SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Bx platform converting real time data into more efficient trucking operations

Planning departments are generally appointed to coordinate and administer all activities in logistics supply chain, with the aim to create a highly efficient schedule. Nevertheless, due to a number of factors the complexity of transport scheduling is increasing rapidly resulting to the specific needs of cutting down costs, business process improvement and improved customer service. Hence there is a need for IT-based scheduling solutions that combine orders with routes and shifts in such a way that total costs are minimized and all business rules and service constraints are satisfied. Although, APS software can be useful for automated scheduling, existing applications mainly make use of batch planning algorithms limited to tomorrow and next day’s deliveries (12-24 hours old data). What is more, they fail to adapt to today’s business where planners has to make trade-offs between optimal and feasible routes and adjust to changes in the course of the day.
BX Platform reinvents the industry by enabling the concept of automated real time scheduling. Based on proprietary AI algorithms and a 24/7 running solid platform we connect the various stakeholders of the supply chain into a new market place, where real time data are converted into more efficient trucking operations and real-time communication is achieved. It results to the following unique offerings: 1) 5-10% reduced trucking costs through scheduling with real time data compared to 12-24 hours old data, 2) 25-50% reduced cost in the office: By eliminating manual scheduling support costs are significantly reduced and 3) Improved customer service: Customized portals and app to keep stakeholders constantly informed. We have achieved a degree of technological maturity which allows us to look towards the commercial stage We will need an additional investment to develop our software in such a way that scheduling can be planned automatically 24/7 based on the continuous feeding of real-time data from different sources.
Breaking and rebuilding the genome: mechanistic rules for the dangerous game of sex.

Sexual reproduction depends on the programmed induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and their ensuing repair by homologous recombination. This complex process is essential for sexual reproduction because it ultimately allows the pairing and separation of homologous chromosomes during formation of haploid gametes. Although meiotic recombination has been investigated for decades, many of the underlying molecular processes remain unclear, largely due to the lack of biochemical studies. I have recently made important progress by, for the first time, successfully purifying proteins involved in two aspects of meiotic recombination: DSB formation and the final stage of formation of the crossovers that are a central raison-d’être of meiotic recombination. This has opened new avenues for future research that I intend to pursue in my own laboratory. Here, I propose a set of biochemical approaches, complemented by molecular genetics methods, to gain insights into four central problems: (i) How meiotic proteins collaborate to induce DSBs; (ii) How DSB proteins interact with components that form the axes of meiotic chromosomes; (iii) How proteins involved at later stages of recombination form crossovers; and (iv) How crossover proteins interact with components of synapsed chromosomes. For each problem, I will set up in vitro systems to probe the activities of the players involved, their interactions with DNA, and their assembly into macromolecular complexes. In addition, I propose to develop new methodology for identifying proteins that are associated with DNA that has undergone recombination-related DNA synthesis. My goal is to gain insights into the mechanisms that govern meiotic recombination. Importantly, these mechanisms are intimately linked not only to gamete formation, but also to the general recombination pathways that all cells use to maintain genome stability. In both contexts, our findings will be relevant to the development and avoidance of disease states.
Institutions, access, and entitlements to water supply: the case of urban households in the Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu

This paper discusses the institutions, access, and entitlements to water supply in urban households in slum clusters and developed regions.The major institutions of water supply in the area of study are the municipal tap, self provision by groundwater sources, and water vendors. The planned urban limit and the unplanned urban limit are the sole factors that determine the institutional arrangements for water supply and the availability of combination of sources between the regions. Sen's entitlements approach is applied for estimating access to water supply among different income groups, institutions, and regions.The study finds that the quantity of water access differs between the developed regions and the slum clusters, which highlights the inefficiency of institutional arrangements and the prevalence of inequality in water access.
PROCESS FOR RECIRCULATING ASHES GENERATED BY STEAM PRODUCING BOILERS

A process for treating ashes generated by steam producing boilers. The process according to the present invention fundamentally provides for the reintroduction of ashes into the combustion chamber, preferably using a conveyor belt type dry ash extractor system. Through the use of the process according to the invention the unburnt matter percentage in ashes is highly reduced thus increasing the boiler efficiency and having as a final result ashes which are more easily treatable, usable and disposable and having a very small size.
High-Speed Serial Protocol Multi-Link and Multi-Stage for FPGAs

This work presents a high-speed communication link implementation for a high-resolution camera used in a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, that was already in space. The whole acquisition system involves three Microsemi FPGAs that move a great amount of data over a multi-link high-speed serial channel. The implementation of a custom protocol is proposed to perform a point-to-point communication. To validate the proposal, tests on hardware are presented, reaching an average speed up to 2.96 Gbps. Finally, the proposed design is compared with other proprietary solution from Microsemi, highlighting the pros and cons of each one. The protocol presented in this work, was implemented and it has worked successfully in space.
Financial Innovation - Crowdfunding: Friend or Foe?

Abstract A phenomenon with a considerable past, and with new conspicuous investment models and financial products and services proliferated through the Internet; financial innovation seems to be almost ubiquitous these days. While there are numerous advantages, especially nowadays through the exploitation of easily accessible, low cost and convenient e-commerce platforms, innovation in the finance sector does not come without its perils. Banks and traditional financial institutions are losing chunks of market share to virtual intermediaries and investors are operating in relatively less regulated and, consequently, less secure environments. Furthermore, from the perspective of all stakeholders, there is a Knightian uncertainty component of the long-term ramifications in investing in and through newly developed products and platforms. As such, it is only recently that economic history witnessed the outbreak of the sub-prime mortgage crisis caused by the unraveling of a chain of events interlinked through the imprudent use of “innovative” derivative transactions involving credit default swaps backed by the insatiable appetite of the “irrationally exuberant” investor and the easement of regulation paving the leeway for predatory lending. This paper investigates whether and to what extent innovative investment models such as crowdfunding, as the game-changer, forcing the tightly regulated securities markets to adapt to the rules of the WEB 3.0 era and relieved through the provision, Title III, of the JOBS Act, could be a potential peril. To that end, it discusses the evolution of the equity crowdfunding model in the realm of the technology push - demand pull framework and analyzes the current situation of the market.
Wireless kayak on-water ergometry – Part 1: Paddle blade force

The aim of this work was to present a new wireless paddle force measurement system and to evaluate this measurement system. The system is redeveloped from a previous design and includes inertial motion sensors, which allows for the movement and inertia of the paddle to be taken into account. The system consists of two sensor nodes, designed for quick attachment to virtually any kayak paddle and an Android phone or tablet. Each sensor node measures the bending of the shaft in one plane. We derive the expressions necessary for computing the force on the paddle blade in two directions, ignoring the force in the direction of the shaft. Two different schemes for calibrating the system are presented. The accuracy and reliability of the system is evaluated in a laboratory setting using a material testing machine. An average error of 0.4% can be achieved for force measurements following directly after calibration. When the sensors are removed and reattached between calibration and measurements, average error betw...
Thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption of some 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4,5-tetrazines from water-acetonitrile solutions on phenyl-bonded silica gel

Standard differential molar changes of the Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy during adsorption in the Henry region of 17 derivatives of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine from water-acetonitrile solutions with acetonitrile concentrations of 20 to 80 vol % and a variation step of 5 vol % on silica gel with grafted phenyl groups at column temperatures of 313.15 to 333.15 K with at a step of 5 K are determined under dynamic conditions by high-performance liquid chromatography. The dependence of the thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption on the molecular structure of adsorbates is discussed. It is established that the absolute values of the changes in the Gibbs energy and enthalpy during adsorption as a whole increase with increasing Van der Waals surface area and volume of the adsorbate molecules, while the adsorption of most 1,3,4-oxadiazoles is characterized by a dependence close to isentropic. It is assumed that the determining role in the change of entropy during adsorption from solutions is played by the polarity of the adsorbate molecule and the conformational flexibility of its substituents.
Analysis of Brain-Neuromuscular Synchronization and Coupling Strength in Muscular Dystrophy after NPT Treatment

We perform an analysis of brain-neuromuscular synchronization and coupling strength in muscular dystrophy before and after NPT treatment. In order to estimate with accuracy the level of brain synchronization, we introduce and use the method of the cross GMI that was elaborated by Pompe. The finality is to account for the nonlinear chaotic dynamic contributions that regulate the dynamics. We find that this method is excellent and it may be applied in such case of sEMG and EEG study as well as at a general neurological level. By it we arrive to quantify the coupling strength and synchronization first between two muscular sections (left and right trapezes) and after between Brain activity, as recorded by the EEG, and the trapezes. We compare the results before and after the NPT treatment and we find that the improvement obtained following such treatment is very consistent. We have now in progress other studies relating in particular the application of such new methodologies to other more serious pathologies as the HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia).
Construction and Performance Analysis of Database Cluster System in Virtual Environment

The configuration and management of database cluster based on physical host have the problem of complex configuration and poor flexibility.Virtualization technology combined with cluster system management makes the system management and resource construction more flexible and transparent.This paper presents Xen Server virtual platform and MySQL database cluster system based concept proof scheme.The performance of the system is analyzed by comparing with the testing data of MySQL 5.1 single server version.The solution proposed in this paper not only reduces the complexity of database cluster system deployment through using the rapid replication function of virtual platform,improves the flexibility of configuration,but also has higher performance advantage in concurrency and massive data processing compared to MySQL 5.1 single server version.
The changing face of Microsporum spp infections

Significant changes in epidemiology, etiology, and the clinical pattern of mycotic infections caused by Microsporum spp have been observed in recent years. Fungal infections caused by M canis, followed by M gypseum and M hominis, involving skin and its appendages, represent one of the most common diseases worldwide and a recalcitrant problem in dermatology that demands appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies. The most striking clinical phenomena of superficial and kerion and other forms of tinea, such as tinea capitis, fungal infections of the glabrous skin (tinea pedis, manus, cruris et corporis), and even onychomycosis due to Microsporum spp are described, with emphasis on the changes that have occurred in the last decade. The data on significant differences in the prevalence and clinical pattern of the fungal skin infections caused by Microsporum spp today compared with the data at the beginning of the epidemic breakout might still be rather controversial, depending also on the patients' lifestyle and geography. In general, physicians should be aware of the clinical spectrum of mycotic infections due to Microsporum spp to avoid mistakes in identifying the fungal etiology and to provide patients with the proper therapy.
The Vyncke et al. solution for pricing European-style arithmetic Asian options

This paper investigates the European-style arithmetic Asian option pricing solution of Vyncke, Dhaene, and Goovaerts (2004) who apply the concept of comonotonicity to obtain upper and lower bounds for the true option price. A moment-matching formula is used to find a weighted average solution of the two bounds, thereby obtaining a fast approximation to the true price. This method is implemented and tested against an accurate Monte Carlo benchmark and compared with some other well-known closed-form approximations. Although a summary of some of the theoretical aspects underpinning the solution is provided to build intuitive understanding, the focus of the paper lies instead in the empirical analysis. The Vyncke et al. solution is found to be very accurate across a range of input parameters and outperforms competing solutions in some important cases, most notably high volatility and long maturities.
Developmental origins: exploring the nature-nurture interplay

The “Developmental Origins of Health and Disease” (DOHaD) hypothesis states that insults in early life can have lifelong, irreversible impacts, affecting individuals’ health and well-being in older age. My proposed research builds on this in two main ways. First, I will use natural experiments to investigate the causal impact of early life circumstances on later life outcomes, focusing on novel (1) nutritional, (2) toxicological, (3) health and (4) economic environments in early life. Within these, I will consider insults (i) for which there is insufficient knowledge of their long-term impacts, (ii) which are relevant today, and (iii) importantly, which are modifiable. Second, I will go beyond the old “nature versus nurture” debate and investigate how individuals’ genes (‘nature’) interacts with the above early life environments (‘nurture’) in creating inequalities in health and well-being.

Whilst neither the estimation of causal effects within DOHaD, nor the estimation of the gene-environment (GxE) interplay is new, their combination is. Indeed, it is currently not known how the early life environment interacts with genetic predisposition to causally shape later life outcomes, as well as whether certain environments exacerbate or reduce health inequalities in the population. Combining advancements across disciplines, I will evaluate the long-term effects of short-term variations in early life conditions (objective 1), and I will directly test the hypothesis that gene-environment interactions causally shape later life outcomes (objective 2). I will digitize historical data on early life environmental exposures and merge these with large-scale individual-level data. As such, my proposal will investigate the extent to which genes interact with the environment, using natural experiments to identify interventions that can ameliorate inequalities in health and well-being (objective 3).
Physical principles of the creation of novel spintronic materials on the base of multilayered metal-oxide films for magnetic sensors and mram

The main goal of the project is the elaboration of research and development principles and technology, as well as creation of novel nanoheterostructures for application in spintronic devices, first of all, in magnetic field sensors and magnetoresistive random access memories. The key research and technological aspects are focused on the formation of layers and/or nanosized grains of a ferromagnetic material with an ultimate degree of conduction electron spin polarization, separated by dielectric interlayers. The main research, technological and innovation aspects of the work are aimed at an increase of the devices’ sensitivity to magnetic fields thanks to the high degree of spin polarization and to the magnetoresistance due to electron quantum tunneling through dielectric barriers. 

The proposed creation methods of the device prototypes can be rapidly implemented in the automotive, electronic and biomedical industries by means of a rather simple technology, which makes them attractive for the industry across the EU, as only the standard technological equipment is used. The new generation spintronic devices to be developed in the present project will possess high sensitivity, speed performance and low energy consumption.

The project aims as well at the creation of a stimulating and interdisciplinary training partnership, with actors from the academia and private sector, promoting the exchange of ideas, methods, techniques as well as enabling an accelerated technology transfer from science to industry through a continuous collaboration between the stakeholders. Working on spintronics demands strongly innovative and interdisciplinary skills, since there is a lot of pressure from the private sector to develop new original solutions for the modern devices. Training of the high-level personnel possessing complementary interdisciplinary skills is thus a key issue.
The Growth ofMonoraphidiumsp. andScenedesmussp. Cells in the Presence of Thorium

Toxicity of thorium by Monoraphidium sp. and Scenedesmus sp. was studied. Microalgal cultures were inoculated in ASM-1 medium in presence and absence of thorium. Its effect was monitored by direct counting on Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber and with software. The toxicity of thorium over the species was observed for concentrations over 50.0 mg/L. After 30 days, Monoraphidium cells decreased their concentration from<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>4.23</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mn>6</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math>to<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>4.27</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mn>5</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math>and<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>8.57</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mn>5</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> cells/mL, in the presence of 50.0 and 100.0 mg/L of thorium, respectively. Scenedesmus sp. cells were more resistant to thorium: for an initial cell concentration of<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>7.65</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mn>4</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> cells/mL it was observed a change to<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>5.25</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mn>5</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math>and<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>5.12</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mn>5</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> cells/mL, in the presence of thorium at 50.0 and 100.0 mg/L, respectively. This is an indication that low concentrations of the radionuclide favored the growth, and that Scenedesmus cells are more resistant to thorium than Monoraphidium cells. The software used for comparison with direct count method proved to be useful for the improvement of accuracy of the results obtained, a decrease in the uncertainty and allowed recording of the data. The presence of thorium suggests that low concentrations have a positive effect on the growth, due to the presence of the nitrate, indicating its potential for ecotoxicological studies.
Porifera MZS

The Porifera collection at the MZS comprises some 2000 specimens and is the most reference-rich ensemble of the museum collections with 111 valid types. The specimens have broad worldwide origins and were collected in their vast majority in the second half of the 19th century. Two ensembles are particularly valuable: one is the collection of Oskar Schmidt (ca. 600) with his collects in the Adriatic and more generally the Mediterranean seas. It is combined with close to 200 sponges collected by Alexander Agassiz during his journeys with the US Coast Survey along the Atlantic coasts of the Americas, and which were analysed by Schmidt. The second large collection is that from Japanese seas gathered by Ludwig Döderlein in 1879-1881 (200 exemplars). They are all from the Sagami bay area. The MZS Porifera collection was later (first half of 20th century) revised and completed by Emile Topsent who collected in the Naples area. Several other collectors should be mentioned to refine the view: Arnold Edward Ortmann with specimens from Tanzanian coasts, Ernst Haeckel (Adriatic sea), Nathaniel Gist Gee (Chinese coasts), Karl Möbius (North see and Mauritius), Alexandre Myèvre (Mediterranean sea) and several expeditions: the Deutsche Tiefsee Expedition (1898-1899), the Deutsche Südpolar Expedition (1901-1903), the Barents (1882), Varna (1883) and Hassler (1871) Expeditions.
METHOD FOR ENHANCING FIBER BRIDGING

﻿Fluid compositions comprising rigid fibers, flexible fibers and solid plugging particles may effectively control the egress of fluids from a subterranean wellbore into vugs, cracks and fissures in the subterranean formation rock. The compositions may be effective in drilling fluids, cement slurries, gravel packing fluids, acidizing fluids and hydraulic fracturing fluids. Such fluids may also have utility for providing fluid diversion during well stimulation treatments, allowing the stimulation fluid to avoid higher permeability regions in the formation rock and treat the lower permeability regions, thereby improving stimulation results.