SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Large-Scale Fast Fourier Transform

This chapter shows how to achieve substantial speedups on large-scale fast Fourier transfers (FFTs). These FFTs are hard to accelerate, without data locality, on GPU clusters because the bottleneck often lies with the PCI bus or the communication network. Optimizing FFT for a single-GPU device does not improve the overall performance. A GPU cluster is a network-connected workstation cluster with one or more GPU devices on each node. Computation-intensive tasks, such as dense matrix multiplication and Linpack, are often easy to accelerate by GPUs. Most existing codes assume FFTs to have a “small scale” so that the entire user data can be held in one GPU's dmem. It fits an application scenario in which FFT is performed repeatedly on these data. Then the overhead to transfer the source data from and to the host memory is overwhelmed by the computation time. This chapter considers a “large-scale” FFT whose dataset is too large to fit in one GPU's dmem and requires multiple GPU nodes. Three GPU-related factors contribute to better performance: first, the use of GPU devices improves the sustained memory bandwidth for processing large-size data; second, GPU device memory allows larger subtasks to be processed in whole and hence reduces repeated data transfers between memory and processors; and finally some costly main-memory operations such as matrix transposition can be significantly sped up by GPUs if necessary data adjustment is performed during data transfers. The technique of manipulating array dimensions during data transfer is the main technical contribution.
Nucleases in homologous recombination: from basic principles to genome editing

Homologous recombination plays a crucial role to repair DNA strand breaks that may occur spontaneously upon replication fork collapse, during the course of radio- or chemotherapy or in a programmed manner during meiosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of re-combinational repair is thus very important not only from a basic research viewpoint, but it is also highly relevant for human health. Here, we will define the function of nucleases in homol-ogous recombination. First, we will study the initial steps in this pathway. We could show previously that the S. cerevisiae Sae2 protein promotes the endonuclease activity of the Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 (MRX) complex near protein blocked DNA ends. This initiates nucleolytic resection of DNA breaks and activates homologous recombination. Our biochemical setup will be instrumental to define how is the activity of Sae2 regulated by phosphorylation on a mech-anistic level and how physiological protein blocks direct the Mre11 endonuclease. We will ex-tend the study to the human system, and attempt to apply the gained knowledge to improve the efficiency of genome editing by activating recombination in conjunction with the CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease system. Second, we will study how homologous recombination promotes gen-eration of genetic diversity during sexual reproduction. DNA strand breaks are introduced in-tentionally during the prophase of the first meiotic division. They are then processed by the recombination machinery into Holliday junction intermediates. These joint molecules are preferentially converted into crossovers in meiosis, resulting in exchange of genetic infor-mation between the maternal and paternal DNA molecules. This is dependent on the Mlh1-Mlh3 nuclease through a yet unknown mechanism. We will study how Mlh1-Mlh3 in complex with other proteins guarantee crossover outcome to promote diversity of the progeny.
Genetic aspects of mitochondrial genome evolution

Many years of extensive studies of metazoan mitochondrial genomes have established differences in gene arrangements and genetic codes as valuable phylogenetic markers. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of replication, transcription and the role of the control regions which cause e.g. different gene orders is important to assess the phylogenetic signal of such events. This review summarises and discusses, for the Metazoa, the general aspects of mitochondrial transcription and replication with respect to control regions as well as several proposed models of gene rearrangements. As whole genome sequencing projects accumulate, more and more observations about mitochondrial gene transfer to the nucleus are reported. Thus occurrence and phylogenetic aspects concerning nuclear mitochondrial-like sequences (NUMTS) is another aspect of this review.
Prioritizing low carbon mobility services for improving accessibility of citizens

The Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is a recent concept whose main objective is to change the way people travel and pay for mobility services. The provision of transport services is one of the key pillars of strategic importance for regional authorities. Therefore, regional policy instruments can play a valuable role in supporting the introduction of MaaS and simultaneously ensuring these new platforms will contribute to low carbon transport policy-goals, social inclusion and increased levels of accessibility.

The main vision of PriMaaS is to promote the integration of traditional collective transport modes with personal and innovative ones by creating equitable mobility services truly focused on citizens' needs. Regional and national policy instruments should be adapted to promote a fully integrated intermodal approach between all transport services, namely by using data provided and gathered in real time about both travel demand and travel supply. At the same time, multiscale policy instruments should ensure that the more comfortable and affordable travel options for any individual to get from A to B has also minimum carbon levels. 

PriMaaS aims at increasing inter-organizational collaboration and building trust among key stakeholders (transport authorities, operators, providers of mobility services and consumers protection organizations). This will be achieved by promoting thematic regional and interregional exchange of experience events. 

By collaborating with the policy learning platform, PriMaaS will contribute to feed a knowledge hub focused on increasing accessibility levels based on the MaaS concept, therefore contributing for unravelling the full potential of regional transport networks and maximizing their efficiency. At the end of the 1st phase, 4 policy briefings and 6 action plans will be available to support policymakers and prepare regional policy instruments to a new arising paradigm in the transport sector.
Ris[K]

"This project is part of the plan TERRES MONVISO" : The project aims to find new technical solutions and organisational models to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to natural hazards, through structural interventions for traffic safety on roads in the cross-border area, especially high mountains and to ensure the passage between the two slopes throughout the year, to the benefit of both the people who live/work there, and the people who visit these territories. In particular, the project is developing an integrated intervention system, applied to 3 pilot sites on strategic key intersections/locations: Col de la Madeleine for avalanche risk, Col Agnel for landslides, and the RD947 for the Guil torrent (landslide at le Pas de l’Ours) flood risk. The new partnership model should allow the definition of a specific bilateral mobility commission that ensures its continuity.

This PITER aims to create a permanent collaboration for a coordinated gestion of development policies in a homogeneous and well-defined area, the cross-border area of Monviso, thorough the development of new instruments of territorial concertation and the creation of a touristic cross-border destination linked to Monviso. The strategy confirm an high implication of local political institutions, Monviso territory as territorial and identarian aggregation and of a declared political will de front together common problematics of local development thorough 4 simple projects on the 4 axes of the program: Green Economy “research and innovation”, Risk “risks prevention”, ToUR “natural and cultural heritage”, and Incl “health and social services”.
PIPE REPAIR

A pipe repair apparatus for repairing partially collapsed pipes. The pipe repair apparatus comprises: an actuation assembly comprising: a plurality of actuation arms; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders; and a plurality of hydraulic lines, wherein each hydraulic line in the plurality of hydraulic lines supplies hydraulic fluid to a respective hydraulic cylinder in the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, wherein each hydraulic cylinder in the plurality of hydraulic cylinders is configured to move a respective actuation arm in the plurality of actuation arms between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration to move a partially collapsed part of a partially collapsed pipe from a partially collapsed form to a non-collapsed form. The pipe repair apparatus comprises a control module configured to control each individual hydraulic line in the plurality of hydraulic lines such that each actuation arm in the plurality of actuation arms is actuated independently.
Breakthrough solutions for the sustainable harvesting and processing of deep sea polymetallic nodules

A key EU policy aims to reduce the Union dependency on raw materials imports, in particular (candidate) Critical Raw Materials that are vital for the EU innovative technologies. Topic SC5-11c-2015 scope focuses on “developing new highly-automated technological sustainable solutions for deep mining … in the sea bed combined with in-situ processing of minerals”. An existing but challenging raw material resource concerns polymetallic nodules. These round to elongated concretions of 1–15 cm diameter form on sediment-covered deep-sea plains in all oceans between 4-6000m water depth. The challenge to harvest and transport the nodules to the EU shore is taken on by Blue Nodules. The governing project principle is: industrial viability within the context of a realistic and technical, economic and environmentally balanced business case for the complete Polymetallic Nodules value chain of mining, processing and valorisation. Blue Nodules will develop and test to TRL6 maturity a new highly-automated and technologically sustainable deep sea mining system. Key features are: an annual production capability of 2 Million Tons nodules in water depths up to 6000m, in-situ processing of the nodules and intrinsic safe working conditions. Technical WPs are dedicated to subsea harvesting equipment & control technology, in-situ seafloor processing of polymetallic nodules and sea surface, land operations & processes. A dedicated WP focuses on environmental issues and on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). A WP setting requirements and assessing the developed technology controls the entire work plan structure. High credibility is obtained by linking the project work to a nodule field licence owned by a project partner and located in the most promising known nodule deposit: the Clarion Clipperton Zone. The project consortium contains 14 leading industry and research partners from 9 EU member states. The project duration is 48 months, the required funding amounts to 8 Million.
Antibacterial and protein-repellent orthodontic cement to combat biofilms and white spot lesions

White spot lesions are the most undesired side-effect of fixed orthodontic treatments. The objectives of this study were to combine nanoparticles of silver (NAg) with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) to develop a modified resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGI) as orthodontic cement with double benefits of antibacterial and protein-repellent capabilities for the first time.NAg and MPC were incorporated into a commercial RMGI. Another commercial orthodontic adhesive also served as control. Enamel shear bond strengths (SBS) were determined. Protein adsorption was measured via a micro bicinchoninic acid method. A dental plaque microcosm biofilm model with human saliva as inoculum was tested. Biofilms adherent on the cement samples and planktonic bacteria in the culture medium away from the cement surfaces were both evaluated for bacterial metabolic activity, colony-forming units (CFU), and lactic acid production.Adding 0.1% NAg and 3% MPC to RMGI, and water-aging for 30 days, did not adversely affect the SBS, compared to the unmodified RMGI control (p>0.1). The modified RMGI containing 0.1% NAg and 3% MPC achieved the greatest reduction in protein adsorption, bacterial adhesion, CFU, metabolic activity and lactic acid production. The RMGI containing 0.1% NAg and 3% MPC inhibited not only the bacteria on its surface, but also the bacteria away from the surface in the culture medium.The incorporation of double agents (antibacterial NAg+protein-repellent MPC) into RMGI achieved much stronger inhibition of biofilms than using each agent alone. The novel antibacterial and protein-repellent RMGI with substantially-reduced biofilm acids is promising as an orthodontic cement to combat white spot lesions in enamel.
Locomotion Control of a Biped Robot through a Feedback CPG Network

This paper proposes a locomotion control system for biped robots by using a network of Central Pattern Generators (CPGs) implemented with Matsuoka’s oscillators. The proposed control system is able to control the system behaviour with a few parameters by using simple rhythmical signals. A network topology is proposed in order to control the generation of trajectories for a biped robot in the joint-space both in the sagittal and coronal planes. The feedback signals are directly fed into the network for controlling the robot’s posture and resetting the phase of the locomotion pattern in order to prevent the robot from falling down whenever a risk situation arises. A Genetic Algorithm is used to find optimal parameters for the system in open-loop. The system behaviour in closed-loop has been studied and analysed through extensive simulations. Finally, a real NAO humanoid robot has been used in order to validate the proposed control scheme.
Real-vector-space quantum theory with a universal quantum bit

We explore a model of the world based on real-vector-space quantum theory. In our model the familiar complex phase appearing in quantum states is replaced by a single binary object that we call the ubit, which is not localized and which can interact with any object in the world. Ordinary complex-vector-space quantum theory can be recovered from this model if we simply impose a certain restriction on the sets of allowed measurements and transformations (Stueckelberg's rule), but in this paper we try to obtain the standard theory, or a close approximation to it, without invoking such a restriction. We look particularly at the effective theory that applies to a subsystem when the ubit is interacting with a much larger environment. In a certain limit it turns out that the ubit-environment interaction has the effect of enforcing Stueckelberg's rule automatically, and we obtain a one-parameter family of effective theories--modifications of standard quantum theory--that all satisfy this rule. The one parameter is the ratio s/omega, where s quantifies the strength of the ubit's interaction with the rest of the world and omega is the ubit's rotation rate. We find that when this parameter is small but not zero, the effective theory is similar to standard quantum theory but is characterized by spontaneous decoherence of isolated systems.
Safe and sensible tissue graspers for pediatric and (mini-)laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is the most common surgical intervention with over 15 million procedures performed annually worldwide. Most recently, the Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate shocked the medical community when discovering the risk of patient complications is 2-4% higher per laparoscopic operation as compared to its outdated equivalent, open abdominal surgery.  Patient post-operative complications are the most costly of medical errors, increasing hospital costs by € 15 Billion per year in EU/US, with €6 Billion directly contributed by 5 laparoscopic procedures. Clinical research acknowledges that state-of-the-art graspers lack force feedback capabilities, which is responsible for accidental tissue trauma, a primary factor of post-operative complications. In fact, it is observed that 38% of all grasper movements are unsuccessful, meaning the surgeon is unable to perform the desired action without repeated clamping, slip, or obvious tissue trauma.  MMI is commercializing a new line of force feedback surgical graspers that replaces the root technology of state-of-the-art to address the immediate clinical needs, while converging onto three business trends in the market. The SensAtouch grasper is more sensitive, cost effective, and can be diametrically miniaturised without loss of performance.  The SensAtouch technology operates on the same working principles as state-of-the-art instruments and is attachable onto the vast majority of commercially-available grasper handles. Therefore, this innovation will disrupt the laparoscopic device market by enhancing safety and effectiveness, while maintaining operating room dynamics and medical device supply chains. The SensAtouch grasper can be procured without added costs to the hospital, while reducing post-operative complication costs up to € 6 Billion in the EU/US annually. The entry market of pediatric surgery opens direct access into the mini- and general laparoscopic device markets valued globally at € 8.9 billion in 2017.
Consumption values: scale development and validation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to build on the Consumer Perceived Value (CPV) phenomenon by theoretically defining and empirically developing a Services Perceived Value Scale (SPERVAL) in the context of services industry.Design/methodology/approach – The multidimensional SPERVAL scale relies upon exploratory research to identify “Value Indicators”. Given the constructs included in the proposed research model, it is quite clear that testing the model involves a study of consumers. Accordingly, this study is focused on consumers’ views and a blend of both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. The study has used qualitative research as a starting point, using exploratory research methods of focus group discussions and interviews. The results generated from the research were quantitatively analyzed with descriptive research by using questionnaires as the instrument.Findings – KMO and Bartlett's Test justified the use of factor analysis on the data. The reliability of the SPERVAL Sca...
Innovation Technologies for different abilities

The general objective is to improve the accessibility of public buildings, granting them full autonomy and the opportunity to be a part of the social and economic life. The aim of the project is to transform the accessibility constrains into opportunities and implement a new territory development model that involves the whole territory system and not only occasional interventions.
The specific objectives of this project are:
o to promote the culture of innovation;
o to grant an adequate communication and information on structures’ accessibility;
o to favor good practices exchange;
o to promote the realization of solutions, valid for everybody;
o to enhance the public awareness of social themes;
o to develop the accessible design culture among corporations, institutions and public organs.
Does Concentration Matter for Bank Stability? Evidence from the Albanian Banking Sector

Abstract Motivated by the debate on the concentration-stability nexus, this paper studies the impact of bank concentration on the likelihood of a country suffering systemic bank fragility. For this reason, we followed a new approach using on-site bank balance sheet information to construct our proxy that represents each bank stability condition and uses a variety of internal and external factors to estimate a balance panel dynamic two-step General Method of Moments (GMM) approach for the period 2008 - 2015. First, results provide supportive evidence consistent with the concentration-fragility view. Second, macroeconomic variables seem to have a significant effect on bank stability, which is not found for the sovereignty primary risk. By contrast, the bank-specific variables have also a significant effect on bank stability conditions. Finally, non-systemic banks are found to be more sensitive to macroeconomic condition and market concentration, while the better capitalised banks are less sensitive to fragility at the expense of lower operation efficiency.
MicroRNA identity and abundance in developing swine adipose tissue as determined by solexa sequencing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ∼22-nt regulatory RNAs that regulate the stability and translation of cognate mRNAs. MiRNAs participate in the regulation of adipogenesis, and identification of the full repertoire of miRNAs expressed in adipose tissue is likely to significantly increase our understanding of adipose tissue growth and development. Here, we adopted a deep sequencing approach to determine the identity and abundance of miRNAs in developing swine adipose tissue. Via this approach, we identified the sequences and relative expression levels of 227 conserved miRNAs (of which 59 were novel) and 66 potential porcine miRNAs. The expression levels displayed a large range, as reflected by the number of sequence reads, which varied from several counts for rare miRNAs to several million reads for the most abundant miRNAs. The abundant miRNAs principally belonged to 32 miRNA gene families, including miR-143, miR-103, let-7, and miR-148. Of the conserved miRNAs, 93 miRNAs were up-regulated and 33 miRNAs were down-regulated in the adult pig adipose tissue. Moreover, we observed sequence variants and seed edits of the miRNAs. KEGG pathway analysis and GO term enrichment suggested that highly expressed miRNAs are involved in adipose tissue development, signal transduction, cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix communication, neural development and function, and lipid metabolism including carboxylic acid, oxoacid, fatty acid, steroid, glycerolipid, alcohol and phospholipid metabolism. Our results expand the number of known porcine miRNAs and provide a thorough account of the miRNA transcriptome in porcine adipose tissue.
Wool as Outstanding Opportunity for Leverage

ADRION Regions are rich with wool-based tourism potential and wool is deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. Challenges are that wool is currently rarely processed and instead it is thrown away and destroyed. Numerous unemployed artists, craftsman and sheep breeders are not aware of the economic potential of wool-related products which could give the ADRION region its authentic identity. Overall objective of WOOL project is to conserve wool as an important natural resource and to protect cultural heritage of traditional hand-made wool products by enhancing the regional cooperation and knowledge transfer and by promoting the common ADRION regional brand. Main outputs of the project are: 

(1) Identification of wool production resources and capabilities.

(2) Creation of a regional strategy for utilization of wool-based resources.

(3) Development of wool-based tourism products.

(4) Establishment of Adrion WOOL network.

(5) Promotion of regional WOOL brand. 

By ensuring careful examination of the state related to wool resources on the one hand and craftsmanship on the other hand, basis for further valorization of the offer will be made. New sustainable wool/shepherd-based tourism offer will be developed, valorizing endangered cultural heritage in the ADRION area. Pilot actions, implemented within WOOL, will ensure testing of the concept and direct results for involved stakeholders from four different sides (researchers-practitioners-clients-policy makers) all of which will contribute to the valorization of heritage and will positively affect the economic growth of the region. Inter-regional approach is of vital relevance in the area of (i) collecting the wool, (ii) wool processing analysis (mapping of the value chain members), (iii) creating a novel and contemporary design of traditional hand-made wool products in collaboration with craftsman and artists and (iv) tourism product development and regional branding.