various food products is greatly influenced by the chemical components of the raw materials.The cultivar Gonci magyar kajszi had exceptionally high β-carotene (3.79 mg/100 g in 90% maturity) and sugar content (sucrose: 11253.9 mg/100 g, fructose: 315.2 mg/100 g and glucose: 1434.8 mg/100 g). Mandulakajszi was the most acidic (citric acid: 1597.2 mg/100 g). The malic acid content was similar for all three varieties during ripening. In case of Harcot, the β-carotene content was high in 2008 (3.58 mg/100 g in 90% maturity), however in 2010 it was lower due to environmental influences (2.38 mg/100 g). The pH value was similar for all examined varieties in all ripening stages (3.16–3.50), the TSS/TA value was highest in the 100% mature fruit (18.41) of Gonci magyar kajszi.
Magnetic fluctuations in anisotropic space plasmas: The effect of the plasma environment

Abstract The observations in the solar wind, which are usually organized in a beta-anisotropy diagram, seem to be constrained by linear instability thresholds. Unexpectedly, under these quasi-stable conditions, there is a finite level of electromagnetic fluctuations. A relevant component of these fluctuations can be understood in terms of the electromagnetic fields produced by the thermal motion of the charged particles. For the simple case of parallel propagating fields in an electron–proton plasma, we study the effect of the parameter ω pp / Ω c that characterizes the different space physics environments, and can affect the continuum spectrum produced by these fluctuations, which in turn may be used to understand the relevance of these processes occurring in a specific plasma environment.
The Interaction of Antrhacene-9-Carboxylic Acid with Calcium-Activated Chloride Channels is Influenced by the State of Global Phosphorylation in Pulmonarty Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Ca2+-dependent Cl- currents (IClCa) are inhibited by phosphorylation in arterial smooth muscle cells. We recently reported that niflumic acid (NFA), an inhibitor of IClCa, is less efficacious at blocking these currents in conditions promoting phosphorylation (Wiwchar et al., Br J Pharmacol, in press, 2009). This study aimed to assess whether another Cl- channel blocker, anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (A9C), is also affected by channel phosphorylation. A9C blocks IClCa at positive potentials but paradoxically stimulates the inward IClCa tail after repolarization to negative potentials (Piper & Greenwood, Br J Pharmacol 138: 31-38, 2003). IClCa was evoked by pipette solutions containing 500 nM free Ca2+ with or without 5 mM ATP to alter the state of phosphorylation. Although A9C (1-500 uM) dose-dependently blocked steady state IClCa at potentials positive to 0 mV in all cell groups, its maximal effect and sensitivity to voltage were enhanced in cells dialyzed with 0 vs. 5 mM ATP. For example, maximal block by 100 uM A9C was 35 and 73%, and V0.5 was 110 and 67 mV, in cells with 5 vs 0 ATP, respectively. A9C enhanced IClCa tail at −80 mV by causing a negative shift in voltage-dependence in both cell groups, with a larger shift occurring in cells dialyzed with 5 mM ATP. Interestingly, 100 but not 500 uM A9C stimulated steady-state ICl(Ca) at potentials < 0 mV in cells dialyzed with 0 ATP, a potential range where ICl(Ca) was unaffected in myocytes dialyzed with 5 mM ATP. As with NFA, the complex actions of A9C on IClCa are influenced by the state of channel phosphorylation and we propose the existence of at least two binding sites with different affinities for A9C.
ENergy Efficiency and Renewables ? SUPporting Policies in Local level for EnergY

In South East Europe the introduction of innovative processes characterized by the transfer, experimentation and consolidation of know-how related to the use and production of energy following a good planning and employing the appropriate management methods is a way to improve the energy balance. The aim of the ENER-SUPPLY project is to assist the local territories towards this direction through the enhanced use of renewable energy sources (RES) and the implementation of Energy Efficiency (EE) measures. This aim will be achieved by: (1) Transfer of legal and technical knowledge from the experienced partners from EU MSs to the local level of the target SEE countries, through the implementation of: 1 train of the trainers course;  9 training courses addressed to Local Institutions. (2) Experimentation of good practices in the management of the energy resources (by public and private organizations) inside the existing economic systems through: introducing the concept of Energy Managements Systems (EMS); testing and evaluate the implementation of an EMS in 9 local territories. (3) Development of the territories by setting a chart of the opportunities for EE and RES investments: RES Potential Maps and EE/RES feasibility studies will be developed; Potential financial resources will be defined; The final results will be promoted to potential investors. The project will be accompanied by information campaigns directed to the key target groups in each territory and with a wide dissemination action to give prominence to the results in order to support the trasferibility. The Partners (Pts) are organizations with long experience in energy (EE and/or RES) and with complementary skills.
How far do electrons delocalize?

Electron delocalization is central to chemical bonding, but it is also a fundamentally nonclassical and nonintuitive quantum mechanical phenomenon. Tools to quantify and visualize electron delocalization help to understand, teach, and predict chemical reactivity. We develop a new approach to quantify and visualize electron delocalization in real space. Our electron delocalization range function EDR (r⃗;u) quantifies the degree to which electrons at point r⃗ in a calculated wavefunction delocalize over length scale u. Its predictions are physically reasonable. For example, EDR (r⃗;u=0.25 bohr ) is close to one at points r⃗ in the cores of first-row atoms, consistent with the localization of core electrons to ~0.25 bohr. EDR (r⃗;u=1 bohr ) is close to one at points r⃗ in typical covalent bonds, consistent with electrons delocalizing over the length of the bond. Our approach provides a rich representation of atomic shell structure; covalent and ionic bonding; the delocalization of excited states, defects, and solvated electrons; metallic and insulating systems; and bond stretching and strong correlation.