SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Analysis of HDFS RPC and Hadoop with RDMA by evaluating write performance

In the era of data explosion, one of the crowd pleasing words is Big Data. For large scale data handling and processing, Hadoop is in the mainstream. The Hadoop Distributed File Storage deals with the issue of data availability by replicating the data over multiple servers. When the data has to be written over multiple remote locations, the write performance is a major consideration. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the HDFS write performance using both the replication schemes, i.e., the default Pipelined Replication and Parallel Replication. The TestDFSIO Benchmark is used for benchmarking the Hadoop cluster with both replication schemes. It is observed that the write throughput of the Hadoop cluster using the parallel replication is 8% more than that of pipeline replication. It is also observed that the performance of RDMA based HDFS is far better than HDFS RPC.
Open transprecision computing

Guaranteed numerical precision of each elementary step in a complex computation has been the mainstay of traditional computing systems for many years. This era, fueled by Moore's law and the constant exponential improvement in computing efficiency, is at its twilight: from tiny nodes of the Internet-of-Things, to large HPC computing centers, sub-picoJoule/operation energy efficiency is essential for practical realizations. To overcome the “power wall”, a shift from traditional computing paradigms is now mandatory.

OPRECOMP aims at demolishing the ultra-conservative “precise” computing abstraction and replacing it with a more flexible and efficient one, namely transprecision computing. OPRECOMP will investigate the theoretical and practical understanding of the energy efficiency boost obtainable when accuracy requirements on data being processed, stored and communicated can be lifted for intermediate calculations. While approximate computing approaches have been used before, in OPRECOMP for the first time ever, a complete framework for transprecision computing, covering devices, circuits, software tools, and algorithms, along with the mathematical theory and physical foundations of the ideas will be developed that not only will provide error bounds with respect to full precision results, but also will enable major energy efficiency improvements even when there is no freedom to relax end-to-end application quality-of-results.

The mission of OPRECOMP is to demonstrate using physical demonstrators that this idea holds in a huge range of application scenarios in the domains of IoT, Big Data Analytics, Deep Learning, and HPC simulations: from the sub-milliWatt to the MegaWatt range, spanning nine orders of magnitude. In view of industrial exploitation, we will prove the quality and reliability and demonstrate that transprecision computing is the way to think about future systems.
Distant earthly reflections on ionograms of the intercosmos-19 satellite

Complex ionograms from the Intercosmos-19 satellite with strongly delayed and sometimes multiple reflections from the Earth are considered. An analysis shows that these reflections are usually associated with sharp horizontal gradients of the ionospheric plasma. Such gradients are formed on the walls of the main ionospheric trough, at peaks of electron density, and on the inner and, especially frequently, on the outer slope of the crest of the equatorial anomaly. In one case, distant reflections from the Earth (DREs) formed near the equator, when the satellite in perigee was lower than the F2-layer maximum height. A quantitative interpretation of the most typical cases of DREs is given based on ray tracing. For this purpose, the model of the ionosphere under the satellite is developed, ray paths are calculated, and model ionograms are formed. The good agreement between experimental and model ionograms allows us to conclude that the task of interpreting complicated ionograms obtained by Intercosmos-19 with DRE has been solved successfully.
PREPARATION OF AN AQUEOUS REAGENT FOR THE ABSORPTION OR DESTRUCTION OF POLLUTANTS

Process for treating a medium by the removal or destruction of one or more undesired substances present in said medium, comprising combining hydrogen peroxide and alkali hydroxide in an aqueous solution to form superoxide, and bringing the resultant superoxide-containing solution into contact with said medium. The process is useful for the destruction of halogenated organic pollutants and also for carbon dioxide removal from flue gases. The process can also be applied for soil remediation.
Involvement of acid-sensing ion channel 1a in matrix metabolism of endplate chondrocytes under extracellular acidic conditions through NF-κB transcriptional activity

Acidic conditions are present in degenerated intervertebral discs and are believed to be responsible for matrix breakdown. Acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is expressed in endplate chondrocytes, and its activation is associated with endplate chondrocyte apoptosis. However, the precise role of ASIC1a in regulating the matrix metabolic activity of endplate chondrocytes in response to extracellular acid remains poorly understood. Aggrecan (ACAN), type II collagen (Col2a1), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expressions were determined using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western blot. ASIC1a was knocked down by transfecting endplate chondrocytes with ASIC1a siRNA. MMP activity and NF-κB transcriptional activity were measured. NF-κB transcriptional activity was assessed by examining cytosolic phosphorylated IκBα and nuclear phosphorylated p65 levels. Extracellular acidic solution (pH 6.0) resulted in a decrease in ACAN and Co12a1 expressions and an increase in MMP-1, MMP-9, and MMP-13 expressions, as well as in MMP activity; while ASIC1a siRNA blocked these effects. In addition, acid-induced increase in cytosolic levels of phosphorylated IκBα and nuclear levels of phosphorylated p65 in endplate chondrocytes were inhibited by ASIC1a siRNA. ASIC1a is involved in matrix metabolism of endplate chondrocytes under extracellular acidic conditions via NF-κB transcriptional activity.
Active surface processes on mars: a laboratory, field and remote sensing study

This study will identify and analyse ongoing geological activity across the whole of Mars in the form of the changing morphology of kilometre-scale “classical gullies” (Fig. 1). From this, we aim to determine whether these changes are caused by the action of liquid water, or dry frost (water or carbon dioxide). Such a study addresses key questions of ongoing martian habitability, planetary protection (i.e. limiting access for future missions to possible ‘wet’ environments) and current climate. Jan Raack, the Experienced Researcher (ER), has just published a study of one such gully: this can be used as a methodological template for a more ambitious project.

The core of the project is a global search for change in martian gullies using 25cm/pixel HiRISE images. Thermal and spectral data will be used to determine the types of volatiles that are present as changes occur, thus constraining the triggering mechanism for flow. The core task is supported by Earth-based field work and laboratory experiments using a Mars simulation chamber. This multidisciplinary approach, combining remote sensing, field, and laboratory work is a powerful methodology, and also provides great skills development for the ER.

Significant outreach and communication activities are a vital part of the project. We will use a variety of media (blogs, Twitter, conference presentations, press-releases of papers etc.), and also apply to the UK Royal Society to be part of the annual Summer Science Exhibition. Preparing for the proposal and the exhibition will provide a key learning experience for the ER, and develop proposal writing, public communication and project management skills.

The three key outcomes of the project will be two peer-reviewed papers describing the distribution and triggering mechanism of martian gullies based on a synthesis of field, remote sensing and laboratory studies, and the Exhibition at the Royal Society, where the project results will be communicated to thousands people.
Cargo door seal protector

The protector includes a box-like metal housing formed of first and second housing parts connected by a spring-loaded hinge for movement between an open position, in which a seal associated with the vehicle cargo compartment door handle is exposed, and a closed position, in which the seal cannot be accessed. At least one of the housing parts is hollow and configured to accommodate the handle such that when the housing parts are in the closed position the seal is fully enclosed. A padlock may be used to lock the housing parts in the closed position such that the seal cannot be accidentally broken falsely indicating that the cargo compartment door has been opened during transit.
Capitalising on Partner Initiatives in Mobility Management Services

Throughout the EU, increased reliance on the car has resulted in high levels of congestion and more pollution, leading to economic, environmental and health problems for our regions and cities. ERDF investment in infrastructure could accelerate this trend if parallel alternative measures are not introduced at the same time.  Mobility Management aims to reduce reliance on the car by encouraging travellers to use other modes.  It  comprises ‘soft’ measures (e.g. information or coordination of existing user services), which enhance the effectiveness of ‘hard’ measures of traffic planning (e.g. new tram lines, new roads and new bike tracks).  

But mobility management is new, not very visible, politically risky.  It raises questions about administrative competencies: there is no ‘Department of Mobility Management’ anywhere in the EU.  Responsibilities are split between functions and between different levels of administration. Many budgets need to be engaged in order for most
mobility management actions to be funded – even though they are low-cost.  Regions have a crucial lead-role.So the overall objective of PIMMS CAPITAL is to stimulate modal shift towards more sustainable forms of transport by increasing the implementation of high quality mobility management techniques and policies in European regions.  

The additional benefit to the regions will be the development of more efficient and free-flowing transport systems, which will contribute to their economic competitiveness.
A global approach to paid domestic work and social inequalities

How does globalisation impact the construction of social inequality? DomEQUAL tackles this question through a study on paid domestic work (PDW). Of the 52.6 million PDWs in the world today, 43 million are women and 7 million are children. The multidimensional transformations brought about by globalisation with the intensification of international migration, the urbanisation of rural and indigenous populations, and changes in household organisation and welfare regimes have a massive impact on PDWs at the global level. 
New research possibilities are open since PDW has become an object of global governance. The ILO Convention 189 is the most evident sign of this. For researchers, this has the important effect of making new data and tools for analysis available. DomEQUAL profits from this opportunity to provide a global comparison of PDWs’ social positions, especially in the socio-economic and legal fields. It also provides the opportunity to experiment an ‘intersectionality’ approach to PDW on a large scale. Finally, it analyses which type of global/local actor is more effective in improving the legal framework for PDWs. In so doing, it aims at a theoretical and methodological contribution that goes beyond PDW and addresses the construction of social inequalities within globalisation more generally. 
This is done through a diachronic comparison (1950s-now) of the changing situation of PDWs in the following countries: Spain, Italy and Germany in Europe; Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil in South America; and India, the Philippines and Taiwan in Asia. These nine countries are interesting cases for comparison because of their different positions within the process of globalisation, the specificities of their socio-cultural contexts, and also because they have all experienced mobilisations for PDWs’ rights. The project will be carried out by the PI and two senior post-doc researchers based in Italy, with the support of nine experts in the selected countries.
Antoferine: an innovative eco-friendly process for chemical solvent free extraction of bioactive antifungal polyphenols from vineyard waste.

The agro-food sector is facing today crucial challenges. With a global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, meeting the global demand for food supply would not only require increasing production, but also to prevent food losses. Close to 50% of the global fresh produce, mostly fruits & vegetables, is lost in the post-harvest stage due to spoilage during transport and storage, with 80% caused by fungal contamination. Besides damaging product quality, fungal growth poses a risk to consumers due to secretion of mycotoxins, carcinogenic and immunogenic metabolites from fungi. The cumulative cost of post-harvest losses exceeds €200 billion annually. To prevent these losses, post-harvested produce has been traditionally protected with chemical-based solutions. However, besides the direct risk for applicators, these products also leave residues that are hazardous for consumers and the environment. Trying to find a balance between the prevention of losses and reducing risk for consumers, the EC has set residue allowance limits for synthetic compounds and seeks to replace them with natural alternatives. In response, we at Antofénol present an innovative antifungal solution of natural origin to protect fruits & vegetables in the post-harvest stage. The efficacy of our product relies on its unique composition of polyphenol extracts, obtained through a solvent-free extraction process that isolates them from vineyard waste. Importantly, besides contributing to reduce the huge post-harvest losses that affect the food sector, we would be contributing to the European circular economy by promoting valorization of an abundant agricultural waste. Altogether, the main goal of this project is to finalise the development of our biocontrol product and take our extraction process to the industrial scale. To meet these goals, in Phase 1 we see necessary to conduct a Feasibility Study that help us define the best strategy to overtake key milestones and lead us to market readiness.
Bringing organisations and network development to higher levels in the farming sector in europe

BOND acknowledges the fundamental role farmers and land managers play in the environmental and economic sustainability of the farming sector in Europe, as well as the importance of the way they organise, on Europe’s foods and landscapes. BOND contributes to unleash, strengthen, and organise, the great potential for collective action and networking of individuals, groups and entities of farmers and land managers, focusing on countries with lower organisation levels, with a view to creating strong, dynamic and effective organizations that have a voice and a place in policy design. More specifically, BOND investigates and addresses the constraints and disincentives, and reaches a higher level of participation of farmers as follows: (i) Draw up solutions and build bonding capital within groups, ensuring cohesiveness and trust among people; (ii) Enable organizations to come closer, building bridging capital to form larger networks, help overcome attitudes and constraints that impede collective action; (iii) Build linking capital, developing ties with entities with different interests and powers, including government, donors, academia, private sector, to reach a stronger position in decision-making, and (iv) Engage multi actors and policy makers throughout these processes. BOND’s approach relies on 3 pillars: SEE-learning from success (mobilisation, study tours), LEARN-overcoming constraints (self-analysis, capacity building), TELL-affirming a position in the policy landscape (gaming interface, best practice in regulation, lab experiment), and on involving the youth, women and men (designing a road map for the future), with training sessions and meeting events at every step of the project (interregional forum, national workshops, regional policy roundtables, youth forum). BOND’s legacy will be a menu a la carte of practical processes, user-friendly, with methods and tools to guide end-users when they decide to engage and benefit from the synergies of working with others.
PVC BASED, LAYERED FLOOR COVERING

A PVC-based, layered floor covering, comprising the following successive layers: a. a first PVC layer; b. a layer of a first PVC permeated textile product; c. a second PVC layer; d. a layer of a second PVC permeated textile product; e. a decorative layer comprising a polymer layer; f. a wear layer comprising a transparent polymer layer; wherein the first PVC layer has a thickness of more than 2.0 mm, consists of foamed PVC and provides the underside of the floor covering.
Designing a 3D Graphics Processor for Mobile Applications

High performance 3D graphics processor is one of the most important hardware modules in modern mobile SoC design. This paper presents the design of a fully programmable 3D graphics processor taking advantage of unified shader architecture for mobile applications. We adopt multi-thread scheduling to utilize data, instruction parallelism and reduce data dependency stalls. In the unified shader core design, we adopt single instruction multiple data (SIMD) architecture to support four concurrent scalar operation. Moreover, we propose a novel special function unit for floating point transcendental function computation. Using these optimization methods, the proposed mobile 3D graphics processor achieves vertex and fragment processing speed of 600M/s under 40nm technology.
Automated improvement of continuous user interfaces

We propose to develop two tools for creating, in a systematic way, better user interfaces based on continuous, non-symbolic actions, such as swipes on a touch screen, 3-D motions with a hand-held device, or breath patterns in a user interface for otherwise paralyzed patients. The tools are based on two experimental/computational techniques developed in the ABACUS project: iterated learning and social coordination.
In iterated learning, sets of signals produced by one user are learned and reproduced by another user. The reproductions are then in turn learned by the next user. In the ABACUS project, it has been shown that this results in more learnable sets of signals. We propose to show how this can be applied to creating learnable and usable signals in a systematic way when design a user interface for a device that allows continuous actions.
In social coordination, it has been shown that signals become simplified and more abstract when people communicate over an extended period of time. The ABACUS project has developed techniques to detect and quantify this. We propose to show how these can be used for a user interface that adapts to its user. This will allow novice users to use more extended and therefore more learnable versions of actions, while the system adapts when users become more adept at using the interface and reduce their actions. Because the system is adaptive, the user is not constrained in how they do this.

Concretely, we propose to implement these two tools, investigate how they can be used optimally and advertise them to
interested companies, starting with ones with which we have contact, but extending our network at the start of the project through a business case development. In order to disseminate the results we propose to involve a user committee and organize one or more workshops.
Sustainable use of former and abandoned landfills network for you

SufalNet4EU is an INTERREG IVC Capitalisation project that aims to provide regional and local authorities from various EU countries with specific instruments to redevelop closed and abandoned landfills in their territories, by developing Action Plans that will be implemented through mainstream Structural Funds programmes in each participating region. 

Lead by the Province of Noord-Brabant (NL) SufalNet4EU brings together 15 regional authorities from 10 different EU Member States that will work together intensively during this 2-year project. The project builds on the results and good practices in redevelopment of landfill sites developed in the INTERREG IIIC project SufalNet (2005-2007) and several other (EU-funded) projects. The key best practice capitalised in this project is the SufalNet Model Strategy for Landfill Redevelopment.

The core activity of SufalNet4EU is the development of regional Action Plans for redevelopment of one or more closed landfill sites. Each partner drafts
a regional Action Plan based on a joint framework. The development of the plans is a cooperative effort, in which all partners go step-by-step through a standardised, clearly defined Action Planning process.

During each step of this process, the partners get together to exchange their content knowledge and experience and reflect on the Action Plans as they develop. Within this interregional exchange, partners sharing similar challenges and situations in their region are working even more closely together in thematic Working Groups. Three of these groups are formed, respectively focussing on redevelopment on a Regional Scale (multiple sites), redevelopment into Landscape and Nature and redevelopment for Economic functions.

Each partner works intensively with the various key stakeholders in his region while developing its regional Action Plan. This ensures the action plans meet all regional needs and requirements and have the necessary commitment for successful future implementation.
Before the start of the project all partners have obtained the cooperative support of the Managing Authority of the relevant Structural Funds Operational Programme in their area. These authorities stay involved in the action planning, offering the best possible guarantee for the use of Structural Funds for eventually implementing the action plans. 

The SufalNet partners put considerable effort in the dissemination of their combined best practice knowledge in landfill redevelopment to practitioners and policymakers across the EU. They will organise public conferences and contribute to other events on the subject. In each country represented in the partnership, a national information event will be hosted for waste and landfill management professionals from all parts of the country.

At the end of the project, at a final public conference, the Action Plans of all partner regions will be presented and politically endorsed by the regional authorities and Structural Funds managing bodies.