SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Engineering disease resistance gene networks: synthetic helpers for expanded sensors

To resist pathogen colonisation, plants have evolved a number of complex defense mechanisms that are activated upon recognition of pathogen-secreted molecules. These include cell surface or intracellular immune receptors, through either direct or indirect binding. Nucleotide-binding leucine rich repeat proteins (NB-LRRs or NLR) make up the largest family of intracellular immune receptors. Some of these NLR proteins were shown to function in pairs, with “sensors” mediating pathogen recognition and “helpers” eliciting a resistance response. Preliminary data revealed that many Solanaceae NLR sensors are dependent on three NRC (NLR proteins required for HR associated cell death) helper proteins (NRC2, NRC3, NRC4) in a complex and redundant signalling network. These NLR sensors, and their homologs, confer resistance to a diverse number of Solanaceae pathogens, including bacteria, oomycete, viruses, nematodes and insects. This suggests that NLR helper proteins play a major role in mediating disease resistance against a range of plant pathogens that infect the Solanaceae family. My objective is to use this information to engineer synthetic NRC helper proteins with enhanced sensor specificities. This will potentially result in resistance effective against multiple pathogen species currently affecting Solanaceae crops. To achieve my objective, I will undertake functional analyses of helper-sensor pairs, and study their interaction with known pathogen effectors to generate both chimeric and mutant NRC proteins with novel properties. I will then assess these candidate NRC proteins for enhanced disease resistance using a variety of genetic complementation assays. At the completion of this project I will deliver synthetic NRC helper proteins that confer expanded disease resistance in Solanaceae crops.
Development of relevant approaches to mathematically model increasingly complex microbially-driven processes

Mathematical modelling has played a central role in understanding the fundamental characteristics and behaviour of ecological systems for over a century. In microbial systems, modelling has attempted to reveal the dynamics and interactions of simple co-cultures of organisms in chemostats through to more complex systems with highly diverse functionality. In real-world processes, such as engineered biological systems, EBS, (activated sludge, anaerobic digestion), the former models are incomplete for characterisation of the functional microbial diversity, whereas the latter models are intractable to mathematical analysis, rendering them as inadequate. The Fellowship will investigate the suitability of current mechanistic approaches to modelling for EBS using chemostat theory, but also exploring the analysis of higher dimensional models. The fellow will undertake their outgoing phase at McMaster University to develop their skills in dynamical system theory, applied to real-world systems and observed microbial ecological behaviour in various forms. This will include the use of both analytical and numerical methods to understand system stability and the detection of emergent properties. Recent advances in the understanding of the limits of classical Monod-type growth functions has given rise to new approaches including stochastic and diffusion-based models. However, mathematical investigation of these alternative concepts is not yet fully realised. The fellow will bridge the gap between microbial ecological theory, modelling and mathematical theory to understand the practical possibilities and predictive capabilities that can be exposed when rigorous analysis is achieved. As part of the return phase, he will spend a period at INRA, France, to investigate the validation and application of the models to real systems. This will be continued at Newcastle University, where dissemination of the outputs, including a dedicated software tool will be also be carried out.
Galileo enhancement as booster of the smart cities

With the increase of the density of people in urban areas, modern cities experience significant needs related to planning, maintenance and administration. As a result, many cities are engaged in massive investment for infrastructure development across many structural elements including water supply, lighting, maintenance, traffic and transportation systems, refuse disposal and all the factors which form a part of the completed city.

The public transportation systems, assisting the movement of people in urban areas using group travel technologies such as buses and trains, are continuously evolving in terms of areas coverage, comfort and technology. Such systems can be exploited by the cities in order to serve both public and benefits including:
• Maintenance of infrastructure such as lighting, road deteriorations etc.
• Inspection of points of interests such as parking spaces, garbage collection points etc.
• Provision of services to the private sector such as inspection of advertisement points etc.

The main objective of the GHOST project is to design, develop and validate at an operational environment a GALILEO-based intelligent system for vehicles in order to take advantage of the public transportation fleet routes, towards enabling development of new cross-functional applications for infrastructures maintenance, street parking and garbage management in smarter cities environment.

The GHOST intelligent system will be validated at an operational environment, by demonstrating and experimenting on three (3) use cases of the GHOST applications including:
• Reporting of street lighting anomalies or road deteriorations (ex: pothole).
• Detection of double parking or occupied parking reserved for disabled drivers by unauthorized vehicles.
• Monitoring of public garbage completion level.
A new methodology to estimate the powder factor of explosives considering the different lithologies of volcanic lands: A case study from the island of Tenerife, Spain

Abstract Many populations live on small islands where there are no naturally occurring rivers and lakes. Therefore, they need to look for underground water sources that involves the use of complex, expensive civil engineering operations which normally use explosives. An adequate prediction of the amount of explosive and performance of blasts is essential for a proper drilling plan. In the present work, a new methodology is proposed to estimate the consumption of explosives with respect to each type of rock drilled, based on a regression model that relates the geomechanical characteristics of the rocks with the progress made with each blast. The model is obtained using real data from the drilling of 85.70 m in a water tunnel with a cross section of 4 m2 on a volcanic island. The blast used gelatin-based explosives based on nitroglycol, placed according to the drilling and blasting pattern for tunnels (structure to capture groundwater). The extracted rocks were mechanically characterized (density, porosity and point load strength index) and correlated with the powder factor. A methodology based on a regression model was constructed with this information that allows predictions of the powder factor, number of blasts and the amount of explosive needed as a function of the geomechanical properties of the tested rocks. The blasting progress had a non-linear relationship with the geomechanical parameters of the different lithotypes. The data show that advance is strongly non-linearly correlated with the porosity and the point load strength index of the rock. The regression model will be useful in the design of tunnel construction projects, as it can provide a better estimation of duration and costs of civil works than those used at present.
HOLDING DEVICE FOR INSERT CARDS

A holding device for insert cards of an electrical appliance has a module support which forms a frame-like plug-type connection field or operating field. The insert cards are fastened mutually parallely to the module support by means of diaphragms on their edges. Each diaphragm carries at least one plug-in connector and/or one operating or display element arranged in the region of an aperture in the module carrier which is closed by the corresponding diaphragm. At least one aperture (16) is larger than the other apertures (12, 14). The diaphragm (50) provided for this aperture (16) carries, in a section of its aperture (16) which is larger than the other apertures, at least one plug-in connector (54) and/or one operating or display element.
Rural-Urban Partnerships Motivating Regional Economies

The overall objective of RUMORE is to improve policies in the field of regional innovation strategies by facilitating rural-urban cooperation and partnerships. Huge potentials for growth and job creation remain unused, because urban – often more innovative – cores and surrounding rural parts are not well linked in terms of innovation chains, hence exhibiting a gap for joint innovation policy and effects for regional development.  Clusters and regional innovation strategies are often too focused on cities, thus ignoring the stakeholders (e.g. R+D institutions, innovative enterprises) in the rural and peripheral areas who then cannot unfold their full spectrum and chances. RUMORE tackles this shortcoming in many policies and enhances the delivery of innovation in regional innovation chains via improved rural­urban partnerships.
The partnership consists of 8 partners from 5 countries with a mix of regional authorities, one advisory Lead Partner and a business development agency.
RUMORE compiles the few approaches of how to design and set­up policy instruments for integrated urban­rural development in innovation policies. Good practices from the partners will be shared in an interregional learning and peer review process through Learning Events designed as living labs, and subsequently transferred and adapted to the specific contexts. The progress of improvement of each policy instrument is continuously discussed and 3 recurring working groups on overarching level produce results and added value.
4 ERDF-ROPs and 2 other policy instruments will be improved with an overall influenced amount of ca. 7,5 million Euros. The expected and envisaged results include more than 300 activities supported between innovation actors as well as a significantly raised share of innovative companies in the partner regions. In order to capture the interregional learning and capitalise on it for other European stakeholders, recommendations are derived and spread by the LP in existing networks
Spatial Variability of Cu,Zn under Different Landforms in Shuangliu County

Taking farmland in Shuangliu County as an example,by the method of conventional statistical analysis and normal distribution test,the spatial variability of the heavy metal including copper( Cu) and zinc( Zn) pollution situation was obtained. The results showed that the contents of Cu and Zn in arable soil did not exceed the second level criterion of the soil environmental quality standard( GB156182- 1995) for different landforms. The contents of Cu and Zn followed the normal distribution. The semi-variogram models for the Cu and Zn were correlated in a certain spatial range by GS + software. The optimal estimation was performed for the no determination of heavy metals including Cu and Zn using the method of Kriging interpolation. The map of Kriging interpolation reflected the spatial variability of the Cu and Zn for the arable soil well in Shuangliu County.
Fluoride concentration in potable groundwater in rural areas of Khaf city, Razavi Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran.

Long-term exposure to high concentrations of fluoride is associated with several adverse effects on human including dental and skeletal fluorosis. We studied all the groundwater wells located in rural areas of Khaf city, Razavi Province, northeastern Iran between 2009 and 2010. Fluoride concentration of water samples was measured by SPADNS method. We found that in rural areas the fluoride concentration ranged from 0.11 to 3.59 ppm-the level was less than the permissible limit in 31% of studied samples, higher than the permissible limit in 4% of the samples, and within the optimum limit of 1 to 1.5 ppm in 65% of water samples.
Review of the state-of-the-art of exhaust particulate filter technology in internal combustion engines

The increasingly stringent emission regulations, such as US 2010, Tier 2 Bin 5 and beyond, off-road Tier 4 final, and Euro V/5 for particulate matter (PM) reduction applications, will mandate the use of the diesel particulate filters (DPFs) technology, which is proven to be the only way that can effectively control the particulate emissions. This paper covers a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art DPF technologies, including the advanced filter substrate materials, the novel catalyst formulations, the highly sophisticated regeneration control strategies, the DPF uncontrolled regenerations and their control methodologies, the DPF soot loading prediction, and the soot sensor for the PM on-board diagnostics (OBD) legislations. Furthermore, the progress of the highly optimized hybrid approaches, which involves the integration of diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) + (DPF, NOx reduction catalyst), the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst coated on DPF, as well as DPF in the high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop systems, is well discussed. Besides, the impacts of the quality of fuel and lubricant on the DPF performance and the maintenance and retrofit of DPF are fully elaborated. Meanwhile, the high efficiency gasoline particulate filter (GPF) technology is being required to effectively reduce the PM and particulate number (PN) emissions from the gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines to comply with the future increasingly stricter emissions regulations.
SEED TREATMENT FORMULATIONS

A seed treatment mixture useful to produce coated seeds having a combination of good flowability characteristics and good plantability characteristics, while also having low dust-off characteristics, includes an agricultural active component and a binder formulation. The binder formulation includes a latex carrier and a wax, and is substantially free from added inorganic particulate materials. In one embodiment, the latex carrier comprises a styrene- acrylate based copolymer. In various aspects, the invention relates to seed treatment mixtures, binder formulations, methods of treating seeds, and coated seeds produced thereby.
Earth’S first biological bloom: an integrated field, geochemical, and geobiological examination of the origins of photosynthesis and carbonate production 3 billion years ago

The origin of oxygenic photosynthesis is one of the most dramatic evolutionary events that the Earth has ever experienced. At some point in Earth’s first two billion years, primitive bacteria acquired the ability to harness sunlight, oxidize water, release O2, and transform CO2 to organic carbon, and all with unprecedented efficiency. Today, oxygenic photosynthesis accounts for nearly all of the biomass on the planet, and exerts significant control over the carbon cycle. Since 2 billion years ago (Ga), it has regulated the climate of our planet, ensuring liquid water at the surface and enough oxygen to support complex life. The biological and geological consequences of oxygenic photosynthesis are so great that they effectively underpin what we think of as a habitable planet. Understanding the origins of photosynthesis is a paramount scientific challenge at the heart of some of humanity’s greatest questions: how did life evolve? how did Earth become a habitable planet? EARTHBLOOM addresses these questions head-on through the first comprehensive scientific study of Earth’s first blooming photosynthetic ecosystem, preserved as Earth’s oldest carbonate platform. This relatively unknown, >450m thick deposit, comprised largely of 2.9 Ga fossil photosynthetic structures (stromatolites), is one of the most important early Earth fossil localities ever identified, and EARTHBLOOM is carefully positioned for major discovery. EARTHBLOOM will push the frontier of field data collection and sample screening using new XRF methods for carbonate analysis. EARTHBLOOM will also push the analytical frontier in the lab by applying the most sensitive metal stable isotope tracers for O2 at ultra-low levels (Mo, U, and Ce) coupled with novel isotopic “age of oxidation” constraints. By providing new constraints on atmospheric CO2, ocean pH, oxygen production, and nutrient availability, EARTHBLOOM is poised to redefine Earth’s surface environment at the dawn of photosynthetic life.
Electrochemical technology for removing heavy metals present in synthetic produced water

−− The performance of an electrocoagulation (EC) system with aluminium and iron electrodes for removing heavy metal ions (Cd2, Cu2, Cr3, Sr2 and Zn2) present in synthetic produced water on laboratory scale was studied systematically. Experimental parameters such as applied current, flow effluent and sacrificial electrodes were investigated in order to understand their influence on the EC process. Increasing the current density accelerated the electrocoagulation process, but made it less efficient. Cd2, Cu2, Sr2 and Zn2 showed similar removal rates, under similar conditions, indicating a uniform electrochemical behavior. The study gave indications on the removal mechanisms of the investigated metals. Cd2, Cu2 and Zn2 ions are hydrolyzed and co-precipitated as hydroxides. Cr, was proposed to be reduced first to Cr3 at the cathode before precipitating as hydroxide. The process expenditure was estimated and reported showing the viability of this process as a green alternative, obtaining modest costs using Fe electrodes.
Developing an adverse outcome pathway for  metabolic nuclear receptor-binding compounds in atlantic cod

Environmental contaminants are accumulating in oceans and marine food webs and thereby pose a risk for both ecosystem and human health. In my MSCA-project, I aspire to bring the field of environmental toxicology to the next level by applying my track-record in developing Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) in the model organism zebrafish to the sentinel species Atlantic cod. The renowned Environmental Toxicology laboratory of Prof. Anders Goksøyr at the University of Bergen (UiB), is specialised in interactions of human-made chemicals with nuclear receptors (NRs) in Atlantic cod. Contaminant activated NRs can be the initiating molecular event leading to a cascade of responses, disrupting energy metabolism and culminating in an adverse outcome at behavioural level. At UiB, I will be trained in applying the precision-cut liver slicing technique and in developing in vitro luciferase reporter assays to identify NR activity after exposure to major legacy and emerging contaminants. I will then translate my knowledge on mechanisms leading to behavioural effects in zebrafish larvae, to the Atlantic cod. I will be supported by the Environmental Chemistry Group at the Institute of Marine Research (secondment) providing expertise on larval Atlantic cod toxicology and lipid chemistry. Developing AOPs in an ecologically relevant species is a young field of research but of high relevance to defining the ecological consequences of contaminant exposures. This project will innovatively expedite the Environmental Toxicology research and underline my ambitions to become an independent academic group leader. I will further sharpen my academic profile by profiting from UiB’s unique Centre of Excellence in Biology Education (bioCEED) which will enhance my skills in modern supervising and teaching techniques. The proposal addresses pressing scientific questions by integrating the expertise and network of both the host and me while shaping my profile on the way to become a leading scholar.
Crossties: Color Them Green

This article describes the different materials used to make railroad crossties and explains how these crossties benefit the environment, regardless of their composition. Materials outlined include wood, concrete, plastic composite, and steel. The author focuses on rail as an efficient freight transportation modality. The wood used in crossties is grown using an alternative energy source (solar power), sustainably renewable with modern forest management and harvesting practice, and lasts more than 30 years under difficult conditions. Creosote is depicted as a naturally biodegradable wood preservative that is a useful byproduct, rather than a waste product, of the coal coking process. Used wooden ties can be burned in EPA-approved facilities to generate electricity. Concrete ties are cost-effective and offer some energy and environmental benefits over other types of ties in their production, assembly, and use. The stiffness of concrete ties helps create a higher track modulus, which results in reduced rolling resistance, which in turn reduces fuel consumption. Concrete ties are also not treated with any chemicals that have the possibility of leaching out into the ground water. Plastic composite crossties are made from recycled thermoplastic, which is recovered from post-consumer or post-industrial waste from products like bottles, bags, automobile parts, toys, and packaging. The steel tie, which is itself recyclable, lowers overall life-cycle costs and is creosote-free, thus more environmentally friendly.
CONTINUOUS MULTI-STAGE WELL STIMULATION SYSTEM

A system is provided that is conducive to multi-stage stimulation in a near-continuous fashion. That is, unlike conventional stimulation systems, embodiments herein may operate without the requirement of traditional plug-setting, perforating and fracturing interventions on a zone by zone basis for a cemented completion. Rather, the system is outfitted with frac sleeves that may be shifted open to expose the bore to the formation while simultaneously achieving a seal through a ball drop technique. Once more, this manner of operation is rendered practical by the sleeve being of a passable configuration such that cementing of the casing is not impeded.
USE OF AGMATINE FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION

The invention relates to the use of agmatine and/or derivatives thereof and salts for topical application in therapy and prophylaxis of pathological alterations of the skin and/or for cosmetic use.
FIREPROOF POLYAMIDE COMPOSITION

The present invention relates to a fireproof polyamide composition that can essentially be used for manufacturing moulded materials. The invention also relates to a polyamide-based composition containing melamine cyanate and a novolac resin. The composition is particularly useful for making moulded articles used in the field of electric or electronic connector technology, such as members of circuit-breakers, switches or connectors.