SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Surface-Functionalised nanocrystal catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

With an expanding population and finite fossil fuel resources, society faces several major challenges regarding energy and the environment. SURFCAT seeks to address these issues by making advances in the electrochemical carbon-dioxide reduction-reaction (CO2RR), which converts carbon dioxide into hydrocarbon fuels using renewable electrical energy. Whilst copper is the only metal able to produce hydrocarbons in the CO2RR, modifications to pure, bulk copper are required in order to bypass its intrinsic limitations. Copper nanocrystals (CuNCs) offer enhanced activity and selectivity for single products in the CO2RR, yet there is a need to improve these materials further. SURFCAT strives to take advantage of surface modification in order to deliver these improvements. SURFCAT will go beyond the state-of-the-art by modifying the surfaces of CuNCs with functional organic ligands. The objectives of the research will be to: 1) synthesise new organic molecules, judiciously designed to influence favourable interactions between the CuNCs and carbon dioxide; 2) synthesise hybrid CuNCs, consisting of a metallic, nanocrystalline core and a functional ligand shell; 3) study and optimise the electrocatalytic performance of these novel materials; and 4) use spectroscopy and computational modelling to understand their mode of action and offer insight into the role of functional ligands on catalyst surfaces. These objectives will be achieved by combining the applicant’s expertise in steering catalysis through ligand design with the host laboratory’s expertise in nanocrystal synthesis and electrocatalysis. SURFCAT is perfectly aligned with the MSCA Work Programme, combining unique skills and knowledge from both the applicant and the host laboratory. Through training during his time at EPFL, the applicant will develop professional, language and teaching skills on top of his research efforts, in order to become a mobile and World-leading researcher.
Social finance for social enterprises: theory and practice to build a more inclusive society

The purpose of this project is to analyze approaches, methods and instruments of Social Finance (SF) helpful to support Social Enterprises (SEs) localized in some marginal territory of the EU (and especially in Sardinia). The project aims: 1) to contribute to the international academic debate on SF, with a focus on the role of SF for SEs through the analysis of the best practices useful for the improvement of the economic wellbeing; 2) to provide better theoretical and practical solutions, by designing tailored financial instruments for the SEs located in Sardinia with the aim to develop and to test efficient ways to reduce social exclusion and to promote social innovation; 3) to promote a permanent network between the involved parties with the aim to encourage new financial approaches for a more inclusive society. The relevance of this research project is confirmed by: i) the role of SF and SEs in the European agenda, in the academic debate, and in the challenges for financial systems; ii) the need to overcome the limits of the mainstream finance and to conceptualize a new finance approach able to be a good finance for a more inclusive society, iii) the multidisciplinary approach to the field of SF that involves both social innovation and social entrepreneurship. The innovativeness of the project is related to: i) the combined research approach (deductive/inductive) useful for exploratory studies; ii) the international approach to the topic of SF, that will be explored in collaboration with one of the leading international researcher in the field of SF and one of the most prominent researchers in the field of impact finance. The research activities will be developed through: i) the outgoing phase at Waterloo University; ii) the return phase at UNICA (Sardinia/South Italy). The project will allow the construction of a permanent Excellency Laboratory in Sardinia and will promote the development of SF and SEs in such marginal territory.
Building the next generation high-speed data converters to strengthen european excellence and competitiveness on space applications and beyond

The proposed INTERSTELLAR project addresses one critical topic of European non-dependence under the line “High speed DAC-ADC based on European Technology” – analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue data converters. E2V designs, manufactures, supplies to the space market these essential components, but faces keen competition from US providers. To preserve know-how and production of such competitive components in Europe and to underscore its efforts for non-dependence, the industrial consortium proposes to develop two new data converters and to mature them to TRL6. A four-channel ADC, sampling at up to 6 GSPs offers ultra-wide input bandwidth, flexibility and high-speed serial outputs. A multi-channel DAC, reconstructing at up to 6 GSPs offers multi-Nyquist output bandwidth, configurable modes and high-speed serial inputs. Using a European semiconductor technology, the new converters shall target performances beyond today’s state-of-the-art to ensure their competitiveness by their delivery dates. Such devices facilitate innovative Rx-to-Tx signal chain solutions for satellite telecommunications, earth observation, navigation and scientific missions. To achieve the challenging objectives set, the four partners have intimate knowledge in space technology and will bring expertise to the project. E2V (F), coordinator, will be in charge of design, manufacturing and test activities. AIRBUS Defence & Space (UK) and THALES ALENIA SPACE (F), the two major European space companies, will make a key contribution as end-users of space data converters – guiding initial requirements and evaluating the devices under relevant conditions. The Fraunhofer Institute (D) will significantly contribute with reference PCBs hosting the new ADC and DAC, thus enabling detailed device evaluation and enhancing the dissemination of the results. Assembling such honed skills within a fruitful cooperation, promises to make the INTERSTELLAR project a great success for the European space industry.
Conceptualization and Schematization of Mesoscale Sustainable Drainage Systems: A Full-Scale Study

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can be considered the joint product of water engineering and urban planning and design since these systems must comply with hydraulic, hydrologic, and social-ecological functions. To enhance this joint collaboration, a conceptual model of mesoscale SuDS is introduced based on the observed rainfall-runoff responses from two catchments with SuDS and a pipe-bound catchment. The model shows that in contrast to pipe systems, SuDS disaggregates the catchment into a group of discrete mini catchments that have no instant connection to the outlet. These mini catchments start to connect to each other (and perhaps to the outlet) as the rainfall depth increases. It is shown that the sequence of stormwater control measures (SCMs as individual components of SuDS) affects the system’s overall performance depending on the volumetric magnitude of the rainfall. The concept is useful in the design and implementation of mesoscale SuDS retrofits, which include several SCMs with different retention and detention capacities within a system.
APPARATUS, AND METHOD THEREOF, FOR PROCESSING ADJACENT WEBS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL

A slitter-rewinder for creating logs (R) of tapes of web material (N) wound around corresponding sets of tubular cores (A), comprises web feeding means for feeding the tapes of web material to a first winder roller (12) which together with a second winder roller (20) defines a winding cradle (21), core insertion means (40) for placing a set of adjacent tubular cores in said winding cradle (21), and web interruption means (70) for severing the web material when a log is completed. The set of tubular cores is introduced in a region (50) upstream, with respect to the web advance direction, a runner (60) made between the first winder roller (12) and the second winder roller (20) and in such region takes place the severing of the web, thanks to the web interruption means (70) that also support the cores in said region (50) keeping them in contact with the first winder roller (12). The slitter-rewinder of the invention allow continuously feeding the web material even during the log change process and it comprises adjusting means that make it suitable to process a wide range of logs and tubular cores sizes.
Evaluation of GWAS candidate susceptibility loci for uterine leiomyoma in the multi-ethnic NIEHS uterine fibroid study

We evaluated the association of 56 candidate SNPs identified in two published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of uterine leiomyoma (UL), or fibroids, with the risk and tumor size in the multi-ethnic uterine fibroid study (NIEHS-UFS). The selected SNPs were genotyped in 916 premenopausal women of African American (AA) and European American (EA) descents and their association with the outcomes was evaluated in race-stratified models and in meta-analysis of risk in NIEHS-UFS and discovery and replication GWAS in the Japanese population. We report moderate associations of variant rs4954368 in THSD7B (thrombospondin, type I, domain containing 7B) with tumor size in pooled analysis of AA and EA samples (P = 0.004), and at TNRC6B (trinucleotide repeat containing 6B) variants rs138039 and rs139909 in EA (P = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). The most significant associations with risk in meta-analysis were observed at TNRC6B variants rs739182 (P = 3.7 × 10(-10)) and rs2072858 (P = 1.1 × 10(-9)) and were stronger than those reported in the discovery GWAS (P = 2.01 × 10(-8) and 2.58 × 10(-8), respectively). The present study failed to replicate the associations reported for CCDC57 and FASN in a discovery GWAS in populations of European descent. Consistent with previous replication studies in the Right From the Start Study (RFTS) and the BioVU DNA repository, we provide independent evidence for association of TNRC6B with both risk and size of UL. The present study is the first to report a replicated association of THSD7B with UL, albeit with tumor size and not with risk.
Innovation associate for highly specific tumour associated carbohydrate antigens

CellmAbs is a recent but fast growing biopharmaceutical spinoff dedicated to the development of immuno-oncology agents that target only cancer cells, promoting the activation of the immune system and inhibiting growth of cancer in both early and late stages.
In spite of many advances in diagnostic and treatment development, many cancers still have no targeted therapy or have limited or toxic treatment options. Early detection is crucial to optimize treatment and substantially reduce incidence and mortality. In spite of the advent of new and improved genomic and proteomic technologies, it has not been possible to identify cancer-specific therapeutic targets or molecules that are able to reliably and accurately predict outcomes during cancer management and treatment. Cancers such as colorectal cancer (CRC) have very poor standard of care and thus own an unmet need for reliable and specific targets. The discovery of tumour associate carbohydrate antigens (TACA) is very promising but is still very insipient due to lack of experts, knowledge and technology on the field.
InnoTACA will address several unmet needs by presenting the grounds for hiring an Innovation Associate with relevant expertise and experience on groundbreaking technology to innovate TACA discovery to apply in cancer theranostic, combining high-quality transferable-skill training with excellent scientific training in glycomics. InnoTACA addresses the CellmAbs need of identifying highly specific TACAs, which would serve as a lead for the development of safer and more cost-effective immunotherapies, even for advanced unresectable CRC. 
The InnoTACA Associate and such immunotherapies will provide CellmAbs with improved products to capitalize and compete with current healthcare business and it will allow CellmAbs to connect with other high-tech SMEs focused in pharmaceutical and medical development, and partners with strong translational clinical and research backgrounds.
Screening and prevention in Swiss primary care: a systematic review

Screening and prevention in Swiss primary care: a systematic review David Eisner, Marco Zoller, Thomas Rosemann, Carola A Huber, Nina Badertscher, Ryan TandjungInstitute for General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandBackground and objectives: Prevention is a challenging area of primary care. In Switzerland, little is known about attitudes to and performance of screening and prevention services in general practice. To implement prevention services in primary care it is important to know about not only potential facilitators but also barriers. Primary care encompasses the activities of general practitioners, including those with particular interest and/or specializations (eg, pediatrics, gynecology). The aim of this study was to review all studies with a focus on prevention services which have been conducted in Switzerland and to reveal barriers and facilitators for physicians to participate in any preventive measures.Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE and BIOSIS were searched from January 1990 through December 2010. Studies focussing on preventive activities in primary care settings were selected and reviewed. The methodological quality of the identified studies was classified according to the guidelines in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement.Results: We identified 49 studies including 45 descriptive studies and four randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Twelve studies addressed the prevention of epidemics, eleven out of them vaccinations. Further studies focused on lifestyle changes, physical activity counselling, smoking cessation, cardiovascular prevention and cancer screening. Perceived lack of knowledge/training and lack of time were the most commonly stated barriers. Motivation, feasibility and efficiency were the most frequently reported supporting factors for preventive activities. The methodological quality was weak, only one out of four RCTs met the applied quality criteria.Conclusion: Most studies focussing on screening and prevention activities in primary care addressed vaccination, lifestyle modification or cardiovascular disease prevention. Identified barriers and facilitators indicate a need for primary-care-adapted education and training which are easy to handle, time-saving and reflect the specific needs of general practitioners. If new prevention programs are to be implemented in general practices, RCTs of high methodological quality are needed to assess their impact.Keywords: disease prevention, primary care, Switzerland, epidemic, screening, education, descriptive study
Exploring the mechanism for mycobiosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Aspergillus spp. and optimisation of synthesis parameters

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) was observed by the brown colour formation of fungal filtrate because of the reduction of silver ions to nano form. The UV scan of the filtrate revealed absorption peaks at 430 and 360 nm, which correspond to silver nanoparticles and inorganic phosphate, respectively. The simultaneous increase in the absorption of both peaks, at each successive recording revealed that the synthesis of nanoparticles is accompanied with the release of inorganic phosphate. The mechanism could possibly involve inactive phosphorylated nitrate reductase, which converts into the active dephosphorylated form during its contact with silver ions by releasing inorganic phosphate. The enzyme may then reduce Ag+ ions to silver nanoparticles (Ag0). Inorganic phosphate production was noticed only in A. flavus, A. niger and A. terreus as no peak at 360 nm was observed in filtrates of Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma reesei. Powder-X-ray diffractometry analysis revealed four peaks for 2θ values which correspond to a face-centred cubic crystal structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum indicated the presence of various functional groups. Transmission electron microscope analysis showed nanoparticle sizes of between 3 and 25 nm. Atomic force microscope images showed different shapes of nanoparticles at various concentrations of substrate. Optimum conditions for the biogenesis of silver nanoparticles were found to be a temperature of 30°C, pH 5.0, 0.5% NaCl and 1.5 mM AgNO3.
The effects of erythritol air-polishing powder on microbiologic and clinical outcomes during supportive periodontal therapy: Six-month results of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the physical characteristics of a new low abrasive erythritol powder (EPAP) and to evaluate its influence on the clinical and microbiologic parameters over a period of 6 months in patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy (SPT).

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Prior to the clinical application, the particle size and abrasion level of EPAP were compared to glycine air-polishing powder (GPAP) ex vivo. Subsequently, 40 chronic periodontitis patients previously enrolled in SPT were randomly assigned into two groups for the treatment with subgingival EPAP or repeated scaling and root planing (SRP). At baseline (BL), bleeding on probing positive (BOP+) sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) of ≥ 4 mm but no detectable calculus were defined as study sites. During SPT, these sites were either treated by EPAP or SRP at BL, 3, and 6 months (3M, 6M). When indicated, additional SRP was provided. Plaque Index, BOP, PPD, clinical attachment level (CAL), and subgingival plaque were evaluated at BL and 6M.

RESULTS

EPAP yielded lower abrasiveness and smaller particle sizes when compared to GPAP. In 38 patients completing the study, EPAP and SRP resulted in significant reductions of BOP% (EPAP, 40.45%; SRP, 42.53%), PPD (EPAP, -0.67; SRP, -0.68), and increase of CAL (EPAP, 0.48; SRP, 0.61) while at 6M no statistically significant between-group differences were observed (P > .05). Microbiologic evaluation revealed minor shifts in the composition of the subgingival biofilm without influence on periodontopathogenic bacteria.

CONCLUSION

The subgingival use of EPAP by means of an air-polishing device may be considered safe and may lead to comparable clinical and microbiologic outcomes to those obtained with SRP.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The subgingival use of EPAP appears to represent a promising modality for the removal of subgingival biofilm during SPT.
Using perturbation FEM compute the IC interconnect parasitic capacitances considering process variation

In present IC design, the process variation such as the litho distortion has made the accurate extraction of parasitic capacitances of interconnects become more difficult. One of the problems is the generation of some small deformation including small angle, which makes it difficult to mesh generation when using 3D FEM solver, and the scale of the equation becomes larger. This paper uses the FEM with the perturbation to deal with the issue. We first build the matrix equation with the nominal geometry parameters, and then add the perturbation terms by using the derivative of the matrix and the dimension changes of the distorted conductors. The pertubated system equation is then solved to get the capacitances. The result shows that the method provides accurate capacitances with less CPU time and memory.
Measuring the diurnal pattern of leaf hyponasty and growth in Arabidopsis - a novel phenotyping approach using laser scanning

Plants forming a rosette during their juvenile growth phase, such as Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., are able to adjust the size, position and orientation of their leaves. These growth responses are under the control of the plants circadian clock and follow a characteristic diurnal rhythm. For instance, increased leaf elongation and hyponasty – defined here as the increase in leaf elevation angle – can be observed when plants are shaded. Shading can either be caused by a decrease in the fluence rate of photosynthetically active radiation (direct shade) or a decrease in the fluence rate of red compared with far-red radiation (neighbour detection). In this paper we report on a phenotyping approach based on laser scanning to measure the diurnal pattern of leaf hyponasty and increase in rosette size. In short days, leaves showed constitutively increased leaf elevation angles compared with long days, but the overall diurnal pattern and the magnitude of up and downward leaf movement was independent of daylength. Shade treatment led to elevated leaf angles during the first day of application, but did not affect the magnitude of up and downward leaf movement in the following day. Using our phenotyping device, individual plants can be non-invasively monitored during several days under different light conditions. Hence, it represents a proper tool to phenotype light- and circadian clock-mediated growth responses in order to better understand the underlying regulatory genetic network.
Development of a trivalent epitope-focused rsv vaccine to boost pre-existing immunity

The development of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine is deemed a global health priority by the World Health Organization. Globally, RSV causes 33 million episodes of infection and up to 120,000 deaths annually. The most affected populations are pre-term infants, young children and the elderly. Several decades of intensive research are yet to yield a clinically approved vaccine. This failure is mostly attributed to sophisticated viral mechanisms that prevent the induction of protective antibodies (Abs). Using cutting-edge molecular design tools, we developed a novel vaccine candidate (TriVax) to focus immune responses in such key neutralization epitopes. TriVax is a cocktail composed of three epitope-focused immunogens mimicking three distinct neutralization epitopes targeted by potent neutralizing Abs. Our primary target populations are pregnant women (protection of pre-term infants) and elderly, where the challenge is to boost subdominant, neutralizing Abs elicited during previous natural infections. Recently, we showed that epitope-focused immunogens are exquisite at boosting subdominant functional Abs, and in this scenario, superior to the strongest competitor vaccine candidates. In a preliminary study in Non-Human Primates, TriVax showed great promise by eliciting robust neutralization on an RSV naïve cohort, suggesting a good safety profile and the potential to emerge as a competitive alternative for vaccine development. For manufacturing, epitope-focused immunogens are simple and stable molecules that can be produced at low cost. Overall, we propose a viable vaccine formulation to protect against an important pathogen which carries large financial burdens on public health systems. Thus, our proposal has an important societal and financial impact, and will provide compelling evidence for Trivax to boost neutralizing Abs in a close-to-human animal model, thereby taking an essential step to consolidate the commercial potential of our vaccine.