SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Decentralization as a constraint to Leviathan: a panel cointegration analysis

This paper extends the empirical literature about the effects of fiscal decentralization on the growth of government along three dimensions. It distinguishes between the effects of the level of decentralization from the way local governments finance their expenditures (common pool versus own resources); it uses a panel cointegration approach to separate the long run effects of decentralization from the short run dynamics; and it extends and revises the datasets generally used in these empirical analyses. The results show that the amount of revenue raised by sub-national governments leads to a long-term fall in the size of government but grants have the opposite effect. In addition, a greater decentralization of expenditure leads to greater overall spending. When the short-term is considered these influences work slowly, as the speed of adjustment towards the desired government size is relatively sluggish. In addition, in the short run, there is also a clear effect from the role of local revenue raising powers that stimulates the growth of government. These results appear robust to changes in the composition of the variables, countries and periods included the sample.
“Tracking nano-bioprocesses using super-resolution microscopy techniques”

Long-range research and innovation goal: The long-range goal of Nano-Supremi is to develop case studies to enable the advanced super-resolution microscopy to investigate nanoscale synthetic and biological structures and to probe nanoscale dynamic processes.
Long-range biomedical research and technology goal: The implementation of Nano-Supremi will allow for tracking nanometer-scale bioprocesses such as (i) nanomedicines cellular uptake and trafficking and (ii) single-molecule dynamic processes of DNA-protein, (iii) protein-membrane interactions.
Key Research Goals:  The objective of Nano-Supremi is to turn the following creative research ideas into advanced microscopy technologies and services. This will ultimately results in the evaluation of in vitro protein and DNA activity and therapeutic efficacy of nanomedicines plugging the gap between innovative research and its exploitation in clinical setting. 
Scientific impact: We identified a few innovative case studies to explore the potentiality of super resolution microscopy techniques in solving  nanoscale bio-structures and dynamic processes. 
Impact on early-stage researchers: Nano-Supremi involves key participation of junior researchers with outstanding record of achievements in education and research, providing strong support for the development of their careers.
Intersectoral dimension: A synergistic approach in using advanced technologies developed by microscope manufacturers to answer fundamental and applied questions on bioprocesses will be pursued. 
Interdisciplinary dimension: A complementary research program, ranging from nanophotonics, materials science, to molecular biology and bio-analytical chemistry, will drive the implementation of  research tasks towards the  full achievement of the objectives. 
International dimension: Funding of this program will enable long-term, transformative research collaborations between groups settled in European Countries  and in four non-EU Countries (AU, US, Brazil, Cu)
Serendipitous alkylation of a Plk1 ligand uncovers a new binding channel

We obtained unanticipated synthetic byproducts from alkylation of the δ(1) nitrogen (N3) of the histidine imidazole ring of the polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) polo-box domain (PBD)-binding peptide PLHSpT. For the highest-affinity byproduct, bearing a C(6)H(5)(CH(2))(8)- group, a Plk1 PBD cocrystal structure revealed a new binding channel that had previously been occluded. An N-terminal PEGylated version of this peptide containing a hydrolytically stable phosphothreonyl residue (pT) bound the Plk1 PBD with affinity equal to that of the non-PEGylated parent but showed markedly less interaction with the PBDs of the two closely related proteins Plk2 and Plk3. Treatment of cultured cells with this PEGylated peptide resulted in delocalization of Plk1 from centrosomes and kinetochores and in chromosome misalignment that effectively induced mitotic block and apoptotic cell death. This work provides insights that might advance efforts to develop Plk1 PBD-binding inhibitors as potential Plk1-specific anticancer agents.
Transport and Logistics Stakeholders Network

The development of harmonized mechanisms of cooperation among freight transport stakeholders is essential to strengthen environmentally-friendly multimodal transport in CE regions.TalkNET focuses on the improvement of the coordination of stakeholders to foster the integration between ports/inland terminals and transport operators and enhance efficient and sustainable multimodal logistics nodes.Main objective is the integration between ports, inland terminal and transport operators and the efficient management of terminals and last mile connections to enhance multimodal freight transport solutions.Main changes expected are the establishment of transnational coordination stakeholders networks for freight transport,the effective integration among port/inland terminals and transport operators and the enhancement and optimization of multimodal logistics nodes management and connections.The transnational added value of the project is enhanced through a transnational thematic clusters dimension linked to two macro topics - multimodal nodes efficiency and connections and ECO innovation solutions,bringing together main ports,inland terminals and logistics players.The project positively benefits the competitiveness of freight transport and support public actors in the decision making process.These results is achieved through the development and implementation of common knowledge tools, pilot actions and trainings to support investments on terminal management efficiency, new intermodal services, last mile connections and on the deployment of alternative fuels and energy efficiency solutions. Approach is innovative because it is focused on the optimization of existing infrastructures (not planning new ones) and in the development of common solutions in strong coordination with transport stakeholders.A learning loop has been defined starting from the definition of five knowledge tools that are improved at the end of the project through the experience aquired.
SEALING DEVICE

A device for sealing a rotary shaft (17), which is supported in bearings (18, 19) in an air-tight casing (20), which extends into a container (10), in which overpressure is maintained. The device comprises a seal holder (22) attached in the casing (20) with a mechanical shaft seal (21). The casing has openings (23) to render possible access to the side of the shaft seal (21) located in the casing (20). A detachable air-tight cover (24) is provided to close said openings (23) at operation.
Internal dosimetry of 210Pb in the human cranium: preliminary results from instrumentation needs for in vivo counting in a low-background underground counting facility

Internal dosimetry of (210)Pb in the cranium deals with the determination of the amount of energy deposited in tissue by (210)Pb radiations within the cranium. (210)Pb in the human cranium was monitored by in vivo counting in a low background facility 640 m (2100 ft) underground with a germanium (Ge) gamma-ray detector having a beryllium window. The minimum detectable activity (MDA) was established with this system to be 0.2 Bq (5 pCi) in 25-h counting time with a 15-mm diameter and 7-mm thick Ge detector, having a beryllium window of thickness of 0.08 mm, in contact with the cranium just above the ear adjacent to the temple region. To establish an MDA of 0.004 Bq (0.1 pCi) with this system, the limitation arising from the ambient radon level at 10 Bq m(-3) was investigated.
Synthesis and binding with BSA of a new gemini surfactant

Abstract We have synthesized a new gemini surfactant, glycol bis-N-tetradecyl nicotinate dibromide (designed as P14-1-14), and probed its combination with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by fluorescence spectroscopy, dual polarization interferometry (DPI), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and molecular docking. The experiments revealed, in one hand, P14-1-14 quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA by way of forming BSA/P14-1-14 complex with a binding constant of 2.14 × 104 L mol−1 at 293 K, that P14-1-14 augmented the thickness, mass, the refractive index (RI) and density of BSA, and that P14-1-14 declined the contents of α-helix (from 54.01% to 29.41%) but raised the random structure (from 7.86% to 22.27%). On the other hand, BSA shifted the proton resonance signals of P14-1-14 up-field and reduced relaxation time. The molecular docking manifested P14-1-14 embedded into subdomain of BSA, which made possible the π–π stacking between the electron-deficit pyridinium rings in P14-1-14 and the electron-abundant pyrrole ring in Trp residues of BSA, and that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction also took place during the binding. Therefore, the present work offers a whole view of the interaction of BSA with a new gemini surfactant.
Endoglandular trophoblast, an alternative route of trophoblast invasion? Analysis with novel confrontation co-culture models

Routes of trophoblast invasion seem to be clear, whereas specific invasive pathways need further elucidation. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) transform spiral arteries to guarantee appropriate blood flow to the placenta in the second trimester. Embryo nutrition during the first trimester is thought to be histiotrophic, whereas proof that EVTs also invade uterine glands is lacking. We developed novel three-dimensional confrontation co-culture models to elucidate invasion of EVTs into uterine glands.First trimester decidua parietalis and placental villous explants were directly confronted and co-cultured for 72 h, or confronted indirectly after 72 h pre-culture for re-epithelialization of decidua pieces. Cryosections were stained by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescent/immunohistochemical double labelling and compared with first trimester placentation sites in situ.EVTs deeply invaded decidual tissues in direct confrontation assays and were found between the decidual epithelial cells and epithelial basement membrane. EVTs were also detected in the decidual stroma in direct proximity to glands, sometimes even replacing glandular epithelial cells. Similar observations were made in sections from the first trimester decidua/placental bed. In the invaded parts of sections of decidua basalis, 55% +/- 7% (mean +/- SEM; n = 10, range 6-11 weeks) of glandular cross sections were associated with or infiltrated by EVTs.Using novel confrontation co-culture assays, a potential new route of EVT invasion was detected. EVTs appear to break through the basement membrane of uterine glands to open their lumen towards the intervillous space. These data support the hypothesis of histiotrophic nutrition of the embryo prior to onset of maternal blood flow within the placenta.
Biotechnologies for Human Health and Blue Growth

BYTHOS aims at promoting sustainable management of resources and ‘cleaner production’ in the fishing industry and food services sector in Sicily and Malta, thereby minimising risks associated with waste for the environment: The project also aims at promoting integration between research and the business sector so that results from research in the field of biotechnology for human health are taken forward to the market, thereby contributing to generating jobs and business opportunities.
The project will carry out:
- A joint lab with ‘spaces’ in Malta and Sicily where researchers and experts in blue biotechnology, business experts and experts from the fishing and waste industries come together with SMEs operating throughout the fisheries sector and organic waste sector for the exploration of new opportunities tailor-made for the economies of the two islands.
- The extraction of bioactive molecules (BAMs), including collagen, from fish waste sourced from the fishing industry or food services sector, and eco-innovation fish food from the remaining fish waste.
- The definition of biotechnology procedures for the production and commercial exploitation of a range of innovative, stakeholder-driven products for human health sourced from fish waste.
Ligand Affinity: Multivalency counterbalances PEGylation

In the drug delivery area, PEGylation has been used mainly to minimize protein adsorption to nanoparticle surfaces to extend plasma circulation half-lives. It has been understood that PEGylation reduces the drug bioefficacy, but the longer blood circulation resultsin anoverall increase in the drug activity. Receptor ligands are frequently conjugated to the distal ends of PEG chains for targeting cell recognition and for controlling the particle fate such as receptor-mediated cell uptake [1]. Although this strategy is frequently used in the field of nanomedicine [2], it is often overlooked that the attachment of a ligand to a polymer strand can severely affect its affinity to the receptor’s binding pocket. This phenomenon, which is widely known from many macromolecular drugs [3], has often been neglected for ligands that are attached to PEGylated nanoparticles. In this issue, Professor Goepferich and his team investigated the extent to which PEGylation altered a ligand’ sa ffinity and to what degree the multivalency of nanoparticles compensated for the affinity loss [4]. A small non-peptide antagonist for the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1), a receptor recently investigated for targeted drug delivery [5], was conjugated to a linear PEG molecule or PEGylated nanoparticles. PEGylation of the ligand led to a 600-fold affinity decrease. Conversely, whentheligandwasboundto thesurface of PEGylatednanoparticlesits high nanomolar affinity was regained. Because ligands grafted on nanoparticles can undergo multiple binding to several cell surface receptors simultaneously, the nanoparticle counterbalanced the affinity loss caused by PEGylation. Because of nanoparticle’s multivalency, a very large amount of free ligand was needed to displace the nanoparticles from the cell surface. The findingsbytheGoepferichteamhavetwomajorimplicationsfor active nanoparticle targeting: First, targeting ligands should be selected from a library of PEGylated ligands, and the selected ligand should have the lowest affinity loss upon PEGylation. This way, the affinity loss that results from the attachmentto thenanoparticle PEG coronacan be minimized. Second, if a ligand suffers from loss of affinity due to the attachment to the PEG strand, high nanoparticle avidity is absolutely necessary to establish strong interactions to the target cell. In the study by the Goepferich team, the surface grafting of PEGylated ligands were able to regain the high affinity, but this may not happen for other systems. In fact, different ligands at different surface density, and different PEG length may have different outcomes. Overall, a more in-depth characterization of nanomaterials seems mandatory to understand the intricate molecular interactions at the nano-bio interface. The effect of PEGylation has never been straightforward, and further advances in the PEGylation technology can be made only through better understanding of the impacts of PEGylation in each case.
Engineering of new-generation protein secretion systems

The market for recombinant proteins, including biopharmaceuticals, industrial enzymes and membrane proteins, is estimated to be about 78 billion Euro and rising. A high proportion of the target proteins are produced in bacteria, where secretion out of the cytoplasm is a favoured strategy. However, current production platforms have severe limitations and cannot handle many secreted enzymes and membrane proteins. There is an overwhelming need for new production systems that can deliver these products in greater yields, with higher quality and at lower costs. The 'ProteinFactory' ETN will meet these challenges through the provision of a suite of super-secreting strains with unique capabilities. These strains will be engineered to bypass major production bottlenecks such as secretion stress, and will be capable of secreting an unprecedented range of target molecules. Equally important will be the training of a new generation of researchers, versed in Systems and Synthetic Biology approaches. The ProteinFactory project will involve extensive collaboration between 6 academic Institutes, who provide world-leading expertise in synthetic biology and protein secretion, and 5 non-academic partners who include some of the world's premier biotechnology companies. Training will be inter-sectoral from the outset, with every ESR undertaking extensive secondments within the non-academic partners in order to encourage an entrepreneurial mind-set. The project is furthermore explicitly multi-disciplinary in scope, with two of the five research work packages dominated by theoretical approaches. Based on a responsible innovation approach and with a clear focus on inter-sectoral collaboration, ProteinFactory will deliver a cohort of superbly-trained scientists, put the industrial and SME partners at the forefront of global competition and reinforce European innovation potentials with growth and job creation.
Genetic Association Study of Treatment Response With Olanzapine/Fluoxetine Combination or Lamotrigine in Bipolar I Depression

To evaluate common genetic variations for association with symptomatic improvement in bipolar I depression following treatment with olanzapine/fluoxetine combination (OFC) or lamotrigine.Symptom improvement was assessed in 88 OFC-treated and 85 lamotrigine-treated white patients with bipolar I depression in the 7-week acute period of a randomized, double-blind study comparing OFC (6/25, 6/50, 12/25, or 12/50 mg/d [olanzapine/fluoxetine]) with lamotrigine (titrated to 200 mg/d). The original study was conducted from November 2003 to August 2004. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in a set of 19 candidate genes corresponding to known sites of activity for olanzapine and fluoxetine or previously associated with antidepressant or antipsychotic response. Primary outcome was the reduction in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score as assessed by the difference by genotype from baseline to week 7 from a mixed-effects repeated measures analysis with terms for visit, genotype, genotype-by-visit interaction, and baseline MADRS score as a covariate.SNPs within the dopamine D(3) receptor and histamine H(1) receptor (HRH1) genes were significantly associated with response to OFC. SNPs within the dopamine D(2) receptor, HRH1, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, glucocorticoid receptor, and melanocortin 2 receptor genes were significantly associated with response to lamotrigine.SNPs in specific candidate genes were associated with symptomatic improvement in a treatment-specific fashion. These results suggest the importance of dopaminergic effects in the treatment of patients with bipolar I depression and the potential utility of genotyping in selection of pharmacologic treatments for bipolar depression.
Investigation of the Hydrodynamic Structure of Throttled Fluid Flow

The objectives of this work are to investigate stream flow in smooth and intensified flow sections and to determine the numerical values of the flow characteristics. The hydrodynamic structure of throttled flow, observed stream flows, vortex and stagnant zones, which depend on the geometric shapes of the flow sections, are presented and described. The numerical values of some flow parameters and optimal geometric dimensions of the throttle channels with different methods of flow throttling are determined. The data obtained will make it possible to develop flow regulators for NPP for high coolant parameters, which ensure stable and reliable operation in startup, normal and emergency regimes of a nuclear reactor.
STEER-BY-WIRE STEERING SYSTEM HAVING AN OFF-AXIS STEERING SYSTEM SUPPORT COLUMN PROVIDED WITH A STEERING WHEEL ROTATION LIMITING DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a steering system (10) comprising a rotatable steering wheel hub (14); a torque feedback device (44) including an electric machine having a rotor (46) and a stator (48), the rotor (46) being attached to the steering wheel hub (14), and the stator (48) being fixed to a non-rotatable component (48) of the steering system (10); a steering system support column (24) including an off-axis section (28) having a first longitudinal axis (L1) that is offset to an axis of rotation (A) and including an aligned section (26) having a second longitudinal axis (L2) that corresponds to the axis of rotation (A). The steering wheel hub (14) is rotatably mounted on the aligned section (26) and axially spaced from the off-axis section (28). A steering wheel rotation limiting device (52) is attached to the off-axis section (28) and engaging the steering wheel hub (14).
Preserved Stratigraphic Architecture and Evolution of A Net-Transgressive Mixed Wave- and Tide-Influenced Coastal System: The Cliff House Sandstone, Northwestern New Mexico, U.S.A.

Abstract:  The Cretaceous Cliff House Sandstone comprises a thick (400 m) net-transgressive succession representing a mixed wave- and tide-influenced shallow-marine system that migrated episodically landwards. This study examines the youngest part (middle Campanian) of the Cliff House Sandstone, exposed in Chaco Cultural Natural Historical Park, northwest New Mexico, U.S.A. Detailed mapping of facies architecture between a three-dimensional network of measured sections has allowed the character, geometry, and distribution of key stratigraphic surfaces and stratal units to be reconstructed. Upward-shallowing facies successions (parasequences) are separated by laterally extensive transgressive erosion (ravinement) surfaces cut by both wave and tide processes. Preservation of facies tracts in each parasequence is controlled by the depth of erosion and migration trajectory of the overlying ravinement surfaces. In most parasequences, there is no preservation of the proximal wave-dominated facies tracts (foreshore, upper-shoreface), resulting in thin (4–7 m) top-truncated packages. Four distinct shallow marine tongues (parasequence sets) have been identified, consisting of ten parasequences with a total stratigraphic thickness of ∼ 100 m. Each tongue records an episode of complex shoreline migration history (multiple regressive–transgressive phases) in an overall net-transgressive system. The ravinement surfaces provide a stratigraphic framework in which to understand partitioning of tide- and wave-dominated deposits in a net-transgressive system, and a model is presented to account for the sediment distribution and stratigraphic architecture observed in each parasequence. Despite a complex internal architecture, parasequences exhibit a predictable pattern which can be related to the regressive and transgressive phases of deposition. Preservation of wave-dominated facies tracts is associated with shoreline regression, while tide-dominated facies tracts are interpreted to record sediment accumulation during shoreline transgression that also resulted in significant erosion of the underlying regressive deposits. The interplay between erosion, sediment bypass, and deposition during regression and transgression is shown to ultimately control the preservation and stratigraphic architecture of the larger-scale net-transgressive coastal system. While the Cliff House Sandstone exhibits a facies composition and quantitative stacking patterns (shoreline trajectory) similar to other studied examples, differences in the dip-extent of the wave-dominated sandstone tongue has resulted in a more disconnected architecture between the high-frequency cycles. Understanding the variety of stratal geometries that ravinement surfaces can generate is therefore crucial to predicting the spatial distribution and facies architecture in transgressive systems.