SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Investigating the structural role of the hepatitis b virus core protein c-terminal domain in assembly and maturation using solid-state nmr

We will seek in this project to reveal structural and dynamic features of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein which encapsidates the viral genome. Each year, over 750,000 deaths are due to serious liver diseases caused by chronic HBV infection. Hepatitis B is, despite the availability of a vaccine, still a major health problem. The HBV virus particle is composed of an outer lipid-protein envelope and a core protein of 20 kDa that self-assembles into icosahedral nucleocapsids. The nucleocapsid encloses the pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) that is then reverse-transcribed into DNA by the viral polymerase (Pol). During pgRNA encapsidation, the CTD is thought to interact with the RNA. Despite the essential role played by the CTD in the regulation of the viral life cycle through various conformational states and phosphorylation patterns, it escapes today to classical structural biology approaches due to its dynamic nature. We will use solid-state NMR to bring new insights into the precise conformation and localization of the CTD along various steps of the viral life cycle. Sample preparation protocols of the core protein have recently been established by the applicant in the host laboratory using bacterial expression systems. The first NMR spectra of the nucleocapsid look highly promising. Further experiments will be recorded to assign the resonances and identify the CTD signals. Different phosphorylation states and binding partners, as the pgRNA, will be explored. Finally, paramagnetic tags will be used to obtain information about the positioning of the CTD. 
Our work shall contribute to expand the present molecular description of the HBV life cycle to include the role of the CTD. Our results will help to understand, and ultimately to target, its central role in HBV infection.
HVAC for prisons

Various considerations towards the design, construction, and operation of correctional facilities such as jails and prisons in the US, are presented. Security level of the facility or the area of the facility that vary as per minimum, medium, and maximum security, include suicide-resistant grilles and barrier grilles/bars specified in all ductwork penetrating the secure perimeter walls. For life safety, the air-handling unit serving the dayrooms and cells should provide makeup air to the area in a smoke purge event by ramping up via a variable frequency drive (VFD). Selection of a good security system is based on considerations such as costs and an efficient operators for system maintenance long after the project's completion. Water conservation in these correctional facilities is made possible through cogeneration, massive solar arrays, and photovoltaics.
Pharmaceutical composition of tegafur and natural flavonoid derivative catechin for potentiating antitumour effect and for treating tumours

Novel pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer, preferably malignant cancer by way of enteral use have been described, which contain natural flavonoid derivative Catechin and cancer chemotherapeutic agent TEGAFUR
Encoding, absorption and abandonment of cultural material during migration: : the case of judeo-spanish songbooks

Since the 18th century throughout the Mediterranean basin Judeo-Spanish men and women have notated songs they want to remember in personal songbooks. Both Oriental (Ottoman Empire) and Occidental (North Africa & Gibraltar) Judeo-Spanish communities still have an enormous sung repertoire which plays a core function as identity marker. It is also centrally positioned for symbolic roles and gender negotiations. Historically, this repertoire was notated in songbooks which were created both for personal use or for transmission to their descendants. 
The porousness of repertoire found within these private books which function as objects of orality demonstrate the continued absorption and interpenetration of languages and cultural references during various centuries. Songbooks served as cultural reminders of the layered identities that Judeo-Spanish speakers sought to preserve. While keeping traditional repertoire, the writers of these songbooks simultaneously absorbed important musical elements from their surroundings, demonstrating a multiplicity of cultural codes that coexist dynamically. This continual construction of their seemingly opposing roles as preservers and innovators of repertoire breaks all attempts at strict regionalism, while ensuring that certain traditional specificities remain untouched and unchanged. 
The scholarship on these songbooks and their content has only been done on an individual basis, focusing on philology or ethnomusicological issues regarding contrafacta. This ground-breaking proposed study will analyze the individual songbooks as parts of a larger pan-Mediterranean corpus of Judeo-Spanish songbooks which negotiate identity transmission in an inclusive manner absorbing elements of the surrounding cultures while protecting the boundaries of the group. Through this study, I propose to elucidate transnational patterns of repertoire encoding, absorption and abandonment which can serve as a seminal theory for other mobile minority communities.
Optimal VAT on Financial Services

Recently, the European Commission is re-examining the VAT regime of financial services in Europe. This chapter deals with the important topic of the indirect taxation of financial services, studying firstly the consequences of an eventual shift from exemption of these services on VAT to taxing them based on previous literature and using an overlapping generations (OLG) model, and finally, analyzing the optimal way for taxing financial services under VAT. Theoretical results show a beneficial pass from exemption to taxation of this kind of services. There is a tax reform proposal in two alternative and equivalent fashions. As the model shows, this reform would eliminate under-taxation of households and over-taxation of businesses. This would decrease the prices of non-financial goods and services and would reach an optimal policy design for the tax system. Finally, an additional tax rule is provided to determine whether the proposed tax rate on pure interest should be higher or lower than a usual direct tax on income.
Technology to turn waste from rapeseed oil production into valuable food protein.

The continuing growth of world population is pushing demand for food. Climate changes and limited resources for farming lead to increased interest in new sources of nutrients alternative to meat. Additionally, human diet undergoes a significant shift towards proteins. Therefore, the growth of plant protein market is predicted to be drastically driven up in the coming years. Oilseeds, known for their high content of nutritious proteins, are expected to take center stage as main source of plant proteins aimed for human consumption. Nowadays, the main product of rapeseed processing is oil. A by-product – rapeseed cake – is used as animal feed. There is no commercial technology capable of extracting fully functional protein from rapeseed cake. At NapiFeryn BioTech (NFB) we came up with a new technology which allows more efficient use of this by-product. Our technology is protected with three patent applications. It enables full recovery of high-quality rapeseed cake proteins, ready to be used in food industry. Our business model is based on licensing of the technology to rapeseed processors. Licensing fee will be calculated individually for each oilseed processor or integrated formulator, based on the annual scale of the processed rapeseed. We have validated the pricing strategy with rapeseed processors. The first license agreement has been signed already in 2016. In the Ph2 project we aim primarily at delivering full-scale demonstrator (TRL9) of the rapeseed protein isolation technology at the commercial level (market launch), collect and prove all the data needed to quantify the cost-effectiveness of our technology. These activities will provide the input required for the main deliverables of the project: The Basic Engineering Level design of Biorefinery. With our technology the value that could be derived from the same amount of crop will double, from EUR 450 to EUR 900 per ton, which might be the only way for rapeseed processors to stay in business.
Dynamic progress of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced chronic colitis and fibrosis in rat model

To investigate the dynamic progress of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced chronic colitis and fibrosis in rat model.In all, 44 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the model and control groups. Colitis was induced by intrarectal injection of 10-30 mg TNBS in 50% ethanol enema weekly for 5 cycles. The control group received an equal volume of 50% ethanol. If the rat died during the procedure, necropsy was performed immediately. At the end of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th week the rats were sacrificed, and histological damage and fibrosis of the colon were examined using HE and Masson trichrome stain. The concentrations of Th1, Th2, Th17 cytokines in colon tissue were detected by ELISA, intestinal fibrosis-relevant cytokine expressions were detected by fluorescent quantification-polymerase chain reaction.Colitis model was successfully induced with a low mortality rate. The microscopic colonic damage score, collagen area, Th1/Th17 cytokines and expressions of intestinal fibrosis-relevant cytokines were significantly higher in the model group than those in the control group. Furthermore, the collagen area, content of interleukin 17 and expressions of intestinal fibrosis-related cytokines in the model group were more elevated in the chronic phase (after 3 to 4 cycles) than in the acute phase (P < 0.05).Multiple inflammatory responses participate in the formation and dynamic progression of TNBS-induced chronic colitis. In particular, acute colitis may turn into chronic colitis after 3 cycles of TNBS administration. This coincides with the formation of intestinal fibrosis which is concomitantly exacerbated after cycle 4.
Human uterus cell atlas

The Human Uterus Cell Atlas (HUTER) project aims to create the single-cell and spatial reference map of the human uterus. HUTER project will provide unprecedented insight at transcriptomic, genomic and spatial changes of this important female organ not only throughout the menstrual cycle but also across lifespan. 

The human uterus is a flagship reproductive organ with profound implications not only in reproduction but also in women´s health. HUTER can advance the Human Cell Atlas initiative for the exploitation potential in Obstetrics and Gynaecology  and biomedicine research areas such as Regenerative Medicine or Reproductive Medicine. The uterus is itself a model for regenerative medicine since (i) endometrial tissue regenerates monthly and its transformation is executed through dynamic changes in states and interactions of multiple cell types, and (ii) myometrial tissue has remarkable regenerative capacity and extensive remodelling throughout pregnancy. 

Hence, the primary motivation HUTER proposal stems from the need to better understand the human uterus in order to more effectively address uterine diseases that impact women´s health such as myomas or endometriosis and/or might contribute to infertility, infant and maternal mortality and morbidity. HUTER technological and biological platform will be a crucial resource for the scientific and clinical communities to define the cellular basis of health and disease, allowing the rapid development of new diagnosis and prognosis tools and therapeutic advancements in the field.
Origem e mosaico da paisagem da Reserva Extrativista Marinha de Canavieiras, Bahia, Brasil

Este artigo tem como objetivos: Analisar o processo de criação da Reserva Extrativista Marinha de Canavieiras, Área Marinho-Costeira Protegida, Sul do Estado da Bahia, Brasil, evidenciando os interesses que permearam seu processo de criação e implementação, organização comunitária e associativa; evidenciar a importância dessa Resex para a conservação ambiental, a partir da estrutura do mosaico de sua paisagem, em dois distintos momentos, anos 2000 e 2018 – antes e depois de sua criação. Como percurso metodológico, fizeram-se levantamentos bibliográficos e documentais, visitas in loco nas comunidades beneficiárias com a implantação da Resex e coleta de informações, bem como a elaboração de mapas de uso e ocupação da terra, através do software ArcGis. Os resultados da pesquisa apontaram que ocorreram vários conflitos de interesses no processo de criação e implantação dessa Resex, em especial no município de Canavieiras, por conta de empreendimentos que se sentiram prejudicados com a sua implementação. Realizando uma comparação do mosaico da paisagem dessa Resex possibilitou inferir que a cobertura vegetal se encontra em boas condições de conservação em sua área de abrangência, em especial no que se refere ao ecossistema de manguezal se comparadas com outras áreas ocupadas com formações florestais no interior do território dos municípios de Canavieiras e Belmonte. Sendo que estas foram sendo suprimidas por pastagens ou associação agricultura e pastagem. Além disso, in loco identificou-se a ocorrência de certos efeitos dentro da Resex proveniente de empreendimentos não pertencentes a extrativistas, como a drenagem ao lado da comunidade dos Campinhos, prejudicando o recurso hídrico subterrâneo utilizado por ela, algo que não pode ser captado pelos mapas.
Big4 - biosystematics, informatics and genetics of the big 4 insect groups: training tomorrow's researchers and entrepreneurs

BIG4 is a global network to amalgamate the cutting edge methods of genomics, phylogenetics, informatics, taxonomy, semantic biodiversity publishing and citizen science, into highly competitive cross-disciplinary training programme for 15 ESRs with a stronghold in biosystematics. These 15 future leaders will extend the exploration of the four biggest groups of living organisms in a more forward looking way than has been attempted before. The urgent focus on the “big four” insect groups, i.e. Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (wasps, ants and bees), Diptera (flies and mosquitoes), and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) is justified by the super abundance of this form of Life, and by the growing need by science and society to make better use of the enormous potential hidden in their biological diversity. BIG4 aims [1] to gain a robust systematic knowledge that explains the evolutionary origin, diversification, past and present distributions of living organisms, [2]  to model their future dispersal and [3] to predict the traits of species that are yet unknown. Additionally, BIG4 strives for [4] implementing organismal features into engineering, medicine, agricultural or environmental solutions, the insect flight mechanics and more effective pollination to mention just a few. Such knowledge is in a particularly high demand in respect of the four biggest insects groups comprising the most important model organisms, the most dangerous pests or disease vectors, the most abundant invasive species and the most fragile entire species communities undergoing extinction due to habitat destruction. By integrating academia with the business and public sectors, BIG4 will greatly increase services and beneficial products provided by the biosystematics as a science. BIG4 will place insect mega-diversity as a powerful service for economic and societal needs such as environmental monitoring, biological control, biomedicine, or ecological farming.
BTH-mediated antioxidant system responses in apple leaf tissues

Abstract BTH (S-methylbenzo-1,2,3-thiadiazole-7-carbothiate), an active compound of the commercial preparation Bion, has been studied as an elicitor of resistance to fire blight ( Erwinia amylovora ) in apple. However, the biochemical mechanisms of its action are not fully elucidated. Our study indicated that BTH at the best time of its protection activity (2–14 days after application) induced changes in prooxidant–antioxidant balance in the leaves of apple trees, but in different ways in the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Glutathione as low molecular antioxidant as well as superoxide anion radical and lipid peroxides as oxidants exhibited changes at the early phase of BTH action. Glutathione-dependent enzymes were strongly affected by the elicitor used. On the 2nd day glutathione transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities increased by about 70% and 30% above the control, respectively. GST activity normalized about the 14th day but GSH-Px at the same time showed 27% of the control value. Among enzymes utilising hydrogen peroxide only catalase showed increase (37%) at the early phase of experiment. Compared with the control, BTH-treated plants did not show changes in ascorbate peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activities. Tocopherol (TOC) level diminished starting from the 7th day after BTH treatment and on the 14th day it was only 28% of the control. It is proposed that extinguishing of BTH-mediated signal resulted from TOC and glutathione action. The diminished ascorbate level at all examined times may play a crucial role in BTH-mediated cell growth regulation. The direct influence of BTH on lipid metabolism should be also taken into consideration.
Fully rohs compliant infrared light emitting diodes based on novel lead-free quantum dots

Infrared light-emitting diodes (IR-LEDs) serve a broad range of applications including fiber-optic communications, night vision as well as clinical diagnosis and biomedical imaging. Within the family of nanomaterials, colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) offer exceptional promises for IR-LEDs due to their unique optical properties and low-cost solution-processability. So far, state-of-the-art QD IR-LEDs are based on lead-containing QDs, which has been severely restricted by the environmental directives e.g. EU’s “Restriction of Hazardous Substances” (RoHS). In fact, current challenges of IR-LED technology are to identify and develop novel and efficient lead-free QDs. INFLED aims at demonstrating the first RoHS-compliant and efficient QD IR-LED based on innovative and environmentally friendly material design and device engineering. The project targets the most efficient heavy metal-free infrared QD using a novel synthesis technique as well as rationally nanoengineering at material level. Furthermore, the resultant design at device level will lead to low trap state density, high solid-state quantum efficiency and thereby efficient LEDs. Hence, the key objectives of this proposal are: i) a novel QD synthesis method; ii) material design at nanocrystalline level; iii) LED device engineering at supra-nanocrystalline level. INFLED is at the crossroad of chemistry, physics and engineering, and therefore is expected to attract significant attention from different disciplines along with offering new insights toward next-generation infrared and quantum network technology.
Geochemical controls on the ice nucleating efficiency of volcanic ash

Ice formation in the atmosphere has a major impact on the properties and lifetime of clouds yet is one of the least well understood processes indirectly affecting the Earth’s climate. Heterogeneous ice nucleation by airborne solid particles (‘ice nuclei’) exerts a profound influence on clouds by raising the temperature at which ice can form relative to by homogeneous freezing of supercooled water droplets. Volcanic ash from explosive eruptions is increasingly recognised to be capable of acting as ice nuclei but factors determining the ash ice nucleating efficiency have yet to be elucidated. As for mineral dust from arid and semi-arid regions, physicochemical properties of the solid particles such as crystallinity, mineralogy and composition likely play a role in their ice nucleating efficiency, but this remains poorly understood and has not been systematically investigated for volcanic ash. In addition, the influence of thermochemical processes/conditions in the source magma, in the eruption plume and cloud, and in the ambient atmosphere on ash ice nucleating efficiency is not known. The  proposed research will address this gap in knowledge through an experimental approach uniquely bridging volcanic geochemistry and atmospheric science, to establish the link between ash ice nucleating efficiency and its physicochemical properties and magmatic, eruptive and atmospheric history. A range of natural ash and synthetic ash, generated and treated under controlled laboratory conditions, will be studied. Experimental data will be parameterised for use in model simulations to predict regional ice nuclei concentrations based on an Icelandic eruption scenario. Collectively, the proposed research, training and knowledge transfer activities will enhance the future prospects of both the Fellow and host, while contributing to the greater benefit of society by improving understanding of the potential impacts of ash emissions from explosive eruptions on the atmosphere and on climate.
Brain malformations in a patient with deletion 2p16.1: A refinement of the phenotype to BCL11A

Microdeletions of 2p15-16.1 have been reported in 15 patients with a recognizable syndrome of dysmorphic features, intellectual disability and microcephaly. Facial features include telecanthus, short palpebral fissures, epicanthal folds, a broad nasal root, smooth and long philtrum and large ears. Brain malformations can be observed in this syndrome and include hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and a simplified cortical gyral pattern. Case reports have narrowed the critical region of the neurodevelopmental phenotype to a region that spans the B-cell CLL/lymphoma 11A (BCL11A) gene. Here we present a 3-year-old normocephalic girl with moderate development delay and dysmorphic features including a prominent forehead, telecanthus, depressed nasal bridge, thin upper vermilion and a small chin. Magnetic resonance imaging shows enlargement of the lateral, third and fourth ventricles and hypoplastic corpus callosum, cerebellar vermis and pons. Array CGH revealed a 0.875 Mb de novo deletion at 2p16.1 that includes only BCL11A. The moderate delays, hypoplastic and dysmorphic corpus callosum and hippocampi and the facial features are in keeping with the previously described 2p15-16.1 microdeletion syndrome. However, hypoplasia of the pons and cerebellum are not commonly recognized features and are reminiscent of the brain malformations observed in individuals with a mutation in CASK. CASK is known to interact with BCL11A in the normal growth of axons. This case report highlights the role of BCL11A in 2p15-16.1 microdeletion syndrome and the unique phenotype suggests a common pathway for BCL11A and other genes in neurodevelopment.