SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
The impact of Hurricane Katrina on urban growth in Louisiana: an analysis using data mining and simulation approaches

Understanding human dynamics after a major disaster is important to the region’s sustainable development. This study utilized land cover data to examine how Hurricane Katrina has affected the urban growth pattern in the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana. The study analyzed land cover changes from non-urban to urban in three metropolitan areas, Baton Rouge, New Orleans-Metairie, and Hammond, for two time periods, pre-Katrina 2001–2006 and post-Katrina 2006–2010. The study first applied a focal filter to extract continuous urban areas from the scattered urban pixels in the original remote sensing images. Statistical analyses were applied to develop initial functions between urban growth probability and several driving factors. A genetic algorithm was then used to calibrate the transition function, and cellular automata simulation based on the transition function was conducted to evaluate future urban growth patterns with and without the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The results show that elevation has become a much more important factor after Hurricane Katrina, and urban growth has shifted to higher elevation regions. The elevation most probable for new urban growth increased from 10.84 to 11.90 meters. Moreover, simulated future urban growth in this region indicates a decentralized trend, with more growth occurring in more distant regions with higher elevation. In the New Orleans metropolitan area, urban growth will continue to spill across Lake Pontchartrain to the satellite towns that are more than 50 minutes away by driving from the city center.
Method and apparatus for continuous composite three-dimensional printing

A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.
Catalysis with chalcogen bonds: toward artificial enzymes

Major advances in science and technology are arising from the discovery and exploitation of new non-covalent interactions between molecules and the development of novel supramolecular functional systems. However, a limited number of supramolecular interactions is available up to date. Therefore, the discovery of conceptually innovative, non-conventional approaches to create function should result in a breakthrough in current science.  One of the most relevant functions that can be implemented in molecular and supramolecular systems is the ability to catalyse chemical processes.  Thus, the goal of this proposal is the integration of unorthodox non-covalent interactions, up to date mainly studied as a concept, into practical applications in the field of catalysis. 

In this regard, catalysis operating with intermolecular chalcogen bonds, originated from σ-holes on electron-deficient Group VI atoms, is completely unexplored. However, this unorthodox counterpart of hydrogen bonds, with similar strength, superior directionality and ability to play in hydrophobic environments, could rapidly change a field to a quite remarkable extent. Furthermore, integration of these systems in artificial enzymes and multienzymatic processes in which catalytic steps influence each other through multiple feedback loops would open the door to asymmetric catalysis and metabolic engineering with a completely novel interaction at work.
Numerical optimal transport for imaging

Optimal Transport (OT) theory provides a powerful framework to manipulate probability distributions using simple and intuitive geometric principles. OT distances compare favorably to all other alternatives, notably Euclidean metrics or information divergences, whose outputs are particularly sensitive to changes in quantization and are not suitable to compare point clouds. Because of these and many more favorable properties, OT should be a standard tool in imaging sciences where probability distributions are routinely used. However, at this time, OT is but a confidential tool restricted to niche applications. OT is barely used because it is complex mathematically, which hinders its dissemination in more applied fields, and because it consumes substantial computational resources when used naively. NORIA will address these two bottlenecks and develop the next generation of theoretical, numerical and algorithmic advances to enable large-scale optimal transport computations in imag- ing sciences. The algorithms developed by NORIA will rely on several mathematical breakthroughs: highly parallelizable entropic regularization schemes, Bregman stochastic optimization and gradient flows for metric spaces. They will be implemented using fast optimization codes that will be interfaced through a high-level, easy to use, scripting language. These algorithms will have far reaching applications in imaging sciences and data science in a broad sense. In particular, they will be used in three flagship applications: color and material processing in computer graphics, texture analysis and synthesis in computer vision, and exploration of the visual cortex in neuroimaging. NORIA’s members are key players in the European mathematical school of optimal transport, which is very strong. NORIA is the unique opportunity to give a computational and practical embodiment to this wealth of theoretical knowledge.
A critical review on structure-soil-structure interaction

The purpose of this paper is to review computational methods in structure-soil-structure interaction. As a result of globalization, buildings are located close to each other. This issue happens especially in big cities, making the study of structure-soil-structure interaction as an essential part of structural design process. The effect of soil medium, on which the building structure stands, especially on seismic behavior of building is well known. The effects of structures standing in a close distant to each other is the main issue in structure-soil-structure interactions. In this paper, analytical models of soil are reviewed. After a review on different analytical models of soil, the concepts and the computational efforts in the field of interaction between soil and adjacent buildings are discussed in order to provide the reader with the benefits and weaknesses of each concept. Different computer programs which suit structure-soil-structure interaction analysis and their main abilities are briefly reviewed as well.
Coordination of international research cooperation on soil carbon sequestration in agriculture

Targeting ambitious changes in agricultural practices that would preserve restore and enhance soil carbon and soil health requires an increased coordination of international research cooperation. The specific challenge lies in the identification, implementation and verification of agricultural soil management practices  which create a positive soil/ecosystem carbon budget at the farm and landscape levels, sequester carbon, improve soil structure and soil quality and provide climate change adaptation while contributing to sustainable development. In this context, the CSA CIRCASA has an overarching goal to develop synergies on research in this field at European Union and global level, targeting four realistic and highly complementary objectives:
O1. Strengthen the international research community on agricultural soil carbon sequestration;
O2. Provide an improved understanding of agricultural soil carbon sequestration and its potential for climate change mitigation and adaptation and for demands of increased food production;
O3. Synthesizing stakeholder’s views and knowledge needs on agricultural soil carbon sequestration and climate change
O4. Favor a more structured approach, by preparing an International Research Consortium (IRC)
These four objectives will produce measurable outputs during the time frame of the project and create significant outcomes for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and of the Paris agreement (COP21, 4 per 1000 voluntary initiative) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). CIRCASA will benefit from the participation of three major initiatives: the Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases (GRA), the Joint Programming Initiative on Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE JPI) and the 4 per 1000 - Soils for Food Security and Climate  - initiative, and from the contribution of the CCCAFS and the WLE programs of the CGIAR.
IOnian aNd Adriatic cities and portS joint cooperation 

In the implementation of the INTERREG programme the need for a better coordination has emerged together with new needs due to the new borders of the EU.
The general objectives of the project IONAS will be to improve the INTERREG Community performance and to promote the involvement of new actors in the INTERREG Programme.

These overall objectives will be reached through the following specific objectives:

1: Better transport and logistics services in ports
2: Environment impact of ports activities and sustainable development
3: Joint cooperation between ports and cities
4: Raising knowledge on the New Cohesion Policy 2007 - 2013
TOOL CONTAINER WITH MAGNETIC RETENTION ASSEMBLY FOR LID

A tool container may include a container portion that includes a front wall, sidewalls, and a rear wall. The tool container may further include a lid hingedly attached to the rear wall, a mobility assembly including wheels and a handle assembly, and a magnetic retention assembly configured to hold the lid proximate to the handle assembly to retain the lid in an opened position.
Improvements in or relating to non-linear resistors

659,915. Lightning arresters. SOC. LE CARBONE-LORRAINE, and TESZNER S. March 11, 1949, No. 6701. Convention date, March 18, 1948. Drawings to Specification. [Class 38 (iv)] [Also in Group XXXVI] A resistor sensitive to voltage according to the equation R=A/V<SP>k</SP> especially suitable for use in lightning arresters, voltage surge limiters, and spark gaps, comprises an intimate coherent mixture of granules of a semi-conducting substance with an insulating binder in which are distributed granules of at least one other substance, having a secondary electron-emissive power higher than 2 and forming centres of secondary electron emission excited by primary electrons which are emitted by the semiconducting granules under the effect of an applied voltage. In the examples of manufacture fully described in the Specification silicon carbide granules form the semi-conducting constituent and beryllium oxide or copper or nickel and beryllium alloy particles form the secondary electron emission centres in a disc or rod-shaped ceramic body whose opposite faces are metallized to form electrodes. The theory of operation is discussed at considerable length with the aid of volt-ampere curves, Figs. 1 and 2 (not shown), and exaggerated representation, Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown), of the constitution of the resistor and the behaviour of the primary and secondary electrons under surge conditions. The invention is directed towards increase of the exponent k in the expression above with or without transitory hysteresis effects. As described a resistor which employs beryllium oxide crystals as the secondary electron emitters does not give a hysteresis effect, i.e. the primary and secondary electrons disappear simultaneously. Conversely a resistor which employs activated copper or nickel and beryllium alloy particles as the secondary electron emitters does give a hysteresis effect, i.e. the duration of the secondary electron emission is greater than that of the primary electron emission. It is stated that the semi-conductive granules may be sulphides, carbides, silicides, phosphides or arsenides with secondary electron emitters selected from oxides of alkaline earth or rare metals, e.g. (in addition to Be) Ba, Sr, Mg, La, Ce and Pr.
Error performance analysis in K-tier uplink cellular networks using a stochastic geometric approach

In this work, we develop an analytical paradigm to analyze the average symbol error probability (ASEP) performance of uplink traffic in a multi-tier cellular network. The analysis is based on the recently developed Equivalent-in-Distribution approach that utilizes stochastic geometric tools to account for the network geometry in the performance characterization. Different from the other stochastic geometry models adopted in the literature, the developed analysis accounts for important communication system parameters and goes beyond signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio characterization. That is, the presented model accounts for the modulation scheme, constellation type, and signal recovery techniques to model the ASEP. To this end, we derive single integral expressions for the ASEP for different modulation schemes due to aggregate network interference. Finally, all theoretical findings of the paper are verified via Monte Carlo simulations.
Does short-term fasting promote changes in state body image?

Fasting, or going a significant amount of time without food, is a predictor of eating pathology in at-risk samples. The current study examined whether acute changes in body image occur after an episode of fasting in college students. Furthermore, it evaluated whether individual difference variables might inform the relationship between fasting and shifts in body image. Participants (N=186) included male (44.7%) and female college students who completed the Body Image States Scale (BISS) and other eating-related measures before a 24-h fast. Participants completed the BISS again after fasting. While no overall changes in BISS scores emerged during the study, some individuals evidenced body image improvement. Baseline levels of disinhibition and self-reported fasting at least once per week uniquely predicted improvement in body image. Individual difference variables may play a role in how fasting could be reinforced by shifts in body image.
Active suspensions with controlled interaction rules

Self-propelling, i.e., active colloidal particles constitute a novel class of non-equilibrium systems which exhibit structural and dynamical features similar to those in assemblies of bacteria or other motile organisms. Due to their reduced complexity, they provide an intriguing chance to understand the formation of dynamical structures in non-equilibrium systems in unprecedented detail. A central question in this rapidly growing field is, how interaction-rules determine the creation of e.g. swarms or complex networks. In addition to ordinary inter particle and hydrodynamic forces, interaction-rules can be much more complex. For example, they can regulate the particle motility depending on their relative orientation, their local density or otherwise distinct particle configurations.
Here, we propose an experimental approach which aims towards controlling the amplitude and direction of the particle’s motility in dense active suspensions on a single particle level. Particle-propulsion is achieved by a light-activated diffusiophoretic mechanism, where the particle motility is controlled by an incident light field. By means of an acoustic-optical modulator and a feed-back loop, we create dynamical and spatially-resolved light fields which depend on the current configuration of active particles and user-defined interaction rules. Because these rules are imposed externally and not by internal forces, this permits the experimental realization of a wide range of rules (linear, non-linear, and even non-reciprocal) in dense, two-dimensional active systems. We expect, that the experimental realization of user-defined interaction-rules largely extends our understanding how active matter can organize in dynamical structures. In addition, the perspective of enhanced control of active particles, as suggested within this proposal, will be of considerable importance for their use as autonomous micro robots which will deliver payloads in liquid environments.
Precise 3D Measurements for Tracked Objects from Synchronized Stereo-Video Sequences

This paper presents a system suitable to perform precise and fast 3D measurements from synchronized stereo-video sequences and provide target’s georeference in a known reference system. To this direction we combine a robust tracker with photogrammetric techniques into a fast and reliable system. For tracking objects and people, we adopt and modify a stable human tracker able to cope efficiently with the trade-off between model stability and adaptability. For achieving accurate and precise 3D measurements, camera calibration was implemented in order to recover the intrinsic parameters of the cameras of the configuration. Finally, for precise and reliable calculation of the 3D trajectory of the moving person, we apply bundle adjustment for all frames. Bundle adjustment is a very accurate algorithm and has the advantages of being tolerant of missing data while providing a true Maximum Likelihood estimate. The results have been tested and evaluated in real life conditions for proving the robustness and the accuracy of the system.
Self-Disclosure in Friendships as the Moderator of the Association Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Overweight Adolescents

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of self-disclosure in best friendships on the pathway from peer victimization to depressive symptoms as mediated by self-esteem for physical appearance (SEPA) in overweight adolescents. Utilizing data from 610 French-speaking Canadian adolescents in Grades 7 and 8, the current study examined self-reports of peer victimization, SEPA, self-disclosure in their best friendship, and depressive symptoms and researcher measured height and weight during two time periods over 1 year in overweight adolescents ( n = 137). Self-disclosure in friendships buffered the link between peer victimization and depressive symptoms in overweight adolescents. In addition, the protective effect of self-disclosure for the overweight adolescents was through the indirect pathway through SEPA.
Degradation kinetics and molecular structure development of hydroxyethyl cellulose under the solid state mechanochemical treatment

The mechanochemical degradation behavior of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) during vibratory ball milling and its induced morphological and structure development of HEC were studied through intrinsic viscosity measurement and scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffractometry (WAXD) and thermal gravimetry analysis (TG). A degradation kinetic model was proposed to evaluate the effects of ball-milling time on degradation rate of HEC with different initial molecular weights. The fragmentation mechanism is proposed based on the results of FTIR and 13C NMR measurements. The experimental results indicated that the molecular weight decreased sharply with the increase of ball-milling time, charge ratio of steel ball/HEC and the rotational speed. Meanwhile, the fibriform morphology of original HEC was damaged observably and the crystallinity of HEC decreased sharply during the milling, which induced the decrease of the thermal stability.
Focus

With the increasing number of applications in which a group of organisms associated with a common environment are sequenced, there is an urgent need for a new model for representing the sequenced short reads in a way that takes the nature of these organisms into consideration. In addition to facilitating the assembly process, such new models should allow for easy extraction of other useful biological information from the short reads, including conserved regions among the input genomics, sequence motifs, and other information critical to the recognition and/or classification of the organisms. We present Focus, a new multilayer graph model for short read analysis and extraction of biologically relevant features. The proposed model can be viewed as a data-mining tool that takes advantage of the multilayer graph representation of the reads to extract useful information about the associated genomes/organisms. While not primarily an assembly tool, we assessed Focus using known assemblers with excellent results. We also applied Focus in a case study on a HIV read dataset and were able to successfully extract biologically relevant graph features.
Home integrated renovation one-stop-shop for vulnerable districts

HIROSS4all Project will develop and implement an innovative integrated home renovation service (IHRS) for private residential  buildings in two districts in the Basque Country (Spain) and subsequently replicated within the region. The project develops an  economically viable business model that brings together active citizen engagement and an innovative financial instrument, making the service suitable for vulnerable populations. The local one-stop-shop pilots will be managed and coordinated by the Basque Government. Specific objectives:
-Foster energy efficiency building upgrades, on vulnerable districts.
-Minimize logistical, financial, administrative and legal burdens caused by a complex and multi-stakeholder home renovation process
-Ensure that building retrofits consider the social dimension by incorporating security, comfort, and improved accessibility for Basque citizens to further improve the quality of life of vulnerable population. 
-Design a scalable operating model to the district offices, and ensure the replicability of the one-stop-shop service, at both the Basque Country and the EU-level. 
-Create strong and reliable public-private partnerships for the provision of the service.
- Identify and overcome regional-local collaboration barriers inherent to home renovation services.
-Increase homeowner and regional partner awareness of the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, including health, wellbeing, comfort, job creation and energy poverty alleviation. 
For achieving this issue a consortium consisting on 9 partners (GV, EVE, GNE, DEBEGESA, VVMM, FEDARENE, ZABALA, G6 and HOUSING-EU) has been assigned. It is a well-balanced group with different backgrounds and complementary expertise and skills, covering the full value chain.
ROI DES TRUFFES

«DEMANDE D’ASSOUPLISSEMENT VISÉE DANS L’AVIS PUBLIC DE PETITES SUBVENTIONS ENTITEUR EN FAVEUR DES PME SUSPENDUES OU DONT LE CHIFFRE D’AFFAIRES A FORTEMENT DIMINUÉ»
A modular CAN based data acquisition system for flight simulators

This paper describes a data acquisition and actuation system developed for flight simulator systems. The acquisition system is modular and distributed and uses a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus to interconnect the various modules with the computers where the simulation runs. Nine different modules were developed according to the needs of flight simulation systems. The requirements of these modules were defined in cooperation with EMPODEF-TI, a leading company in this area. Until now the system was successfully implemented in three training flight simulators, two for the Socata TB 30 Epsilon aircraft and one for the Schweizer E300C helicopter. The former flight simulators are being used daily by the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) in pilot training.