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2718180 | Noratest: an e-health solution for a better alzheimer's diagnosis and management | Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major medical problem and is currently an issue of global general interest as the total number of people with dementia is projected to reach ~80M in 2030 and almost duplicating this number by 2050. The lack of an efficient and affordable solution in the AD's health care sector has motivated our company Alzohis to develop NORATEST, a very unique and innovative e-Health platform producing significant improvements, in terms of speed efficiency, in the detection of neurodegenerative diseases. By means of a novel combination of biomarkers “signatures” detectable in the blood with a state-of-the-art computer algorithm NORATEST can discriminate patients suffering AD from those healthy ones, as well as detecting other neurodegenerative diseases. Our prototype, currently at TRL6, is the first reliable non-invasive molecular diagnostic method able to detect the disease in the very early stages, offering several competitive and innovative advantages such as: Cost-effective novel technology, fast, accurate, early ddiagnosis, data privacy coupled to smart analytics, user-friendly and highly scalable and adaptable platform. Our business model is a pay-per-use combined model of charging per analysis and direct online sales. The global AD market shows great opportunities for us since it was worth €2.5 B in 2016 and is set to reach €12.6 B by 2026 (CAGR of 17.5%). Worldwide we expect a market growth in both established and in developing countries, anticipating >5M annual AD's diagnoses in the two main markets leaders based in Europe (2.5-3.5M diagnoses/year) and USA (1.5-2.5M diagnoses/year) by 2024. Our company goal is to become the reference for AD's diagnosis in Europe. We estimated that in 5 years (end of Phase 2 project), we will accumulate 360K diagnosis tests sales (revenue €54M) accounting for ~2% of the EU and USA market. We expect to hire 40 new technical and sales employees and earn ~€32M profit, with a ROI of 6.5. | project/european |
US 2021/0064936 W | NOVEL INSECT INHIBITORY PROTEINS | Pesticidal proteins exhibiting inhibitory, suppressive, and toxic activity against Lepidopteran pest species are disclosed, and include, but are not limited to, TIC4064 and TIC4064 amino acid sequence variants. DNA constructs are provided which contain a recombinant nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more of the disclosed pesticidal proteins. Transgenic plants, plant cells, seed, and plant parts resistant to Lepidopteran infestation are provided which contain recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding the pesticidal proteins of the present invention. Methods for detecting the presence of the recombinant nucleic acid sequences or the proteins of the present invention in a biological sample, and methods of controlling Lepidopteran species pests using any of the TIC4064 and TIC4064 amino acid sequence variant pesticidal proteins are also provided. | patent |
W2310016901 | An orogenic wedge model for diachronous deformation, metamorphism, and exhumation in the hinterland of the northern Canadian Cordillera | Development of amphibolite-facies transposition fabrics in the northern Canadian Cordilleran hinterland occurred diachronously in the Permian–Triassic, Early Jurassic, Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, and Early to mid-Cretaceous. Rocks tectonized in the Permian–Triassic and Early Jurassic were exhumed in the Early Jurassic, while rocks immediately to the northeast (toward the foreland) were not buried and heated until the Middle Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous. Early Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous emplacement of the Yukon-Tanana terrane on the North American continental margin, together with the imbrication of parautochthonous rocks, formed a foreland-propagating orogenic wedge. Cooler rocks in front of the wedge were progressively buried and metamorphosed to amphibolite facies from the Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous as they were underthrust into a spatially and temporally transient distributed ductile shear zone near the base of the overriding wedge. Rocks previously incorporated into this zone were displaced upward and exhumed through the combined effects of renewed underplating at depth and compensating extensional and erosional denudation above to maintain a critically tapered wedge. Extensional exhumation of the metamorphic hinterland in the mid-Cretaceous marked the collapse and end of orogen-perpendicular wedge dynamics in operation since the Early Jurassic. Rocks incorporated into the midcrustal shear zone in the Middle Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous were exhumed in the mid-Cretaceous along southeast-directed (orogen-parallel) extensional faults from beneath a supracrustal “lid” tectonized in the Permian–Triassic and Early Jurassic. Like the Himalayan orogen and eastern Alps, orogen-parallel extension developed in an orthogonal plate-convergent setting, simultaneous with, and bounded by, orogen-parallel strike-slip faulting that facilitated northwestward lateral extrusion of rocks normal to the direction of convergence. | publication |
626732 | Healthycloud – health research & innovation cloud | The creation of a European Health Data Space is one of the six strategic priorities for the newly elected European Commission. The European Health Research and Innovation Cloud (HRIC) will be one of the future cornerstone pieces for this area. HealthyCloud will deliver a Strategic Agenda including a Ready-to-implement Roadmap for the HRIC ecosystem. The Strategic Agenda will incorporate the consolidated feedback of a broad range of stakeholders: the European Commission, the Member States and regional, national, European and international relevant initiatives. These agents will be invited to be part of the HealthyCloud’s Stakeholders’ Forum, designed to facilitate the dialogue among them and the Consortium, and to act as an umbrella to bring together similar efforts in specific domains.
HealthyCloud has been organized around four fundamental objectives that cover 1) interactions with stakeholders to ensure their voices are included as part of the Strategic Agenda; 2) the inclusion of Ethical, Legal and Societal aspects in the design of the future HRIC ecosystem; 3) the sustainable access, use and re-use of health-related data considering a progressive adoption of the FAIR principles; and 4) the technological solutions in terms of computational facilities and mechanisms to enable distributed health data analysis across Europe. The project is driven by two real-world use-cases (Cancer and Atrial Fibrillation) to ensure that propositions by domain-specific and technological experts are technically and ethically sound and legally compliant. The ultimate goal is to propose an ecosystem that builds and reinforces the trust of patients and citizens in the use of their health data for research.
HealthyCloud is a 30-month project that brings together 21 organizations with broad and yet complementary expertise, including 5 Research Infrastructures (ELIXIR, ECRIN, EATRIS, BBMRI and Euro-BioImaging) and 3 Joint Actions (InfAct, iPAAC and eHAction) related to health research. | project/european |
W2093801492 | Study on Enhancement of Convective Heat Transfer in Nanofluids | Nanofluids are a new class of heat transfer fluids and offer an important advantage on conventional heat transfer fluids. The nanometer-sized metallic and non-metallic solid particles or tubes are dispersed in base heat transfer fluids such as water, engineering oil and emulsion. It is a interdisciplinary field between nanoscience, nanotechnology, and thermal engineering. The nanofluids study work attracts a lot of interest from the worldwide researchers because of their fascinating thermal characteristics and potential applications in microelectronics, transportation and biomedical fields. Many important theoretical and experimental study works on convective heat transfer appeared in literature. The purpose of this article is to study theoretical and experimental findings on the enhancement of the convection heat transfer with nanofluids and analyze the key factors of thermal conductivity and convective heat transfer enhancement with nanofluids. | publication |
interreg_2712 | Polyphonic song: A channel to networking and distinction of common cultural characteristics in the areas of Pogoni and Grecia Salentina | The project aims to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of polyphonic music and local folk dances. The project expected outputs include: • Cross border info centers promoting polyphonic song and dances • A portal with an on line museum, electronic library and e- learning • Workshops to facilitate exchange of know how among musicians , historians etc. on polyphonic song and dances • An action plan on the operation and expansion of a network of collaborating stakeholders • A study on polyphonic song and dances • A marketing plan for the development of alternative tourism • Cultural festivals • Info days and conferences • CD ROM and leaflets, press releases, info booklet. | project/regional |
W2997294183 | Design and Implementation of SDN-Based Secure Architecture for IoT-Lab | There are various IoT devices with many different hardware environments and an ecosystem that will enable these various devices to work together is not yet existent. As IoT networks are becoming more widespread, the number of connections that has to be handled is increasing in a high rate. There is a need for a smarter network management which can handle these connections and security considerations. In this paper, we propose a secure network architecture leveraging SDN for an IoT-based laboratory. Thanks to the IoT-devices, the proposed work enables to automate the basic tasks in a public laboratory while at the same time SDN-based network architecture ensures the security requirements of the IoT network. | publication |
US 2009/0069965 W | CERAMIC ARTICLE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING THE SAME | Disclosed is a process for producing ceramic particles, such as proppants, that have at least 10 percent total porosity. The process includes forming a particle precursor that includes 5 percent to 30 percent of a first ceramic material and at least 40 percent of a second ceramic material. The sintering temperature of the first ceramic material may be lower than the sintering temperature of a second ceramic material. Heating the precursor to a maximum temperature above the sintering temperature of the first material and below the sintering temperature of the second material. Also disclosed is a ceramic article that has a particular combination of chemistry and alumina crystalline phase. | patent |
217937 | Siliconlaser | Our research aims to revolutionize the electronics industry by adding intra-chip and chip-to-chip communication at the speed of light, offering a significantly reduced energy consumption. Cubic crystal phase SiGe is known to be great for electronics. We propose to develop hexagonal crystal phase SiGe (Hex-SiGe) which features a direct bandgap and will add photonic capabilities to electronics. Direct bandgap silicon has been the holy grail of the semiconductor industry for many years, since it would allow integrating both electronic and optical functionalities on a silicon platform. Recent theoretical calculations predict that hexagonal crystal phase SixGe1-x features a tunable direct bandgap from 1380-1800 nm, exactly coinciding with the low loss window for optical fibre communications. We have recently developed a generic approach to grow defect-free hexagonal SixGe1-x with tunable composition. We propose to demonstrate efficient light emission from direct bandgap SiGe, followed by the development of a SiGe nanolaser. Work towards CMOS integration is included. The demonstration of a Hex-SiGe nanolaser will serve as a game-changer for transforming the electronics industry. | project/european |
GB 4724274 A | STERILISING COMPOSITIONS AND THEIR USE | 1531722 Sterilizing compositions RENTOKIL Ltd 31 Oct 1975 [31 Oct 1974] 47242/74 Heading A5E [Also in Division C1] A sterilizing composition capable of giving extended release of sulphur dioxide in the presence of moisture comprises a sulphurdioxide-liberating compound, preferably a metabisulphite or a dithionite and a rate moderator, comprising a thiosulphate and optionally a buffer, such as KH 2 PO 4 , a borate or an amine. | patent |
W2091251188 | Charge-induced local dewetting on polymer electrets studied by atomic force microscopy | Polymer electrets are one of the most important series of electrets, which are widely used both in academic research and industrial applications. The effect of trapped charges on dielectric properties of the polymer electret is critical for more intelligent utilization of these materials. Herein we report the charge-induced polymer relaxation reflected by the local dewetting of the polymer electrets with charge patterns. Because the difference in charge-induced relaxation results in selective dewetting of thin polymer films, polymers in the charged areas are preferentially dewetted from the substrate compared with the neutral areas under heating or solvent annealing, leading to the appearance of hole arrays. Therefore, the effect of trapped charges on relaxation was also studied via monitoring the relaxation behaviours of homo-polymer and block copolymer films as well as measuring the mechanical properties of homo-polymers with charge patterns. These results demonstrate that the charge trapped in polymer electrets could accelerate relaxation and drive the dewetting process of thin polymer films. | publication |
174707 | Photo induced collective properties of hybrid halide perovskites | The recent discovery of the organo-inorganic perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 as very efficient material in photoelectric conversion is multifaceted: it turns out that this compound is promising not only in photovoltaics, but it is lasing, it gives bright light emitting diodes, promising in water splitting and we are persuaded that it can play an important role in basic sciences, as well.
We have recently realized that under white light illumination the photoelectrons, due to their very long recombination time, stay in the conduction band and the resistivity of a single crystal shows a metallic behavior. If the lifetime is sufficiently long and the density of these excited carrier is high enough they could condense into a Fermi sea. The project’s goal is to realize this highly unusual state and to document its properties by magneto-transport and spectroscopic techniques. We will check in our model compound the long-sought superconductivity of photo-excited carriers, extensively searched for in cuprates, if we could stabilize it by fine tuning the interactions by hydrostatic pressure under constant illumination.
The availability of high quality samples is primordial for this program. It turns out that CH3NH3PbI3 is ideal compound, it seems to be almost free of charged defects (its room temperature resistance is 5 orders of magnitude higher than that of Phosphorus doped Silicon at 1013 cm-3 doping concentration) and we can grow excellent single crystals of it. Furthermore, it has a flexibility in material design: one can vary all the constituents, and even the dimensionality by making layered materials with the main chemical motifs. A special effort will be devoted to tune the spin-orbit coupling by different elements, since this could be at the origin of the long recombination time of the photo-electrons.
We suspect that the highly tunable, clean and disorder-free doping obtained by shining light on these ionic crystals opens a new era in material discovery. | project/european |
W1973121383 | Resonant-Type Smooth Impact Drive Mechanism Actuator with Two Langevin Transducers | A smooth impact drive mechanism (SIDM) is a unique piezoelectric actuator that is widely used as a camera focusing mechanism, cell phone lens movement mechanism, etc. This principle enables a compact driving mechanism; however, it cannot generate high-speed movement because a soft-type multilayered piezoelectric transducer (PZT) is utilized at off-resonant movement. This paper proposes a resonant-type SIDM actuator driven with hard-type PZTs to realize high-speed and powerful operation. The fundamental principle is also based on the conventional SIDM; therefore, a saw-shaped movement is required. To generate a high-power ultrasonic output, two Langevin transducers are adopted instead of a soft-type multilayered PZT. One Langevin transducer was a stator and the other was slider whose tip was adhered to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) rod. The CFRP rod was connected to the stator transducer with the frictional force. To obtain quasi-saw-shaped vibration, the longitudinal vibration for each Langevin... | publication |
W4226219207 | Evaluation of Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 after Two-Doses of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine (Astrazeneca) in a Cohort from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Introduction:The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been challenging the public health system worldwide.Besides this, vaccination is presenting itself as the most effective alternative against the virus nowadays.In this regard, it is critical to identify and quantify neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in order to understand their specific role during the immune response in naïve or infected individuals pre-and post-vaccination.Objective: To assess the level of neutralizing/total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in samples obtained from vaccinated participants through PRNT and ELISA methods.Methodology: Between January and September 2021, blood samples were taken from participants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Serum samples were incubated with viral suspension (v/v), transferred to plates with cell monolayer and incubated for 3 days.ELISA was procedure as described by the manufacturer, Promega®.Statistical analyses were performed using R Software. Results:The PRNT results were comparable to those obtained with an ELISA kit in general with a good correlation (R=0.88).Participants that reported prior SARS-CoV-2 infection showed high levels of both total IgG and NAbs when compared to naïve-vaccinated donors.Previous infection leads to a 6 and 11-fold increase in total IgG titers and in NAbs, at 7 days post-vaccination, respectively.In addition, antibody levels increased over time, until reaching the highest level 30 days after the second immunized dose in all vaccinated but showed NAbs titers 6-fold higher in individuals with previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 than naïve vaccinated donors. Conclusion:Our findings, with a Brazilian cohort, support the WHO recommendation to vaccinate the population with two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine to trigger an increase in both overall humoral response and the specific response of neutralizing antibodies.Besides this, our data suggest that prior natural infection provided a booster of humoral response.Certainly, the length of this humoral response and the correlate-of-protection are still need further explored. | publication |
983922 | Renewable integration and sustainability in energy communities | Leading smart grid solution providers and research groups join forces to integrate a range of consumer-focused innovations into existing service platforms. The project will support Industry leaders ABB (analytical and design tools) and ATOS (energy management platform) deliver services with clear market focus, that are widely replicable across Europe. The suite of tools will be demonstrated in real-life pilots in Belgium, Greece, France and the Netherlands. RENAISSANCE aims to demonstrate highly replicable design and management approaches for integrated local energy systems, that achieve high participation of local consumers (15-20%), exceed at local level EU targets for renewable energy sources (37-80%) while decreasing the energy price for community members (5-10% below current market prices). The methodology and each of the pilots will cover key energy vectors (electricity, heat, transport), involve different actors (households, SMEs, institutions), and valorises flexibility services within and between communities, and with DSOs. In total, over 1.000 households and 50 companies will be connected in a system that totals 30752MW capacity. Main innovations include; multi-actor multi-criteria of technical design, geo-locations , interoperable management platform. To demonstrate replicability and open the role to market, the approach will be applied to 10 more locations across the globe - including in India, the US, the UK and Poland. | project/european |
W2088292824 | Dewatering of microalgal cultures: A major bottleneck to algae-based fuels | Microalgae dewatering is a major obstruction to industrial-scale processing of microalgae for biofuel production. The dilute nature of harvested microalgal cultures creates a huge operational cost during dewatering, thereby, rendering algae-based fuels less economically attractive. Currently there is no superior method of dewatering microalgae. A technique that may result in a greater algal biomass may have drawbacks such as a high capital cost or high energy consumption. The choice of which harvesting technique to apply will depend on the species of microalgae and the final product desired. Algal properties such as a large cell size and the capability of the microalgae to autoflocculate can simplify the dewatering process. This article reviews and addresses the various technologies currently used for dewatering microalgal cultures along with a comparative study of the performances of the different technologies. | publication |
W1536566814 | Bridging the Healthcare Access Divide: A Strategic Planning Model for Rural Telemedicine Network | Balancing access to healthcare and sustaining operational efficiency is a major issue in strategic planning of rural healthcare delivery systems. In this regard, telemedicine is being adopted as a versatile and low cost mechanism for delivering rural healthcare. This article presents a strategic planning model that incorporates different operational and service elements of the rural telemedicine healthcare network. Real-world data from the rural Black-belt region in the United States are used in a case study. A novel statistical approach based on decision trees and logistic regression is used to estimate demand of healthcare at the county level. Key issues such as the location of telemedicine health centers, coverage of health services, configuration of medical equipment, and patient travel policies are explored in light of patient demographics, scale of health coverage, and disease prevalence patterns. Results indicate that telemedicine networks can effectively improve healthcare services in rural areas with requisite operational efficiency | publication |
896955 | High throughput laser structuring with multiscale periodic feature sizes for advanced surface functionalities | Current industrial markets demand highly value added products offering new features at a low-cost. Bio-inspired surface structures, containing features in the nanometer/micrometer scales, offer significant commercial potential for the creation of functionalized surfaces. In this aim technologies to modify surfaces instead of creating composites or spreading coatings on surfaces can offer new industrial opportunities. In particular, laser surface texturing, has shown to be capable to obtain advanced functionalities, especially when sources operating at pulse durations of nanosecond (short) and picosecond and femtosecond (ultra short) are used. LAMPAS will significantly increase the potential of laser structuring for the design of newly functionalized surfaces by enhancing the efficiency, flexibility and productivity (over 1 m²/min) of the process based on the development of a high power ultra-short laser system as well as strategies and concepts for beam delivery. This will be performed by combining the outstanding characteristics of two laser technologies, being Direct Laser Interference Patterning and Polygon Scanner processing. The expected results to be obtained in this project will provide the European industry with a cost effective and robust technology, capable of producing a broad range of functional surfaces on large areas at outstanding throughputs, bringing Europe a chance to lead in this key area of surface treatment. LAMPAS consortium covers the full value chain for laser surface texturing and has access to demanding markets. In addition, an in-line surface characterisation to enable rapid feedback about the target topography as well as to control surface temperature during the laser process will be included. | project/european |
W1999766697 | Assessment of environmental hazards in the north western coast -Egypt using RS and GIS | Soil erosion, salinity and sodicity hazards are serious problems in the northern west coast of Egypt and lead to reducing the soil quality and increasing the degradation of soil resources. Sidi Barrani and Al-Sallum regions are selected as study areas which are located from a longitude of 25°10′00″ to 26°55′00″East and from a latitude of 31°00′0″ to 31°37′30″ North. Erosion hazard was estimated using the ‘Universal Soil Loss Equation’ (USLE), which is a simple empirical model that is widely used for assessing long-term annual soil loss .The salinity and sodicity hazards were estimated based on FAO method as standard reference. The resultant map of annual soil erosion shows a maximum soil loss of 60 t h −1 y −1 with a close relation to foot slopes and wide units on the steep side-slopes (with high LS value) and the erodibility value reached to 0.1 t h −1 y −1 . Meanwhile sand beaches and sabkha units are characterized by high environmental hazards of both water erosion, salinity and sodicity, while in the overflow basin units are identified as low environmental hazards. The spatial environmental hazards assessment is conducted by using integrated GIS and RS which can serve as effective inputs in deriving strategies for sustainable land use planning and management. | publication |
EP 2008001608 W | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ELECTROCHEMICAL ANALYTE SENSOR | A method of operating an electrochemical analyte sensor having one or more electrodes may comprise applying a time-varying input signal to at least one of the one or more electrodes, monitoring a time-varying output signal produced by the sensor in response to application of the time-varying input signal, determining a complex impedance of the sensor based on the time-varying input and output signals, and determining from the complex impedance information relating to operation of the sensor. | patent |
W2381892345 | The Design of Vegetable Greenhouse Temperature and Humidity Monitoring System Based on ARM11 Processor | According to the application requirements of vegetable greenhouse temperature and humidity monitoring,it needs to de-sign a greenhouse temperature and humidity monitoring system based on ARM11 processor.This paper firstly analyzes the selection of tem-perature and humidity sensor and ARM processor and function in details,then describes the detailed design of algorithm of vegetablegreenhouse temperature and humidity,which mainly solves the multi senors data fusion and the anti-jamming problem in the process ofsampling,and the problem of automatic control in the vegetable greenhouse temperature and humidity. This test shows that the tempera-ture and humidity monitoring system designed in this paper has quicker response speed can carry on the adjustment in vegetable green-house temperature and humidity in a short period time. Besides,this monitoring system has stronger anti-jamming ability. | publication |
W2334400796 | Design of an interactive system for city bus transport and visually impaired people using wireless communication, smartphone and embedded system | There are millions of people over the world with some visual impairment or totally blind. Most of them face challenges every day, such as learning, walking and others. If they need to use the public transport, they depend on the good will of the people around them to help. In this paper, the author proposes a wireless interactive system composed by modules, which works with smartphone, embedded system and an application using voice message. The user module uses a smartphone with an application that is used for set the public transport line desired. This module communicates with a bus stop station module, and then a wireless link is created. Once the system is aware that there is a person with visual impairment on the station, it communicates with the module installed in the vehicle that attends the route requested, and it warns the driver with visual and an audible signal. The bus arrives at the station, the person boards the bus, and the wireless network is undone, waiting for a new request. The system proposed does not need to use Global System Position, and uses only microcontrollers, transceivers and extra electronics circuits | publication |
W4220962712 | Puesta en escena de la “modernidad” en El Perú en el Primer Centenario de su Independencia (1922) | En el contexto de las celebraciones del primer siglo de vida independiente del país, momento clave para y en la construcción de los imaginarios nacionales, se realizaron obras para vehicularlas. El artículo se centra en el El Perú en el Primer Centenario de su Independencia, publicado en 1922. En este trabajo nos enfocamos en las representaciones de la “modernidad” que propone para cuestionar la imagen que pretendió fraguarse del Perú en un momento importante de su historia nacional: modernidad en las infraestructuras, estabilidad tanto política como económica orientada hacia el futuro y “progreso social” son los principales ejes que estudiamos. También planteamos el tema de los diferentes destinatarios del libro, nacionales e internacionales, para ver cómo contribuye a inscribir al Perú entre las naciones modernas a inicios del siglo veinte. | publication |
W2007982227 | Synthesis of titania microspheres with hierarchical structures and high photocatalytic activity by using nonanoic acid as the structure-directing agent | Abstract The titania, as the heterogeneous photocatalyst, has attracted much attention in attempts to eliminate pollutants, especially organic compounds in water and air. In this study, the titania microspheres with hierarchical structures were prepared by a combined sol–gel and solvothermal method. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) result indicated that the synthesized titania microspheres were of anatase phase. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) showed that the microspheres with well-dispersity had an average diameter of 651 nm and were composed of nanoparticles with about 20 nm in diameter. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) results showed that the microspheres possessed high surface areas and lots of mesopores. Further study indicated that the synthesized titania microspheres exhibited high photocatalytic activity and had an important advantage over the commercial P25. | publication |
US 0017022 W | BLOCK-ORIENTED CONTROL SYSTEM ON HIGH SPEED ETHERNET | A distributed control system architecture (HSE) provides an open, interoperable solution optimized for integration of distributed control systems and other control devices in a high performance backbone, provides an open, interoperable solution that provides system time synchronization suitable for distributed control applications operable over a high performance backbone, and provides an open, interoperable solution that provides a fault tolerant high performance backbone as well as fault tolerant devices that are connected to the backbone. The distributed control system architecture comprises a High speed Eternet Field Device Access (HSE FDA) Agent, which maps services of a distributed control system, e.g., a fieldbus System, to and from a standard, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Ethernet/Internet component. The distributed control system architecture also comprises a High speed Ethernet System Management Kernel (HSE SMK) that operates to keep a local time, and keeps the difference between the local time and a system time provided by a time server within a value specified by the time sync class. The local time is used to time stamp events so that event messages from devices may be correlated across the system. The distributed control system architecture further comprises a High speed Ehernet Local Area Network Redundancy Entity (HSE LRE) that provides redundancy transparent to the applications running on the system. The HSE LRE of each device periodically transmits a diagnostic message representing its view of the network to the other Devices on the system. Each device uses the diagnostic messages to maintain a Network Status Table (NST), which is used for fault detection and selection from a redundant pair of resources. | patent |
W2053376503 | High throughput VLSI architecture for HEVC SAO encoding for ultra HDTV | This paper presents a high performance, silicon area efficient, and software configurable hardware architecture for sample adaptive offset (SAO) encoding. The paper proposes a novel architecture consisting of single largest coding unit (LCU) stage SAO operation, unified data path for luma and chroma channels, add-on external interfaces on frame level statistics collection units to allow fine control over the parameter estimation process, flexible rate control and artifact avoidance algorithms. The unified data path consists of 2D-block based processing with 3 pipeline stages for statistics generation and multiple offset rate-distortion cost estimation blocks for high performance. The proposed design after placement and routing is expected to take-up approximately 0.15 mm2 of silicon area in 28nm CMOS process. The proposed design at 200 MHz supports 4K Ultra HD video encoding at 60fps. Simulation experiments have shown average bit-rate saving of up to 4.3% with in-loop SAO filtering and various encoder configurations. | publication |
984731 | Improved nano-structure for photocatalytic efficient cleaning of surfaces | The photocatalytic self-cleaning products can be greatly beneficial by reducing the frequency of cleaning operations in exterior surfaces, reducing the maintenance and operational costs, and preserving the ecosystem, by avoiding the use of cleaning products with chemical agents. Still, available self-cleaning coatings are very limited, presenting short lifetimes and poor self-cleaning capacity. Joma developed the next generation of photocatalytic self-cleaning and anti-polluting technologies for the efficient treatment of concrete surfaces in urban areas, addressing not only the need for buildings and infrastructures’ maintenance reduction but also the major societal problem of urban air quality.
Joma will deliver an improved titania-based technology, with a unique and proprietary nanostructure. The technology brings together a superior self-cleaning performance, anti-greening proven efficiency and anti-polluting potential, based on its higher photocatalytic activity, higher specificity for removal of the surrounding NO2, cost-effectiveness, high level of customization, possibility to combine with water protection and significant maintenance need reduction and consequent cost savings. The customized nanoparticle is the key component of Joma’s products representing an outstanding innovation against current stated-of-the-art in self-cleaning technologies.
To bridge the remaining steps towards full scale commercialization of our nanotechnology, Joma has to widely demonstrate its economic and environmental assets over competing solutions and to consolidate our strategic partnering in the concrete manufacturing and maintenance industry value chain. Thus, Joma will leverage from the current SME instrument application as a stepping stone to prepare the company’s business strategy and to propel the commercialization of our technology, which we expect to become a new reference in the construction industry sector. | project/european |
W2914797718 | Landscape-Based Habitat Engineering for Sugarcane Ecosystem: A Green Technological Option for Pest Management | A conceptual model of habitat augmentation for subtropical sugarcane ecosystem has been established to enhance its self-regulatory capacity for pest protection by linking species interrelationships and their trophic interactions. In order to ensure adequate number of predators and parasitoids to deliver the desired level of pest control, strategic approach is needed to support natural enemies. The provisioning of food for their adults, alternate hosts in the vicinity, shelter, etc., through habitat alteration may be the sustainable answer. The innovative design in this model that is integration of lac cultivation in the neighborhood of sugarcane is expected to prolong food availability to adult parasitoids, alternate host and shelter. The lac insect and its host plant are excellent source of honey dew, nectar and is available almost year round. The associated insect fauna of lac is not only potential natural biocontrol agents but also lac cultivation supports honey bee population. It is believed that such a model of habitat augmentation in conjunction with the presently available tools in biological insect management will be more effective with a lower cost of operation. The additional cash income through lac is another benefit to sugarcane farmers. We anticipate that the ecological and economic benefits of the suggested model may add value to the sugarcane ecosystem and will attract attention of all the stakeholders associated with this commercial crop. | publication |
US 2013/0073706 W | GRADIENT-BASED SINGLE WELL SAGD RANGING SYSTEM | A tool, method and system for ranging between two wellbores. The target wellbore includes a conductive member disposed within a portion of the target wellbore. An investigative wellbore includes an electromagnetic gradiometer positioned within the wellbore, as well as emitter electrode and return electrode spaced apart along an investigative wellbore, preferably in the process of being drilled. The position of the emitter electrode and the return electrode are selected to optimize current transmission to the target wellbore in order to enhance the electromagnetic field emanating from the conductive member at a desired point along the conductive member. Where the electrodes and gradiometer are carried by a drill string, gap subs are positioned along the drill string to minimize conduction of current along the drill string therebetween. In some embodiments, the gradiometer is positioned between the emitter and return electrodes. | patent |
988847 | Neuropsychiatric disorders are a heterogeneous group of mental pathologies that demand prolonged and treatments that are frequently ineffective. elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms under | Neuropsychiatric disorders are a heterogeneous group of mental pathologies that demand prolonged and treatments that are frequently ineffective. Elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases is paramount for a precise classification of subgroups of patient and application of appropriate therapeutic strategies. The role of the immune system in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders has been the subject of debate for many decades. However, recent recognition of antibody-mediated central nervous system (CNS) disorders has fueled the search for a subgroup of patients with an antibody-mediated psychiatric illness. CNS autoantibodies have demonstrated to be pathogenic by disrupting the functional or structural integrity of synapses and their study has become an exciting research topic. Several aspects about the mode of action of these pathogenic autoantibodies remain unsolved, such as their accumulation in specific brain regions. An important factor for this preferential retention could be the influence of brain extracellular space (ECS), a component of the brain that has remained largely inaccessible for exploration due to its complex organization and technical limitations for its examination in living tissue. Recent advances in Nanotechnology and Biotechnology have given rise to unique tools to tackle the study of complex biological systems, thus we are now in a privileged position to explore the architecture of the ECS and the dynamics of CNS autoantibodies into brain tissue. The aim of this project is to define how the dynamics of CNS autoantibodies is affected by the ECS architecture in specific brain regions. This goal will be accomplished by using an original strategy combining classical imaging approaches to map the distribution of CNS autoantibodies between different brain structures and nanoparticle monitoring techniques to visualize at the nanoscopic scale the dynamics of CNS autoantibodies and the ECS architecture. | project/european |
W1677935803 | Implications of the number of years assessment on recommendation of common bean cultivars | In the common bean crop in Brazil, the requirement of the value for cultivation and use trials is that these experiments must be conducted over two years in three locations per region. Information in regard to the necessary number of years to ensure precision in cultivar recommendation and the influence of evaluated years in the estimation of the GE interaction are still scarce. Using grain yield of five check varieties assessed over 11 years in three sowing seasons per year, the aims of this study are as follows: to measure the relative contribution of the GE interaction, evaluating the implication of the number of years in the estimates of the GE interaction, and infer how many years are needed to ensure precision in cultivar recommendation. For instances, analysis of variance was carried out involving all environments and also combinations of years. The results showed that the GE interaction was greater than all other cross-effects involving lines. The use of at least two years allows good coincidence in cultivar recommendation compared to the whole period. Increasing the evaluation time is a good strategy, especially when it is difficult to grow three different sowing seasons. | publication |
W2125887298 | The trend and growth implications of bank recapitalization in Nigeria | One of the major macroeconomic variables that compliment bank performances is availability of capital. Economic theories show that inadequate capital contributes to bank failures and retards economic growth. This study however, examined the trend and the growth implications of bank capitalization in Nigeria. The secondary data used for the study were processed using sample test technique for difference between two means and the E-view for windows electronic packages. The test of difference of mean helped us to compare the means of the variables before and after recapitalization to see if there is any significant difference between the two periods. The findings showed that there is a significant difference between the two means and hence the two periods. The result indicated that post recapitalization mean at 21.58 is higher than the pre recapitalization mean of 15.09, implying that banks are more adequately capitalized and less risky after the programme. This result also indicated that recapitalization has low but significant influence on the growth of Nigerian economy compare to other variables in the model. The study strongly supported the need for the government to sustain the recapitalization policy.
Key words: Bank, recapitalization, economic growth, Basel agreement, globalization. | publication |
978259 | Reactive transport and mixing in heterogeneous media: chemical random walks under local non-equilibrium | Understanding and modelling reactive transport in porous media is fundamental to predicting field-scale biogeochemical reactions, which play a key role in current environmental issues such as water resources management and carbon dioxide sequestration. A major scientific challenge is to capture the dynamics of coupled solute mixing and reaction processes in the context of multiscale heterogeneity, which characterise most natural porous media. In particular, the impact of pore-scale mixing on large- (Darcy-)scale reactive transport is a critical scientific question. ChemicalWalks addresses this question by coupling for the first time the lamella theory of mixing, developed by the host supervisor, and the chemical CTRW model for reaction kinetics under incomplete mixing, recently developed by the ER. While the lamella theory has successfully quantified mixing processes and fluid-fluid reactions at pore scale, its application to fluid-solid reactions, which are ubiquitous in natural systems, remains to be explored. The key idea of ChemicalWalks is to use the lamella theory to determine how pore-scale concentration distributions control the distribution of fluid-solid reaction rates, and formalize a predictive theory for upscaled reaction kinetics through the chemical CTRW framework (WP1). The complementary expertise of the researcher and the host will ensure a particularly efficient two-way transfer of knowledge to achieve this goal. This will open the door to the development of a hybrid computational method, quantifying the effect of pore-scale mixing on Darcy-scale reactive transport phenomena at a scale relevant to environmental applications (WP2). ChemicalWalks will be firmly rooted on a career development plan and supported by scientific training in state-of-the-art mixing theories and data processing and interpretation techniques, placing the fellow at the forefront of reactive transport modelling. | project/european |
W1499370629 | Analisis Perbedaan Hasil Belajar Menggunakan Multimedia Hyperlink Dengan Non Hyperlink Dalam Pembelajaran Ekonomi Siswa SMA Negeri Kota Bukittingi | Abstract Senior high school students’ economic on the ten grade in Bukittinggi are less motivated in studying so that students’ economic learng outcomes become low.this is caused because of the way of teacher in teaching and it gives linpact on the students learning out come, the minimal standard score economic ten grade is 75 with range 0-100 there are many factor lafluence the students’ learning out come, for example teaching method and learning media. Due to this problem the researcher did a research to see the differences of students learning outcome in studying economic between learning by using hyperlink multimedia and non hyperlink multimedia. This research is a quasi experment. The data were taken by using purposive sampling. Based on the result of the research, the mean score of students taught by using hyperlink multimedia is 79,07. Based the mean score of students’ taught by using no hyperlink multimedia is 71,72. In conclusion, the process of teaching learning in economic is suitable by using hyperlink multimedia, it is expeted for economic teacher to use hyperlink multimedia because it gives positive effect and increases the students’ learning outcome. Keyword : learning media, hyperlink multimedia, non hyperlink multimedia | publication |
W1981227853 | Paternal breed effects on expression of IGF-II, BAK1 and BCL2-L1 in bovine preimplantation embryos | Summary The effects of the paternal breed on early embryo and later pre- and postnatal development are well documented. Several recent studies have suggested that such paternal effects may be mediated by the paternally induced epigenetic modifications during early embryogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the paternal breed on the early embryonic development and relative expression of the maternally imprinted gene, IGF-II , and the apoptosis-related genes BAK1 and BCL2-L1 in in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos derived from two unrelated paternal breeds (Holstein and Brown Swiss). The degree of correlation of IGF-II expression pattern with embryo developmental competence and apoptosis-related genes was also investigated. The relative abundance of IGF-II , BCL2-L1 and BAK1 transcripts in day 8 embryos was measured by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction using the comparative C p method. Our data revealed that the paternal breed did not influence cleavage rate, blastocyst rate and relative abundance of IGF-II , BAK1 and BCL2-L1 in day 8 blastocysts ( P > 0.05). Nevertheless, IGF-II expression levels were highly correlated with embryonic developmental competence ( r = 0.66, P < 0.1), relative expression of BCL2-L1 ( r = 0.72, P < 0.05) and ratio of BCL2-L1 / BAK1 ( r = 0.78, P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data show that IGF-II , BCL2-L1 and BAK1 expression is not related to the chosen combination of paternal breed, but that IGF-II expression is correlated with embryonic viability and apoptosis-related gene expression. | publication |
W1997776694 | Preparation of Spiro[Benzopyran-Isoxazoles] from the Condensation–Cyclization of Oxime 1,4-Dianions with Select Coumarins | A representative spiro[benzopyran-isoxazole], 3′-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N,N-diethyl-4-methyl-4′H-spiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,5′-isoxazol]-7-amine 3a, was submitted for single crystal X-ray analysis. It has been prepared by the condensation–cyclization of dilithiated C(α),O-3′,4′-dimethoxyacetophenone oxime with a substituted coumarin, 7-(diethylamino)-4-methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one. This results from the 1,2-carbonyl addition, Claisen type, of the dilithiated oxime with this coumarin ester carbonyl to afford C-acylated intermediates that were not isolated, but were acid cyclized to the spiro[benzopyran-isoxazoles], a new spiro heterocyclic system. There was no evidence for Michael-type 1,4-addition found during this initial investigation. An indication that the experimental multiple anion procedure is general, has been the preparation of two additional spiro(benzopyran-isoxazoles) 3b and 3c. Crystals of C24H28N2O4
3a are triclinic, $$p\bar{1}$$
, a = 9.161(2) A, b = 9.716(2) A, c = 12.869(3) A, α = 75.84(3)°, β = 81.03(3)°, γ = 73.96(3)°, Z = 2, V = 1062.5(4) A3, R
1 = 0.0539 and wR
2 = 0.1366 for reflections with I > 2σ(I). X-ray crystal analysis confirmed the structure of 3′-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N,N-diethyl-4-methyl-4′H-spiro(2H-1-benzopyran-2,5′-isoxazol)-7-amine prepared by the condensation–cyclization of dilithiated C(α),O-3′,4′-dimethoxyacetophenone oxime with a substituted coumarin, 7-(diethylamino)-4-methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one. | publication |
W602792853 | Cognitive and physical perspectives | Chapter 1 Introduction.- Part 1 Cognition and Psychology.- Chapter 2 The Cognition of Homo neanderthalensis and H. Sapiens: Does the Use of Pigment Necessarily Imply Symbolic Thought?.- Chapter 3 Comparisons between Individual, Imitative and Instructed Learning.- Chapter 4 The Ability to Objectify Conventional Styles of Problem-Solving: A Hypothesis on the Difference in Learning Ability between Modern Humans and Neanderthals.- Chapter 5 Cognitive Flexibility and Object-making in Baka Pygmy Children.- Chapter 6 The Demonstration of Resilience in the Drawings of Baka Pygmy Children.- Chapter 7 Social Learning, Trial-and-Error, and Creativity.- Chapter 8 Experimental Studies of Modern Human Social and Individual Learning in an Archaeological Context: People Behave Adaptively, But within Limits.- Part 2 Body Science and Genetics.- Chapter 9 Motion Analysis for Stone-Knapping of the Skilled Levallois Technique.- Chapter 10 Daily Physical Activity and Time-Space Using of Pygmy Hunter-Gatherers' Children in Southeast Cameroon.- Chapter 11 Estimation of the Period of Childhood and Child Growth Characteristics of Pygmy Hunter-Gatherers in Southeast Cameroon.- Chapter 12 Interpretations of Practical Population Genetics Analyses of Genome-Wide SNP Data on Human Demography.- Part 3 Reconstruction of Fossil Crania and Brain Morphology.- Chapter 13 Functional Craniology, Human Evolution, and Anatomical Constraints in the Neanderthal Braincase.- Chapter 14 Cerebral Sulci and Gyri Observed on Macaque Endocasts.- Chapter 15 The Coronal Suture as an Indicator of the Caudal Border of the Monkey Prefrontal Cortex.- Chapter 16 Application of Sliding Landmark Method for Morphological Analysis of Modern Japanese Neurocranial Shape.- Chapter 17 A Geometric Morphometric Study of Neurocranial Shape Variations in the Crania of Modern Japanese.- Chapter 18 Statistical Interpolation of Missing Parts in Human Crania Using Regularized Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis.- Chapter 19 Transferring Semi-Landmarks by Minimizing Bending Energy on Surfaces.- Chapter 20 CT Image Segmentation for Bone Structures Using Image-Based FEM.- Chapter 21 Virtual Endocast of Qafzeh 9: A Preliminary Assessment of Right-Left Asymmetry.- Chapter 22 Reconstruction of the Brain from Skull Fossils Using Computational Anatomy.- Part 4 Neuroscience.- Chapter 23 Integrated Analytical Scheme for Comparing Neanderthal's Brain to Modern Human Brain Using Neuroimaging Techniques.- Chapter 24 Cerebellar Size Estimation from Endocranial Measurements: An Evaluation Based on MRI Data.- Chapter 25 Sense of Acceptance: Key Factor of Social Learning.- Chapter 26 Brain Activation Related to the Imitative Learning of Bodily Actions Observed during the Construction of a Mousterian Stone Tool: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.- Chapter 27 Neural Substrates Associated with Motivation to Learn in Modern Humans. | publication |
W1981462438 | A Geometrical Approach to Research into Signal Recognition in Visual Systems of Humans and Animals | In the paper an attempt is made to justify the importance of geometrical language (especially metric space models) for the description of visual perception processing. The tradition to use geometry for the description of psychophysiological processes goes back to a Newtonian color circle. At present there are many examples of such models, as well as of examples from other areas of mathematics. However, we want to justify a position, that geometrical language is not simply one of formal languages used for the description of visual perception phenomena. We’ll try to represent it as the approach, which includes both the formal description of psychological phenomena and neurophysiological mechanisms, as well as experimental techniques of research into these phenomena and mechanisms. | publication |
EP 2014069546 W | FIELD BUS COUPLER FOR CONNECTING MODULES TO A FIELD BUS AND METHOD FOR ADDRESSING SUCH MODULES | The invention relates to a method for addressing modules (5) which are connected to a field bus coupler (3) via a sub-bus (4) and are connected to a field bus (2) of an industrial automation system via the field bus coupler (3). The method has the following steps: - storing an assignment vector (Z) in a memory (32) of the field bus coupler (3), wherein the assignment vector (Z) reflects a current configuration of the modules (5); - gradually determining the modules (5) currently connected to the sub-bus (4); - allocating an address determined using the assignment vector (Z) to the determined module (5), and - addressing the modules (5) using the allocated address. The invention also relates to a field bus coupler for connecting modules to a field bus of an industrial automation system via a sub-bus, which is set up to carry out said method. | patent |
Q2170203 | (A19_092_2016_0920184_1237) STRATEC: ESTRATÉGIAS DE INTERNACIONALIZAÇÃO PARA O SETOR DA TRANSFORMAÇÃO DA MADEIRA NO SETOR DA TRANSFORMAÇÃO DA MADEIRA | O PROGRAMA DE INVESTIMENTO DAS CINCO EMPRESAS TEM UMA CONCEÇÃO BÁSICA PARA APOIAR O FORTE CAPITLIT? A PRESENÇA DAS EMPRESAS DO GRUPO EM MERCADOS INTERNACIONAIS. A FORÇA DAS PME DO SETOR? A CAPACIDADE DELES? AQUISIÇÃO DE PEQUENAS QUOTAS DE MERCADO NUM NÚMERO IMPORTANTE DE MERCADOS NO MUNDO (30-50 EM FUNÇÃO DA EMPRESA). É CRUCIAL PARA A SUA COOPERAÇÃO NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UM PROGRAMA DE INTERVENÇÃO COMUM? O COMPLEMENTARET?: AS EMPRESAS ENVOLVIDAS TÊM UMA PRODUÇÃO ABSOLUTAMENTE NÃO COMPETITIVA E PODEM OPERAR EM MERCADOS COM MAIOR MASSA CRÍTICA, UNINDO FORÇAS NA INTERVENÇÃO DO GRUPO. O PROGRAMA DE INVESTIMENTO? PORQUE É QUE É? EM PORMENOR: C1_FOR TODAS AS EMPRESAS QUE PARTICIPAM NO XYLPO INTERNACIONAL? MILÃO, 2016 24-28 MAIO. A XYLEXOP, DESDE 1968, É O ÚNICO SETOR EM ITÁLIA A NÍVEL INTERNACIONAL. 25 ANOS? EDIÇÃO? REALIZADO EM MILÃO, MILÃO, DE 24 A 28 DE MAIO DE 2016 | project/regional |
interreg_2974 | Regional infrastructure for railway freight transport - revitalised | All across CE area rail freight transport dramatically lost market shares. To reverse this negative trend huge investment programs are under way with a focus on main corridors. Complementary to this initiative REIF aims at increasing the modal share of rail freight transport through mitigation measures for the regional rail feeder system. In particular, REIF is tackling relevant challenges related to lacking connectivity at regional level. In this purpose, REIF is developing and applying tools to analyze regional potentials for rail freight transport, identifying infrastructural bottlenecks, and effective measures for either preserving vulnerable connections or even redeveloping closed tracks. Pilot actions test novel approaches to overcome different discontinuities of the regional rail network in the participating regions. Furthermore, the different conditions for triggering the activation of new rail services, ranging from organizational aspects to the need of ensuring a “critical mass” of traffic demand, are investigated. This will result in regional action plans defining priorities and potential policy measures. Partners will derive regional strategies from project findings to be integrated into regional policy instruments. Regional capacity building workshops will train a pool of regional administrations’ staff so as to sustain knowledge about the policy field in the institutions. This multifaceted effort is meant to concretely change the current situation by establishing regional policy instruments and permanent coordination mechanisms among public and private market players. REIF’s innovative approach is leveraging on enhanced coordination and governance within and between regional contexts. REIF is keen on addressing the transnational dimension. Based on a Transferability Plan, the CE-wide scope is the object of the efforts meant to generalize lessons learned and ensure further replicability to the novel governance approach brought in by REIF. | project/regional |
W60186598 | Metrics for Metadata Quality Assurance and Their Implications for Digital Libraries | This study aims at developing a set of common metrics for metadata quality at data element level. The proposed metrics are used to assure the quality for metadata that converted from heterogeneous metadata formats and sources into a Dublin Core based centralized digital repository. This study adopted the metrics provided by Bruce and Hillmann [2] as a basis to develop the proposed metrics as follows: conformance to expectations, provenance, accuracy, completeness and accessibility. A hybrid approach of automatic and manual had developed for assessing metadata quality in practice. Target subjects were two individual projects selected from the Taiwan E-Learning and Digital Archives Program as use case to illustrate the details and examine the feasibility of the proposed metrics. Finally, this study discussed the implications of proposed metadata quality metrics for digital libraries in the following perspectives: project management, metadata management, hidden quality problems and accessibility. | publication |
W2364878241 | Comparison study of inguinal mini-incision onhypogastrium striation and traditional surgery therapy in children with inguinal hernia | Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of treatment with pediatric patients with inguinal hernia via laparoscopic repairing inner ring with mini-incision on hypogastrium striation.Methods A total of 212 pediatric patients with hernia treated by traditional surgery were retrospectively analyzed (tradition group).366 pediatric patients with inguinal herina who are treated by laparoscopic repairing inner ring with mini-incision on hypogastrium striation (laparoscope group).The surgery time,the amount of bleeding during surgery,postoperative spontaneous activity time and complications were compared between the two groups.Results Compared to the tradition group,there is significant reduction in laparoscope group regarding surgery time,amount of bleeding during surgery,postoperative spontaneous activity time and complication (P0.001).Conclusions Inguinal hernia treatment in pediatric patients via laparoscopic repairing inner ring with mini-incision on hypogastrium striation has the advantages in short surgery time,less amount of bleeding during surgery,early postoperative spontaneous activity time and few complications. | publication |
US 2022/0073276 W | SPRAY NOZZLE FOR DISPENSING A STRUCTURED COMPOSITION AND A SPRAY PRODUCT COMPRISING THE SAME | A spray product is provided. The spray product includes a composition contained within a reservoir. The composition has a yield stress greater than zero and less than 1,000 mPa as determined by the RHEOLOGY TEST METHOD. The spray product includes a valve in composition communication with the reservoir; an actuator in mechanical communication with the valve; a nozzle having an outlet orifice; a swirl chamber in composition communication with the outlet orifice; and a plurality of swirl chamber swirl chamber inlet channels in composition communication with the swirl chamber. The outlet orifice is defined by an outlet orifice diameter and an outlet orifice axial length. A ratio of the outlet orifice diameter to the axial length is from about 1.3 to about 3.5. | patent |
W2110529237 | Development of an atom gravimeter and status of the 10-meter atom interferometer for precision gravity measurement | Experimental realizations of cold (85)Rb atom interferometers in Wuhan are reviewed in this paper. The application of atom interferometers in local gravity measurement are reported. The resolutions of gravity measurement are 2.0 x 10(-7)g for 1 s and 4.5 x 10(-9)g for 1,888 s. The absolute g value was derived with a difference of 1.6 x 10(-7)g compared to the gravity reference value. The tidal phenomenon was observed by continuously monitoring the local gravity over 123 h. A 10-meter atom interferometer designed for precision gravity measurement and the equivalence principle test is under construction, the latest status is reported for the first time. | publication |
W3015978213 | Risk Assessment of Agricultural Drought Disaster on the Huaibei Plain of China Based on the Improved Connection Number and Entropy Information Diffusion Method | In recent years, drought disaster has occurred frequently in China, causing significant agricultural losses. It is increasingly important to assess the risk of agricultural drought disaster (ADD) and to develop a targeted risk management approach. In this study, an ADD risk assessment model was established. First, an improved fuzzy analytic hierarchy process based on an accelerated genetic algorithm (AGA-FAHP) was used to build an evaluation indicator system. Then, based on the indicators, the ADD assessment connection numbers were established using the improved connection number method. Finally, the entropy information diffusion method was used to form an ADD risk assessment model. The model was applied to the Huaibei Plain in Anhui Province (China), with the assessment showing that, in the period from 2008 to 2017, the plain was threatened continuously by ADD, especially during 2011–2013. The risk assessment showed that southern cities of the study area were nearly twice as likely to be struck by ADD as northern cities. Meanwhile, the eastern region had a higher frequency of severe and above-grade ADD events (once every 21 years) than the western region (once every 25.3 years). Therefore, Huainan was identified as a high-risk city and Huaibei as a low-risk city, with Suzhou and Bengbu more vulnerable to ADD than Fuyang and Bozhou. Understanding the spatial dynamics of risk in the study area can improve agricultural system resilience by optimizing planting structures and by enhancing irrigation water efficiency. This model could be used to provide support for increasing agricultural drought disaster resilience and risk management efficiency. | publication |
W1527498287 | Sesquioxides Distribution of Soils of Contrasting Land Units in Egbema, Southeastern, Nigeria | Sesquioxides provide information about several physicochemical properties of the soil including the age, drainage condition, ion retention amongst others. Duplicate soil samples were collected from three depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm) of three land units (natural levee, floodplain and upland) in Egbema, southeastern, Nigeria. and analyzed for dithionate ( d ) and oxalate ( ox ) Fe, Al and Mn. Also the Fe d , Al d , Mn d , Fe ox , Al ox and Mn ox were correlated with selected soil properties. Soil Fe d , Al d and Mn d contents ranged from 7800-20400 and 2200-21900 mg kg -1 , 200-300 and 100-400 mg kg -1 and12000- 20000 and 6000-18100 mg kg -1 while Fe ox , Al ox and Mn ox ranged from 10000-20000 and 10100-16600 mg kg -1 , 100-200 and 100- 300 mg kg -1 and 600-1200 and 10000-14000 mg kg -1 in the top and sub soils respectively. Whereas, dithionate extractable Al and Mn were higher than the oxalate extractible, the reverse was the case for Fe indicating the prevalence of Fe in the amorphous highly reactive fraction. Active Fe, Al and Mn ranged from 0.98-1.28 and 0.55-4.90, 0.33-0.67 and 0.50-2.00 and 0.30-1.00 and 0.56-1.83 in the top and sub soils respectively indicating that their reactivity was stronger in the sub than the top soil. Mean active Fe was higher than the threshold values of 0.54 signifying that the soils are young and poorly drained with the youthfulness and low drainage conditions degreasing as floodplain > natural levee > upland. Soil properties especially sand, silt, clay, silt/clay ratio, TN, OM, P, Ca, K, Mg, Na, H, ECEC and % BS affected soil sesquioxide concentrations. In general, the soils may support intensive production of such crops as rice that tolerates waterlogging and could also retain large amounts of toxic materials or other pollutants from crude oil pollution into insoluble and non available forms due to their high reactivity. Keywords: Sesquioxides, Distribution, Soils, Land units and Nigeria | publication |
TW 108146357 A | Selectable-rate bottom purge apparatus and methods | Electronic device manufacturing systems may include an equipment front end module (EFEM) having a load port assembly configured to receiving a substrate carrier, which may be a front opening unified pod (FOUP). The load port assembly may have a receiving plate upon which the substrate carrier may be received. The receiving plate may have a plurality of gas nozzles that can be coupled to purge ports in a bottom of the substrate carrier and to a purge apparatus of the load port assembly. The purge apparatus is configured to provide a gas to the substrate carrier at a selectable gas flow rate and, in some embodiments, to provide a gas to different portions of the substrate carrier each at a selectable gas flow rate. Methods of providing selectable gas flow rates for purging a substrate carrier coupled to a load port assembly are also provided, as are other aspects. | patent |
US 2008/0076846 W | GEOSPATIAL MODELING SYSTEM PROVIDING WINDOWED GEOSPATIAL MODEL DATA INPAINTING AND RELATED METHODS | A geospatial modeling system (30) may include a geospatial model data storage device (31), and a processor (32). The processor (32) may cooperate with the geospatial model data storage device (31) for windowing geospatial model spatial domain data to define a plurality of windowed geospatial model spatial domain data sets (50), and transforming the plurality of windowed geospatial model spatial domain data sets to define a plurality of corresponding geospatial model frequency domain data sets, each having at least one void (39) therein. The processor (32) may further cooperate with the geospatial model data storage device (31) for inpainting data into the at least one void (39) of each geospatial model frequency domain data set (50) to define a plurality of inpainted geospatial model frequency domain data sets, and reconstructing the plurality of inpainted geospatial model frequency domain data sets into an overall geospatial model frequency domain data set. | patent |
887351 | Network for effective knowledge transfer on safe and economic wastewater reuse in agriculture in europe | Reclaimed water has a strong potential for complementing conventional water resources. According to the European Commission communication “Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy” (COM(2015)0614): “in addition to water-efficiency measures, the reuse of treated wastewater in safe and cost-effective conditions is a valuable but under-used means of increasing water supply and alleviating pressure on over-exploited water resources in the EU”. Water reuse is especially relevant in agriculture as this is one of the main water consumers, having additional benefits for farmers: lower cost compared to other solutions (e.g. desalination), reliability of supply regardless of season, climatic conditions and associated water restrictions, and nutrients contribution of the treated wastewater that can supplement or replace conventional fertilizers. Based on the results of a previous EU project called SuWaNu (contract number 319998) whose main result was to set research driven clusters in the field of water reuse in 5 target countries: Malta, Spain, Germany, Greece and Bulgaria, SuWaNu Europe is intended to bridge the current innovation gaps and achieve an effective implementation of reuse solutions in agriculture. SuWaNu Europe will extend the geographical coverage of its predecessor and will summarize, share and present existing and upcoming knowledge and skills in the field of water reuse in agriculture to the relevant stakeholders such as farmers and farming advisory groups. SuWaNu Europe will also create regional working groups for the development of action plans. These action plans will set strategies at regional level with the objective of boosting innovation in the agricultural and water sectors, improving best practice development and identifying the most appropriate channels to reach stakeholders. In addition to this, dissemination and training will create the capacity and competencies needed to implement these results. | project/european |
622733 | Cooperative robots for extreme environments | CoRob-X develops and demonstrates enabling technologies for multi-agent robotic teams. The primary target application is the exploration of planetary surfaces, with a focus on hard-to-reach areas. CoRob-X builds on robotic hardware provided by the project consortium and software building blocks developed within the framework of the SRC Space Robotics Technologies. These building blocks are reused and extended to support a multi-agent exploration team of robots. A first iteration of the Conceptual Study led us to select a set of specific scenarios for the exploration of Lunar surface and lava tubes with a team of three Robotic Explorer Units (REUs). The rovers are at different scale (dimensions, mass) and exhibit different locomotion principles/capabilities.
The final demonstration will be performed in a Moon/Mars (outdoor) analogue simulation environment and include the use of an instrument that will be used on a real space mission (same ground penetrating radar GPR as used in Exomars), and will be aimed to demonstrate how to improve the performances of a space mission (in terms of scientific return, timeliness, availability, responsiveness, and operation costs) and maturity level of the existing building blocks.
Additionally, a terrestrial mining scenario will be demonstrated that reuses the SW packages developed for the space mission but on different robotic platforms. The final demonstration for the terrestrial scenario will be in the mining facilities of Santa Barbara Foundation.
CoRob-X is firmly embedded in the SRC Space Robotics Research ecosystem. Corob-X´s team is formed by key partners that have been involved in each and every previous OG,s from the 1st and 2nd PERASPERA SRC call (from OG1 to OG11). Therefore, we can maximize the capability for re-use and identification of the extensions to the existing building blocks required and minimize the risks associated to the integration activities. | project/european |
W2037423448 | An effective preprocessing Scheme for WLAN-based fingerprint positioning systems | In WLAN-based fingerprint positioning systems, the data preprocessing before applying the matching algorithm is important for improving the accuracy. In this paper, an effective preprocessing scheme is proposed to improve selection methods of reference point (RP) and access point (AP). The spatial filter is used to select RPs, and APs are decided in the principle of minimal redundancy. The experiment is carried out on campus, whose results show that the proposed scheme could improve the accuracy of both the Kernel-based and KNN matching algorithm, especially the former, by about 25%. Moreover, the denser is the AP distribution, the better the proposed scheme performs. | publication |
interreg_62 | Sustainable Mobility and Tourism in Sensitive Areas of the Alps and the Carpathians | The Alpine and the Carpathian Conventions state sustainable tourism mobility as a challenge and call for cooperation on this topic among the countries of these mountain regions. In particular sustainable tourist mobility is not well-developed in mountainous regions, especially in South-East Europe, as mountain regions are lacking sufficient sustainable transport facilities and facing major ecological impacts caused by individual vehicles . Based on this fact, EU-, national strategies and INTERREG-outcomes a project was jointly developed under the leadership of the Environment Agency Austria. The proposed project aims at achieving 'Durable environmentally friendly tourism accessibility and connection to, between and in sensitive regions of the Alps and Carpathians, benefiting all (potential) users' through visualisation of existing problems, awareness raising, development of common knowledge and creation of a monitoring base. With the long-term perspective of increasing sustainable tourist mobility, railway and multimodal connections will be improved and attractive offers created via pre-investment measures, pilot activities and investments. A policy dialogue on the sub-regional and EU-level, feedback loops with the (Interim) Secretariats of the Alpine and Carpathian Convention and the related working groups dealing with transport as well as the development of the Transport Protocol to the Carpathian Convention will ensure political and institutional sustainability of the project and broader dissemination in these two important European mountain ranges.12 partner from 8 countries, accompanied by further 4 ASP (strategic level) and 6 Observers (incl. Slovenia and Montenegro) build the partnership - thus a multi-level participation and broad coverage in both macro-regions and transfer of know-how is ensured. | project/regional |
interreg_1423 | Floriculture Mediterranean: Innovative actions for pubblic and private network | Flower sector distinguishes itself as a global sector where there is a strong competition by big international enterprises and by countries where labour cost is low EU is the main market in the world for consumption of cut flowers. Inside this area Germany is the biggest consumption market while Netherlands acquired the leader role among producers thanks to big organization capacities. Generally the Italian, French, Spanish and Greek companies have met more difficulties with respect to the German and Dutch ones in the run for competitiveness FLORMED wants to promote strategies to generate synergies at transnational level to carry production and markets of the Med area to cooperate, exceeding the competitive pushes on the development of the single and peculiar points of force of everyone Innovation is the first step for flower sector in Med area and represents a key element for the competitiveness of local productions. The priority objective is the improvement of the varieties already cultivated in Med territory interested; it is also important to identify and to experiment new kind and variety suitable for the cultivation in the Med area with the objective to save water and energy. Innovations have a real value if we transfer them to SMEs. It’s important to create a real network among research, institution, producers and sellers to promote and valorise med flower. It’s also important to work together to communicate and to promote among final consumers the quality for med flower. | project/regional |
W2052365115 | Association of Hyperuricemia With Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Elderly Patients | The relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and cardiovascular risk profile was investigated in 557 outpatients (415 women) aged 60 years and older. Patients were grouped according to a UA cutoff level of 5.5 mg/dL. Prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism was increased in women with higher UA, who had higher body mass index (37.7±6.9 vs 33.1±5.9 kg/m(2) , P<.001), waist circumference, and serum glucose and triglyceride concentrations than women with lower UA levels. Conversely, men with higher UA levels showed lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher left ventricular mass than men with lower UA levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced in patients with high UA levels of both sexes (65±17 vs 72±16 mL/min/1.73 m(2) , P<.001, for women; 70±16 vs 76±15 mL/min/1.73 m(2) , P<.03, for men). Grouping patients by sex-specific median UA concentrations produced similar results. These data indicate that, even in the elderly, UA clusters in a sex-specific fashion with features of metabolic syndrome and signs of target organ damage. | publication |
W99181743 | Combined Pleural Fluid Cholesterol and Total Protein in Differentiation of Exudates and Transudates | The management strategy to be adopted in pleural effusion depends on whether an effusion is a transudate or exudate.To evaluate the usefulness of pleural fluid cholesterol and/or total protein measurements for differentiating between exudates and transudates, and to compare it with Light's criteria.In this prospective study 60 patients with pleural effusion were included. Pleural fluid total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cholesterol as well as serum total protein and LDH levels along with other investigations were studied. Clinical classification of transudate or exudate was done on the basis of aetiology.Based on clinical signs and symptoms, chest radiograph, other investigations and response to treatment, 49 of these effusions were classified as exudates and 11 as transudates. Using pleural fluid cholesterol levels at a cut-off point of greater than 60 mg/dL and/or total protein at a cut-off point of greater than 3 g/dL for distinguishing transudates and exudates, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), were 100 percent. Using Light's criteria for discriminating transudates and exudates, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were found to be 98%; 100%; 100% and 92%, respectively. The differences resulted from a mis-classification of one expected exudate as transudate by Light's criteria.Pleural fluid cholesterol and total protein are simple, cost-effective, and useful parameters in distinguishing pleural transudates from exudates, with the advantage of requiring only two laboratory determinations and no simultaneous blood sample, compared to the use of Light's criteria. | publication |
W1519482228 | Can cancer registries show whether treatment is contributing to survival increases for melanoma of the skin at a population level? | It is uncertain whether survival increases from melanoma recorded by some population registries include a treatment effect. The US Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) programme has good data quality control, large numbers of cases enabling high statistical precision and summary stage plus thickness, which we consider to be a best-case population registry scenario to investigate potential for a treatment effect. We have investigated SEER data to indicate whether survivals increases are fully attributable to earlier diagnosis and other non-treatment factors.Through relative survival regression, the effects of diagnostic period on 5-year excess mortality were investigated, adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lesion sub-site, histology, thickness and stage at diagnosis in 1990-2009 (n = 99 690 cases).The reduction in excess mortality (95% confidence interval) between 1990-1999 and 2000-2009 was 31 (20-41)% for localised melanoma, 18 (12-22)% for regional melanoma and 3 (-5-10)% for melanomas with distant spread. Younger age was predictive of a greater percentage reduction. Treatment benefits are inferred from the higher survivals in 2000-2009 but uncertainty remains due to incomplete data to adjust for non-treatment factors and a lack of treatment data.Registries should use new information systems to collect more complete data on stage, other prognostic indicators, co-morbidities and treatment, to provide more definitive and detailed information on population effects of cancer control. | publication |
W2051491799 | Affine equivalence for rotation symmetric Boolean functions with 2 k variables | Rotation symmetric Boolean functions have been extensively studied in the last 10 years or so because of their importance in cryptography and coding theory. Until recently, very little was known about the basic question of when two such functions are affine equivalent. Even the case of quadratic functions is nontrivial, and this was only completely settled in a 2009 paper of Kim, Park and Hahn. The much more complicated case of cubic functions was solved for permutations using a new concept of patterns in a 2010 paper of Cusick, and it is conjectured that, as in the quadratic case, this solution actually applies for all affine transformations. The patterns method enables a detailed analysis of the affine equivalence classes for various special classes of cubic rotation symmetric functions in n variables. Here the case of functions with 2 k variables (this number is especially relevant in computer applications) and generated by a single monomial is examined in detail, and in particular a formula for the number of classes is proved. | publication |
W1976710123 | A New Framework for Cortico-Striatal Plasticity: Behavioural Theory Meets In Vitro Data at the Reinforcement-Action Interface | Operant learning requires that reinforcement signals interact with action representations at a suitable neural interface. Much evidence suggests that this occurs when phasic dopamine, acting as a reinforcement prediction error, gates plasticity at cortico-striatal synapses, and thereby changes the future likelihood of selecting the action(s) coded by striatal neurons. But this hypothesis faces serious challenges. First, cortico-striatal plasticity is inexplicably complex, depending on spike timing, dopamine level, and dopamine receptor type. Second, there is a credit assignment problem-action selection signals occur long before the consequent dopamine reinforcement signal. Third, the two types of striatal output neuron have apparently opposite effects on action selection. Whether these factors rule out the interface hypothesis and how they interact to produce reinforcement learning is unknown. We present a computational framework that addresses these challenges. We first predict the expected activity changes over an operant task for both types of action-coding striatal neuron, and show they co-operate to promote action selection in learning and compete to promote action suppression in extinction. Separately, we derive a complete model of dopamine and spike-timing dependent cortico-striatal plasticity from in vitro data. We then show this model produces the predicted activity changes necessary for learning and extinction in an operant task, a remarkable convergence of a bottom-up data-driven plasticity model with the top-down behavioural requirements of learning theory. Moreover, we show the complex dependencies of cortico-striatal plasticity are not only sufficient but necessary for learning and extinction. Validating the model, we show it can account for behavioural data describing extinction, renewal, and reacquisition, and replicate in vitro experimental data on cortico-striatal plasticity. By bridging the levels between the single synapse and behaviour, our model shows how striatum acts as the action-reinforcement interface. | publication |
interreg_3076 | RURAL INNOVA - Réseau d’échanges pour une politique régionale de développement rural innovante | There is still much disparity in terms of development between regions in the European Union. Rural territories are particularly threatened, largely due to their low populations and agricultural-based economies, which have been in decline since the early 20th century. In a bid to curb the devitalisation of these rural areas, the RURAL INNOVA project intends to build an interregional network to exchange good practices and transfer experiences in order to put non-agricultural rural development factors to better use, via 4 courses of action: Attracting new populations; Innovative economic activities; Essential services for the population; Perspectives and assessment. Overall objective / Objectif général The network has 3 objectives: to draw up a definition of rural development strategy with regards to coming policy of cohesion, in accordance with the 2nd pillar of the CAP; to improve coherence and efficiency of sectorial public policy affecting development in rural areas; to structure and federate rural areas in Europe around large communal orientations, thus contributing to an innovative approach to rural development. Expected results / Résultats attendus Many results are expected from the RURAL INNOVA project: take stock of the potential for innovative rural development; exchange good practices and transfer experience; Increase the partners’ ability to define new rural development policies; implement networks of agents and centres for transnational resources; increase the attractiveness of Europe’s rural regions. In addition to the added value involved in preparations for European programmes between 2007 and 2013, the partners in the network intend to issue, together with other European regions, a Statement in favour of innovative rural development, and to propose to the EU a specific RURAL programme for territorial cohesion in rural areas as the next Territorial Cooperation Objective. | project/regional |
W2081422544 | The Perceptibility of the Invisible Cosmology: Religious Rituals and Embodied Spirituality among the Bahraini Shi‘a | This article analyses the relationship between the seen and the unseen in the cosmology and practices of Bahraini Shi‘a. Rather than contrasting the visible and the invisible, the study delineates the hierarchical relations between them, within a whole or cosmology, as reflected in various discursive and nondiscursive actions that are supported by the religious beliefs of Bahraini Shi‘a. Issues of the Hidden Imam, concealment, dissimulation and other unseen dimensions of the cosmos are discussed. The article finds that the Shi‘a construct the invisible in their social world by using visible ways of creatively enacting their hidden thoughts and beliefs, as represented in their religious discourses, rituals and body symbolism. Their belief in a divine higher power provides a source of emotional, spiritual and socio-political empowerment. | publication |
643697 | The impact of legal recognition of sign languages on sign language users and deaf communities | The Legal Recognition of Sign Languages project (LRSL) aims to interrogate whether legal recognition of Sign Languages (SLs) actually provides Deaf people and SL users with realisable and enforceable rights. Using a socio-legal approach, LRSL investigates both the laws and the experiences of SL recognition in three European jurisdictions: Finland; Ireland and the United Kingdom. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with Deaf representatives from Deaf Organisations to investigate how legal recognition is actually impacting Deaf people and Deaf Communities. In combining legal research and qualitative research, LRSL will provide an understanding of the necessary steps for implementation of rights that are meaningful and effective for Deaf people and SL users. LRSL will provide valuable insight into effective and ineffective mechanisms used to give agency and rights to Deaf Communities over their languages and culture. The research will provide unique and vital analysis and understanding of best-practices for the implementation of legal recognition of SLs, or the amendment of pre-existing legal recognition. LRSL will provide a roadmap for future efforts to recognise SLs in law within other jurisdictions. This roadmap will be made available to Deaf people and Organisations, activist groups, policymakers and legislators to aid in the implementation or amendment of legal recognition for SLs. | project/european |
220763 | Innovative cost-effective technology for maximizing aquatic biomass-based molecules for food, feed and cosmetic applications | EU society needs new sustainable biobased feedstock in order to meet the growing population needs and to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. In terms of potential market requirements in EU, the food and fuel demand is mainly covered by foreign import, achieving the 68% of total proteins supply. Aquatic feedstock can be a solution to these necessities, however, European algae feedstock market is still facing immature production technologies, and which are not specifically designed for algae biorefinery.
The overall objective of BIOSEA is the development and validation of innovative, competitive and cost-effective upstream and downstream processes for the cultivation of 2 microalgae (Spirulina platensis and Isochrysis galbana), and 2 macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis and Saccharina latissima) to produce and extract at least 6 high value active principles at low cost (up to 55% less than with current processes) to be used in food, feed and cosmetic/personal care as high-added value products.
For achieving this objective, BIOSEA consortium consists of specialists in specific area/s or discipline/s involved in the project (IGV, AT SEA and CTAQUA in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology; VITO and FEYECON in Chemical Science and Engineering; CNTA, BIOPOLIS, DIBAQ, SORIA NATURAL and CPCFEED in Food/Feed Technology; VLCI and HENKEL in Cosmetic Science; AITEX in Materials Science and TABU in Environmental Science). The total budget of BIOSEA is up to €4,633,447, so it is totally aligned with the range considered in the topic. It can be added that the industrial contribution will be up to €2,611,321, representing a percentage of 44% of the total budget and indicating the strong weight and involvement of the industry in the proposal. | project/european |
W1574658066 | Dermatological emergencies: a comparative study of activity in 2000 and 2010 | Studies of dermatological emergencies (DE) are few. We evaluated the activity in our DE unit in a 1-month retrospective study and compared the results with a similar study performed in the same department in 2000.We reviewed the charts of all outpatients seen in the DE unit in January 2010, collecting data on age, sex, place of residence, referral mode, day and hour of consultation, true emergency or non-emergency, diagnosis and follow-up.In January 2010, we serviced 605 patients (58% males, mean age 40 ± 21 years), 21% more than in 2000; 43.5% were seen during off-duty hours vs. 49% in 2000 (P = 0.066), 49% were considered true emergencies vs. 43% in 2000 (P = 0.046), and 14% were referred by a physician vs. 23% in 2000 (P = 0.0001). In total, 35.2% of cases were infectious dermatoses in 2010 vs. 29% in 2000 (P = 0.026). Other diagnoses were eczema, urticaria and drug-related eruptions. Follow-up was suggested to 53.3% of the patients.Our DE unit satisfies a genuine need. Its activity increased over 10 years, most likely because of the decrease in the number of dermatologists in France. Although our results are close to those reported in the literature, comparison with previously published studies is difficult because of the heterogeneity of the definition of DE. | publication |
W2216889350 | Host range of invasive Jack Beardsley mealybug, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel and Miller in Karnataka | The movement of invasive mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) which are major pests of a wide range of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plants worldwide has been documented by Muniappan (2011). As envisaged in the paper after the invasion of papaya mealybug, and Phenacoccus madeirensis (Madeira mealybug), the Jack Beardsley mealybug was recorded in India (Shylesha and Joshi, 2011, Mani et al., 2012). Certain of attributes of the Pseudococcidae, viz., wide host range, short generation time, cosmopolitan nature, ability to transmit some important plant viruses, etc., have contributed to their enormous damage potential (Meyer et al.,2008). In this regard, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel and Miller (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), known as the Jack Beardsley mealybug, a polyphagous species of neotropical origin commonly occurring in Caribbean and Central and South America, that is known to attack 93 plant species including several vegetable and fruit and ornamental crop species (CAB Intl., 2001) has entered India infesting several of crop plants. The invasive mealybug is greyish in colour; thin filaments around the body, caudal pair about one half of the length of the body, and ovisac covering hind part of the body (Williams 2004a). The presence of ovisac differentiates it from Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti). Morphological details of the P. jackbeardsleyi occurring in India are given by Mani et al., (2012). | publication |
W2528175805 | Seismic Refraction Method to Study Subsoil Structure | Seismic waves are used in many fields. It can be applied on determine subsoil structure, and materials. In this work use seismograph for the measurement seismic wave propagation velocity in the real geological (subsoil layers) medium. These investigations are applied in petroleum research institute Egypt. Predication results of subsoil layers thickness and seismic wave’s velocity analysis are obtained. The seismograph recorded receiving sample data from geophones and by “SeisImager” software is extract the final seismogram. The seismograph is dependent on Snell law for wave’s propagation. The obtain result of P and S waves of this work are the same as P and S waves references. P waves are shake ground in the direction they are propagating (longitudinal waves), and S waves are shake perpendicularly or transverse to the direction of propagation. | publication |
W2886296166 | Medical and mental disorder: Proposed definition and criteria | Abstract There was a need for a definition of mental disorder in the preparation of the Third Edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III). Decisions had to be made on a variety of issues that seemed to us to relate to the fundamental question of the boundaries of the concept of mental disorder. Without some definition of mental disorder, there would be no explicit guiding principles that would help to determine which conditions should be included in the nomenclature, which excluded, and how conditions included should be defined. This article describes a definition of and criteria for medical disorders. The definition of mental disorder proposed here is merely a subset of the definition of medical disorder, it contributes to the continuing debate concerning the appropriateness of the medical model as applied to psychiatric disturbance. The proposed definition is: “A medical disorder is a relatively distinct condition resulting from an organismic dysfunction which in its fully developed or extreme form is directly and intrinsically associated with distress, disability, or certain other types of disadvantage. The disadvantage may be of a physical, perceptual, sexual, or interpersonal nature. Implicitly there is a call for action on the part of the person who has the condition, the medical or its allied professions, and society. A mental disorder is a medical disorder whose manifestations are primarily signs or symptoms of a psychological (behavioral) nature, or if physical, can be understood only using psychological concepts”. Operational criteria are proposed to provide sufficient evidence for both an organismic dysfunction and justification for societal recognition of the appropriateness of the sick role. A condition must meet all criteria to be considered a medical disorder. Each of the criteria follows with explication of key concepts. | publication |
627802 | Uncovering ion-electron interactions in organic mixed conductors | Organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) have risen as a promising material choice for bioelectronic devices due to their low impedance, soft mechanical properties, and ability to transduce ionic signals to electronic currents. The ion-electron interactions, which are unique to mixed conductors, have been exploited to produce high performance sensors and electrophysiological recording devices. However, the fundamental interactions between ions and electrons that determine the performance of these materials is still poorly understood, impeding their translation from a research setting to commercial use. This proposal aims to address this gap in knowledge using state-of-the-art analysis of the nanoscale electronic and chemical properties to better understand the macroscale materials performance.
The proposed project consists of three central goals: (1) direct observation of nanoscale ion-electron interactions in OMIECs, (2) identifying the relationship between these interactions to OMIEC materials properties, and (3) leverage the findings to optimise next-generation bioelectronic devices. Spectroscopic scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) techniques will be used to study the spatial distribution and electronic structure of ions in OMIEC films during operation with ultra-high spatial resolution. Optical spectroscopy and electronic characterisation will be used to study the transport properties of ionic and electronic charge carriers in OMIECs. The work will be supervised by Prof. Malliaras, an expert in both fundamental physics of OMIECs and their clinical applications, Prof. Ducati, an expert in advanced multidimensional STEM techniques, and Dr. Rao, an expert in optical characterisation of organic semiconductors. The fundamental insights drawn from investigating the ion-electron interactions in OMIECs will inform the design of next-generation bioelectronic materials and devices to advance beyond the lab into commercial and clinical applications. | project/european |
W3007480684 | The intertwined facets of membrane technology for industrial effluents | Abstract During the past half-century, membrane separation technology has emerged from an academic tool to commercial industrial product. Membrane technology is a sustainable method that could tackle and render feasible solutions for the separation of various products. Today, membrane-based separation technology is burgeoning in treating industrial effluents and desalination processes. However, this field has intertwined facets of applications in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining, textile, and petrochemical industries. The wide spectrum of application in multidisciplinary research is due to its low cost and energy-efficient performance to produce high-quality products. Membrane plays a vital role in the medicinal field as artificial organs and controlled-release pharmaceuticals. This chapter discusses the existing and emerging applications of the membrane and its process in various fields. The contribution also highlights the challenges and the recent researches associated with membrane technology in treating industrial effluents. Further, future research and the innovation framework spearheaded by the powerful new wave of technologic innovations are discussed. | publication |
W2028599246 | Social responsibility and the political: studying the politics of social responsibility in institutional investment | The political aspects of social responsibility (SR) have been much debated in academia, but so far there has been little attention paid to how the political usage of SR discourse shapes everyday practices in organizations. The first purpose of this essay is to develop a framework based on post-foundational political thought and institutionalist approaches to SR in order to explain how the usage of SR discourse shapes activities in organizations. The second purpose is to demonstrate the application of this framework in order to analyse the politics of SR in institutional investment. This article first studies what kind of theoretical foci are provided by influential reviews in SR and socially responsible investment (SRI) literature. It then demonstrates, by means of a sample case study focused on Finnish pension insurance companies, how SR discourse can politically shape institutional investment practices. The findings suggest that SR discourse can politically shape investment practice by means of factors ... | publication |
interreg_1651 | Human Resources and Development Planning on both sides of Ionian Sea | The project HUREDEPIS evaluates the existing and planning regional capabilities, identifies the common problems of the involved regions related to the sustainable growth, analyzes best approaches and practices to these problems and provides specific solutions utilizing in the best way existing human resources with the important and difficult constrain of immigration movements. This project examines and proposes growth policies based on knowledge, innovation and research in agriculture, tourism, SME ‘s, services, environmental and culture sectors under the light of the realized changes in the sectoral and regional labour markets, changes to the labour force; and the structural role of immigration and the labour force movement in the development of local and sectoral policies, as also to promote knowledge, innovation and research on the areas involved. Develop and establish a permanent dialogue among all interested regional authorities and setting up permanent networks to accomplish the objectives of the project. Especially the proposed permanent network on Research and Innovation will be extensively useful to all regions of Western Greece, Epirus, Ionian Islands, South Italy and Sicily where there is a deficiency of this specific activity. Main activities of the project are the creation of networks aiming to coordinate the application of sectoral policies and for the monitoring of immigration movements and their impact, Pilot Projects for the development of cooperation in the fields of research and access to innovation and actions for dissemination, public awareness and influence central policies. As deliverables will be established networks, studies, white papers, Handbooks, diagnostic and qualitative empirical studies, survey papers, indicators and Pilot projects concerning the evaluation of existing and planning regional capabilities and practises on the designing of sectoral policies and the immigration movements and their impacts in local labor markets, Data Base, Web portal, Newsletter, Informative workshops, meetings and published Best practices/Case studies and findings. Direct beneficiaries will be the regional authorities, the local communities, the immigrants and the labour markets, and the academic and scientific communities of the regions. | project/regional |
W981292269 | Sustainable agro - fertilizers from marine plants in Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) | The effects of Climate Change are forcing farmers in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to find novel methods to maintain crop productivity and sustainability. Past practices using chemical fertilizers and poor waste management severely damaged many coastal areas, leading to an ecosystem shift towards algal dominance. A proposed approach to deal with both the loss of crop productivity and the overabundance of seaweeds in SIDS, is to devise methods that divert excess marine plant biomass into agricultural uses through the conversion of the biomass to solid and liquid fertilizers. Seaweed-based fertilizers have already been tried with much success on crops in developed nations such as the United States and in European countries, but these are very expensive to import into Pacific Islands, and beyond the means of most farmers in the region. By empowering local farming communities with the knowledge to convert locally-available marine plant biomass into sustainable, ecologically friendly agricultural fertilizers, they would be able to make economies on the purchase commercial fertilizers which are detrimental to the environment, while at the same time reducing the spread of seaweeds on their coral reefs, and boosting the production of subsistence and cash crops which will improve their food and financial security. | publication |
US 9900420 W | FILTER CIRCUITS FOR PROTECTING AGAINST TRANSIENT ELECTRICAL PULSES | An integrated circuit package having primary circuitry, an ESD protection device (14), a filter circuit (102), and a conductive lead (16) arranged to couple a point (V+) external to the integrated circuit package to a point (VF+) internal to the integrated circuit package. The ESD device, coupled in series between the conductive lead and a ground reference (20), can limit the voltage magnitude of a transient electrical pulse occurring upon the conductive lead. The filter circuit is operable such that the voltage magnitude of an electrical signal generated at the filter circuit output (VF+) is less than the voltage magnitude of the certain transient electrical pulse itself. | patent |
W1974555678 | Discrete Element Analysis for Characterizing the Patellofemoral Pressure Distribution: Model Evaluation | The current study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of computational assessment of the influence of the orientation of the patellar tendon on the patellofemoral pressure distribution. Computational models were created to represent eight knees previously tested at 40 deg, 60 deg, and 80 deg of flexion to evaluate the influence of hamstrings loading on the patellofemoral pressure distribution. Hamstrings loading increased the lateral and posterior orientation of the patellar tendon, with the change for each test determined from experimentally measured variations in tibiofemoral alignment. The patellar tendon and the cartilage on the femur and patella were represented with springs. After loading the quadriceps, the total potential energy was minimized to determine the force within the patellar tendon. The forces applied by the quadriceps and patellar tendon produced patellar translation and rotation. The deformation of each cartilage spring was determined from overlap of the cartilage surfaces on the femur and patella and related to force using linear elastic theory. The patella was iteratively adjusted until the extension moment, tilt moment, compression, and lateral force acting on the patella were in equilibrium. For the maximum pressure applied to lateral cartilage and the ratio of the lateral compression to the total compression, paired t-tests were performed at each flexion angle to determine if the output varied significantly (p < 0.05) between the two loading conditions. For both the computational and experimental data, loading the hamstrings significantly increased the lateral force ratio and the maximum lateral pressure at multiple flexion angles. For the computational data, loading the hamstrings increased the average lateral force ratio and maximum lateral pressure by approximately 0.04 and 0.3 MPa, respectively, compared to experimental increases of 0.06 and 0.4 MPa, respectively. The computational modeling technique accurately characterized variations in the patellofemoral pressure distribution caused by altering the orientation of the patellar tendon. | publication |
EP 2016071874 W | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR LOADS OF A LIGHTING SYSTEM | The invention relates to a device (14) which is configured to determine an energy consumption of loads (11-13) of a lighting system (10). The device (40) comprises a processing apparatus which is configured to determine an energy consumption of the load (11-13) on the basis of at least one control value of a load (11-13) of the lighting system (10). | patent |
W2069420808 | SU-F-BRA-04: Automatic Bladder Segmentation on CBCT for Online ART of Bladder Cancer | Purpose: Large day-to-day variations in bladder—filling hamper accurate radiotherapy of bladder cancer. To allow accurate ART for bladder cancer, automatic bladder segmentation in CBCT is required. However, image quality limitations make this a challenging task. Our aim is to develop an automatic bladder segmentation method using spherical harmonics. Methods: The method includes two steps: a statistical bladder model was built from training dataset (98 bladder contours from 8 patients) and this model was then applied to automatic bladder segmentation in an independent test dataset (110 CBCT scans from another 7 patients). 3D bladder contours were converted into parametric surface descriptions using spherical harmonic expansion. Principle component analysis (PCA) was applied in the spherical harmonic based shape parameter space to calculate the major variations of bladder shape. The number of PCA modes was chosen such that 90% variation in the training dataset was described. By changing the weight of each PCA mode, an initial contour (from the first CBCT of each patient) was deformed to obtain the best fit with the bladder edge in test image. The fit was achieved by optimizing a cost function based on the image gradient using a simplex optimizer. Results: Only 5 PCA modes were needed to represent 90% of the bladder shape variation. The mean and SD of the absolute residual error over all test dataset were 4.8mm and 3.5mm, respectively. The mean volume overlap was 76%. The agreement of plan selection between automatic and manual bladder segmentation was 71%, which was similar to human observer. Conclusions: PCA on spherical harmonics space efficiently describes bladder deformation. This segmentation approach is robust to relatively poor CBCT image quality and allows fast and automatic segmentation of bladder on CBCT with moderate accuracy. This method can potentially be used to select the appropriate plan for online ART of bladder cancer. The research was funded by Dutch Cancer Society. No conflict of interest. | publication |
W4281848319 | #ESCUTARTE: LISTENING FOR ART WITH TEENAGERS TO WORK LIFE PROJECTS IN CAPS CHILDREN | The present work refers to an experience report on the subject of Supervised Internship in Educational and Social Processes, in the Psychology Course at the University of Fortaleza, held at a Child Psychosocial Care Center, in Fortaleza/Ceará.The objective of #EscutArte was to work with psychological interventions articulating listening to adolescents with art in search of approaching their life projects.The interventions took place from March to June 2021, via remote, with weekly and individual consultations.Therefore, psychological action was possible by offering listening using art, allowing adolescents to narrate about themselves, subjective repositioning in their adolescence processes, free expression of emotions, in addition to working with demands related to their life projects. | publication |
interreg_811 | Sharing best practices and experience on data collecting and processing and involvement of users in order to improve planning of cycling and walking as modes of transport in urban and functional urban areas | During the last decade, the acknowledgement of the social and environmental costs that are connected to transport and mobility patterns based on individual motorised traffic has been consolidated and the shift towards more sustainable mobility is reflected in the policy instruments for the current programming period. Walking and cycling, and active mobility in general, are being supported to cover shorter distances, as it is normally required in urban and functional urban areas. However, people switching to active mobility have to deal with severely inadequate conditions of walking and cycling infrastructure, often unaccessible, unsafe, discontinuous and not ensuring connections from point A to B. Their characteristics are completely different in the various countries, but differences are also between neighbouring cities, due to a general lack of standards in approaches and requirements recognised and applied in the EU. Local and regional administrations - taking advantage of the funds available - are now rushing in building walking and cycling facilities, but do not fully consider all factors influencing the decision on the characteristics that the infrustructure shall have and it urgent to act. CYCLEWALK will provide an opportunity for the local and regional administrations involved to compare and share approaches and ensure more informed decision making process on walking and cycling infrastructure, with the result of increasing the share of active mobility and low carbon mobility. Through study visits, complemented with assessment walking and cycling tours, technical working tables with stakeholders, and the Urban Cycling Institute providing trainings and full technical and scientific advise to the technical offices and the regional experts and universities, the project will ensure taking up of quality criteria for proper walking and cycling infrastructure in the policy instruments and projects, implemented according to share standards. | project/regional |
W1873007276 | Particle pressure, inertial force, and ring current density profiles in the magnetosphere of Saturn, based on Cassini measurements | [1] We report initial results on the particle pressure distribution and its contribution to ring current density in the equatorial magnetosphere of Saturn, as measured by the Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument (MIMI) and the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft. Data were obtained from September 2005 to May 2006, within ±0.5 RS from the nominal magnetic equator in the range 6 to 15 RS. The analysis of particle and magnetic field measurements, the latter provided by the Cassini magnetometer (MAG), allows the calculation of average radial profiles for various pressure components in Saturn's magnetosphere. The radial gradient of the total particle pressure is compared to the inertial body force to determine their relative contribution to the Saturnian ring current, and an average radial profile of the azimuthal current intensity is deduced. The results show that: (1) Thermal pressure dominates from 6 to 9 RS, while thermal and suprathermal pressures are comparable outside 9 RS with the latter becoming larger outside 12 RS. (2) The plasma β (particle/magnetic pressure) remains ≥1 outside 8 RS, maximizing (∼3 to ∼10) between 11 and 14 RS. (3) The inertial body force and the pressure gradient are similar at 9–10 RS, but the gradient becomes larger ≥11 RS. (4) The azimuthal ring current intensity develops a maximum between approximately 8 and 12 RS, reaching values of 100–150 pA/m2. Outside this region, it drops with radial distance faster than the 1/r rate assumed by typical disk current models even though the total current is not much different to the model results. | publication |
W2336842849 | The Effect Of Macro-Economic Variables On Performance Of Real Estate Industry In Kenya. | The real estate industry plays a very important role in the economy. The industry has increasingly attracted the attention of investors in the recent past. Kenya’s real estate industry is expected to remain strong in coming years. This has not been the case and thus this study sought to establish the effects of macroeconomic variables on the performance of real estate industry in Kenya given they are key in the growth of the country’s economy. The study was carried out through a descriptive research design. The measure performance of the real estate industry was measured against the macroeconomic variables such as inflation rate, exchange rates, interest rate, Diaspora remittances and real GDP growth. Data for a period of 15 years from 2000 to 2014 was collected from publication in Hassconsult, CBK and KNBS. The study used multiple regression and correlation analysis research design. The study employed annual secondary data which was for a period of 15years 2000 to 2014. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The findings are important to various investors in the real estate industry and finance students etc. Gross domestic product, inflation, Diaspora remittances, and banks lending interest rates in that respective order established to be the macroeconomic factor that had the greatest positive effect on real estate industry performance, while exchange rate of the dollar against Kenya shilling showed a negative relationship albeit to a small extent, hence, these macro economic variables should be carefully be considered by all investors in the real estate industry. Therefore this study proves credence and confirms the researchers’ theory that the performance of real estate industry is affected by fundamental macroeconomic factors such as GDP, inflation, exchange rate, interest lending rates and Diaspora remittances. In summary therefore mentioned macroeconomic should closely monitored and taken to account by real estate industry managers since they have an effect on the overall performance of the industry. | publication |
3736328 | Bridging integrability and chaos to decipher out-of-equilibrium quantum matter | The proposal tackles fundamental open questions about out-of-equilibrium quantum matter that have recently become of experimental and technological relevance. The main objectives are: (i) Understand how, and when equilibrium statistical mechanics emerges from the coherent dynamics of closed quantum systems. (ii) Explain the fundamental mathematical structure underlying universal dynamical features. I will address these issues by developing an overarching description of finite-time dynamics based on integrable and chaotic systems. The idea is to characterise quantitatively the dynamics by pinpointing paradigmatic exactly solvable models. The exact solutions of these models will also help to elaborate new analytical and numerical techniques. The proposal encompasses two main parts: WP1-2. WP1 is devoted to integrable systems. These are systems with a macroscopic number of local conservation laws. They play a key role in understanding out-of-equilibrium quantum matter because their dynamics is sufficiently constrained to be, to some extent, solvable. I will devise a general method for describing their large but finite time dynamics. In particular, I will characterise their approach to the asymptotic (generalized) hydrodynamic regime which I recently helped to identify. WP2 focusses on maximally chaotic systems, i.e. systems without local conservation laws. These systems are interesting because are able to model several generic dynamical features. I will characterise the maximally-chaotic dynamics in any spatial dimension using “dual-unitary quantum circuits”, a class of solvable periodically-driven systems that my collaborators and I recently introduced. | project/european |
646008 | Engineering pores for sustainable catalytic olefins upgrading | This fellowship aims at establishing the researcher as an expert in the field of heterogeneous catalysis—becoming an independent leader researcher in the EU—through interdisciplinary scientific (e.g., chemical engineering, organic and inorganic chemistry, materials and surface science) and transferable skills training (e.g., project management). The researcher, Dr. Jorge Quesada, will join the LSAC research group at UC Berkeley (USA) under the supervision of Prof. Enrique Iglesia, and will be reintegrated (EU) into the CRC research group at the Universidad de Oviedo (Spain) under the supervision of Prof. Salvador Ordóñez.
Recent findings in LSAC have demonstrated that both the catalytic stability and selectivity in the alkene dimerization on Ni-based sites are enhanced when the transition states of the elementary steps are solvated by non-polar liquids. The liquid phase is formed at the reaction temperature by capillary condensation of the solvent molecules within the pores of the material used as the active sites support. This project proposes to augment the understanding of the solvation effects on the alkene dimerization on Co-based sites—by building knowledge on their kinetic and mechanistic consequences through a mixed-methods approach—and translational research that leverages these results to other similar C-C bond forming reactions of alkenes—metathesis and hydroarylation on Mo- and Ni-based sites, respectively. This technology strategy would allow the combination of ethene dimerization and metathesis resulting in an industrial one-pot ethene-to-propene process of significant potential impact—the project engages an industrial collaborator by an intersectoral secondment. This research is likely to provide a novel versatile technology for the production of value-added olefins and related chemicals, with promising applications in the current oil industry and, especially, in future biorefineries; therefore, having a positive impact on the EU society and competitiveness. | project/european |
W1997099807 | Effects of Repeated Concentric and Eccentric Contractions on Tendon Blood Circulation | Previous studies demonstrated that treatment involving eccentric training was effective in the conservative management of chronic tendinosis. However, the mechanisms for these phenomena are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in blood circulation of the tendons after the repeated concentric and eccentric contractions. 11 healthy males volunteered for this study. Subjects performed the repeated concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) contractions (5 sets of 10 maximal voluntary contractions) of the plantar flexors. During and after repeated contractions, oxyhemoglobin (Oxy), deoxyhemoglobin (Deoxy), total hemoglobin (THb), and oxygen saturation (StO2) of the Achilles tendons were measured using red laser lights. Oxy and THb increased during and after ECC, but not CON. Deoxy decreased during both CON and ECC. Increase in StO2 during and after ECC was greater than that during and after CON. These results suggested that changes in blood circulation of the Achilles tendon during and after repeated eccentric contractions were more remarkable than those during and after repeated concentric contractions. | publication |
W2010308499 | Identifying Predictors of Activity Based Anorexia Susceptibility in Diverse Genetic Rodent Populations | Animal studies are very useful in detection of early disease indicators and in unravelling the pathophysiological processes underlying core psychiatric disorder phenotypes. Early indicators are critical for preventive and efficient treatment of progressive psychiatric disorders like anorexia nervosa. Comparable to physical hyperactivity observed in anorexia nervosa patients, in the activity-based anorexia rodent model, mice and rats express paradoxical high voluntary wheel running activity levels when food restricted. Eleven inbred mouse strains and outbred Wistar WU rats were exposed to the activity-based anorexia model in search of identifying susceptibility predictors. Body weight, food intake and wheel running activity levels of each individual mouse and rat were measured. Mouse strains and rats with high wheel running activity levels during food restriction exhibited accelerated body weight loss. Linear mixed models for repeated measures analysis showed that baseline wheel running activity levels preceding the scheduled food restriction phase strongly predicted activity-based anorexia susceptibility (mice: Beta = -0.0158 (±0.003 SE), P<0.0001; rats: Beta = -0.0242 (±0.004 SE), P<0.0001) compared to other baseline parameters. These results suggest that physical activity levels play an important role in activity-based anorexia susceptibility in different rodent species with genetically diverse background. These findings support previous retrospective studies on physical activity levels in anorexia nervosa patients and indicate that pre-morbid physical activity levels could reflect an early indicator for disease severity. | publication |
W2094232751 | The MOVE study: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial assessing interventions to maximise attendance at physical activity facilities | Physical activity is associated with a host of health benefits, yet many individuals do not perform sufficient physical activity to realise these benefits. One approach to rectifying this situation is through modifying the built environment to make it more conducive to physical activity, such as by building walking tracks or recreational physical activity facilities. Often, however, modifications to the built environment are not connected to efforts aimed at encouraging their use. The purpose of the Monitoring and Observing the Value of Exercise (MOVE) study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two interventions designed to encourage the ongoing use of a new, multi-purpose, community-based physical activity facility.A two-year, randomised controlled trial with yearly survey points (baseline, 12 months follow-up, 24 months follow-up) will be conducted among 1,300 physically inactive adult participants aged 18-70 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, intervention 1 (attendance incentives), or intervention 2 (attendance incentives and tailored support following a model based on customer relationship management). Primary outcome measures will include facility usage, physical activity participation, mental and physical wellbeing, community connectedness, social capital, friendship, and social support. Secondary outcome measures will include stages of change for facility usage and social cognitive decision-making variables.This study will assess whether customer relationship management systems, a tool commonly used in commercial marketing settings, can encourage the ongoing use of a physical activity facility. Findings may also indicate the population segments among which the use of such systems are most effective, as well as their cost-effectiveness.Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000012572 (registered 9 January 2015). | publication |
US 9924105 W | FIGURE EIGHT MOVEMENT OF SPRAY GUN | A figure eight mechanism (12) moves a thermal spray gun (22) over a substrate (26) such that the deposit (27) pattern has a figure eight configuration. The mechanism (12) and thereby the thermal spray gun (22) and the pattern are traversed along the substrate (26). The mechanism (12) is such that, when driven by an input drive of constant speed, the deposit travels along the configuration at a non-uniform velocity. A drive system (16) provides an input drive with varying speed so as to reduce the non-uniformity of the velocity. In one aspect a motor (52) has varying speed, and in another aspect a linkage (54) between a constant speed motor (52) and the mechanism (12) provides the varying speed. | patent |
W2318280593 | Application of Selected Quantitative Analysis Methods in the Design of an Ergonomic System | Abstract The article discusses the application of selected methods for analyzing value in the macroergonomic design of manufacturing systems for developing optimal working conditions for humans and optimal ways to utilize technical machinery and equipment. The selected value analysis method was used to assess the value of factors contributing to the occurrence of hazards at the workstations used by screw injection mold operators employed in a plastics processing company. The authors chose to focus on such positions as they pose the biggest threat to human life and health. An analysis relying on the Pareto method (ABC) helped define the optimization tasks as well as the degree of validity and mitigation of the assessed hazards. The conclusions present a model for adopting changes and improvements in the process of redesigning the macroergonomic system to create optimal working conditions in the company in question. | publication |
W4221018164 | Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Miss Rate of Colorectal Neoplasia | Artificial intelligence (AI) may detect colorectal polyps that have been missed due to perceptual pitfalls. By reducing such miss rate, AI may increase the detection of colorectal neoplasia leading to a higher degree of colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention.Patients undergoing CRC screening or surveillance were enrolled in 8 centers (Italy, UK, US), and randomized (1:1) to undergo 2 same-day, back-to-back colonoscopies with or without AI (deep learning computer aided diagnosis endoscopy) in 2 different arms, namely AI followed by colonoscopy without AI or vice-versa. Adenoma miss rate (AMR) was calculated as the number of histologically verified lesions detected at second colonoscopy divided by the total number of lesions detected at first and second colonoscopy. Mean number of lesions detected in the second colonoscopy and proportion of false negative subjects (no lesion at first colonoscopy and at least 1 at second) were calculated. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adjusted by endoscopist, age, sex, and indication for colonoscopy. Adverse events were also measured.A total of 230 subjects (116 AI first, 114 standard colonoscopy first) were included in the study analysis. AMR was 15.5% (38 of 246) and 32.4% (80 of 247) in the arm with AI and non-AI colonoscopy first, respectively (adjusted OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23-0.62). In detail, AMR was lower for AI first for the ≤5 mm (15.9% vs 35.8%; OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.21-0.55) and nonpolypoid lesions (16.8% vs 45.8%; OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.13-0.43), and it was lower both in the proximal (18.3% vs 32.5%; OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.26-0.78) and distal colon (10.8% vs 32.1%; OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.11-0.57). Mean number of adenomas at second colonoscopy was lower in the AI-first group as compared with non-AI colonoscopy first (0.33 ± 0.63 vs 0.70 ± 0.97, P < .001). False negative rates were 6.8% (3 of 44 patients) and 29.6% (13 of 44) in the AI and non-AI first arms, respectively (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.05-0.67). No difference in the rate of adverse events was found between the 2 groups.AI resulted in an approximately 2-fold reduction in miss rate of colorectal neoplasia, supporting AI-benefit in reducing perceptual errors for small and subtle lesions at standard colonoscopy.gov, Number: NCT03954548. | publication |
interreg_3509 | MED Sha.p.e.s. Sharing prior excellence and support for the MED creative asset | Shapes is focused on the excellences of the Knowledge/Creative Economy in the MEDarea. In this area are concentrated in fact the most appreciated talents/brands/know-hows worldwide. The creative asset directly or indirectly produces cultural products and includes not only commercial/production/service enterprises but also artists, public and non-profit organizations. For this reason Shapes is also dealing with the governance theme. In fact the so-called creative cluster cuts across multiple economic and institutional sectors and competences and does not constitute a cohesive sector in the traditional sense of a productive cluster. For Shapes, we have defined a double target: 1. public relevance: institutions, and social parts 2. private relevance: economic actors, categorized in 3 broad groups: - Arts and Culture - Design - Media In all these sectors and in decision-making processes, the partnership implements actions of: knowledge /technology sharing and capacity and awareness rise. Sha.p.e.s. capitalizes tools, experiences, models and results of 10 projects (ended or still on going) dealing with innovation and creativity and their governance. Shapes intends further to: - create a common toolbox of all available online tools running in a Sha.p.e.s. Resource Centre. - share and transfer consolidated methodologies and services as innovation drivers - create a common operating model for assessing territorial innovation potential and for boosting the promotion of innovation policies and creative businesses. The 13 partners of this project come from: Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, France. It is a multilevel partnership. In fact the participating organizations are representing the business service providers, the public authorities and their associations, the research and academic centres. This variety of subjects assures the project's sustainability because the creative and innovative process is fed by the mutual interest in collaborating of active regional actors. | project/regional |
W4200158019 | Nivolumab versus sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (CheckMate 459): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial | Single-agent nivolumab showed durable responses, manageable safety, and promising survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in the phase 1-2 CheckMate 040 study. We aimed to investigate nivolumab monotherapy compared with sorafenib monotherapy in the first-line setting for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.In this randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial done at medical centres across 22 countries and territories in Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North America, patients at least 18 years old with histologically confirmed advanced hepatocellular carcinoma not eligible for, or whose disease had progressed after, surgery or locoregional treatment; with no previous systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, with Child-Pugh class A and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1, and regardless of viral hepatitis status were randomly assigned (1:1) via an interactive voice response system to receive nivolumab (240 mg intravenously every 2 weeks) or sorafenib (400 mg orally twice daily) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was overall survival assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This completed trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02576509.Between Jan 11, 2016, and May 24, 2017, 743 patients were randomly assigned to treatment (nivolumab, n=371; sorafenib, n=372). At the primary analysis, the median follow-up for overall survival was 15·2 months (IQR 5·7-28·0) for the nivolumab group and 13·4 months (5·7-25·9) in the sorafenib group. Median overall survival was 16·4 months (95% CI 13·9-18·4) with nivolumab and 14·7 months (11·9-17·2) with sorafenib (hazard ratio 0·85 [95% CI 0·72-1·02]; p=0·075; minimum follow-up 22·8 months); the protocol-defined significance level of p=0·0419 was not reached. The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events were palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia (1 [<1%] of 367 patients in the nivolumab group vs 52 [14%] of patients in the sorafenib group), aspartate aminotransferase increase (22 [6%] vs 13 [4%]), and hypertension (0 vs 26 [7%]). Serious treatment-related adverse events were reported in 43 (12%) patients receiving nivolumab and 39 (11%) patients receiving sorafenib. Four deaths in the nivolumab group and one death in the sorafenib group were assessed as treatment related.First-line nivolumab treatment did not significantly improve overall survival compared with sorafenib, but clinical activity and a favourable safety profile were observed in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, nivolumab might be considered a therapeutic option for patients in whom tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antiangiogenic drugs are contraindicated or have substantial risks.Bristol Myers Squibb in collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical. | publication |
Q4761531 | GROUP NAME S.R.L. | THE PICK-UP PROJECT WILL IMPLEMENT AND VALIDATE INNOVATIVE, OPEN AND SCALABLE METHODS AND TOOLS FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND REDUCTION OF CONSUMPTION IN HETEROGENEOUS URBAN DISTRICTS, INTEGRATING: IOT SENSOR NETWORKS AND FOG COMPUTING; NEW METHODOLOGIES FOR MODELLING AND ANALYSIS OF ENERGY DATA AND PREDICTIVE CONTROL; INNOVATIVE MODELS FOR AGGREGATION AND INTEGRATION OF DISTRIBUTED POWER GENERATION AND DEMAND SOURCES (DEMAND RESPONSE, SMART MICROGRID). | project/regional |
W2169280079 | An EGF-based methodology for predicting compatible seismograms in the spectral domain using GA technique | SUMMARY
The main objective of this paper is to present a methodology for predicting spectrum compatible seismograms at sites where main shock is not recorded by other sites from which the main event has been observed using recorded aftershocks. The genetic algorithm and multitaper method are employed to minimize differences between the calculated synthetic seismogram and observed data. The multitaper spectrum approach being used permits the reduction of spectral leakage providing the possibility of matching the Fourier spectral amplitudes corresponding to synthetic and observed waveforms. The proposed technique is applied to the 2006 Silakhor earthquake (Mw= 6.1, Iran) as a case study. The six component waveforms (L, T and V) at two stations were simulated by minimizing errors between the synthetic response spectra, the Fourier spectral amplitudes and those of the observed. The results are shown to be in a good agreement with those of the observed data.
The three components of waveforms at the other three stations were predicted incorporating the calculated parameters. The validity of the technique is proven through demonstrating good agreement of the response spectra and Fourier spectral amplitudes corresponding to the predicted and observed seismograms at other three stations. It is concluded that, the methodology is applicable for predicting realistic acceleration time histories to be used in seismic performance evaluation of existing structures in the region under study. | publication |
W2058743687 | Biomedical Techniques in Context: On the Appropriation of Biomedical Procedures and Artifacts | On the assumption that technical practices and artifacts are fundamental constituents of individual and collective attempts to order lives and bodies in health and sickness, in this introduction, we set out three central propositions. First, medical techniques have to take center stage in research on biomedicine. Second, as medical artifacts travel worldwide, they become part of the processes of sociocultural appropriation. Third, anthropologists have to consider how to study the transformations associated with such appropriation and how much they need to know about the technical aspects of their objects of study. The mutual transformative potential of both biomedical artifacts and practices and the new contexts of application have so far been undertheorized in medical anthropology--a gap that we aim to close with our reflections and the collection of empirical studies of various biomedical techniques in this issue. | publication |
US 0226578 W | MAINTENANCE ALERT SYSTEM FOR HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS | A real-time maintenance alert system for use in a heavy duty truck having an engine including an engine controller having a communications data link is provided. The system includes an engine item sensor and a non-engine item sensor. Control logic at the engine controller produces an output signal at the data link in response to the presence of an engine item real-time fault condition. A display device transmits and receives information over the data link, and processes the control logic output signal. The display device generates an output signal indicative of the engine item status. Further, the display device directly receives and processes the non-engine item sensor output signal, and generates an output signal indicative of the non-engine item status. | patent |
W1534312022 | An Energy-Efficient Concurrency Control Algorithm for Mobile Ad-Hoc Network Databases | MANET does not require any fixed infrastructure, thus it fits well in disaster rescue and military operations. However, when a node has no or insufficient energy to function, communication may fail, disconnections may happen, and transactions may be aborted if they are time-critical and miss their deadlines. Energy-efficient transaction management becomes an important issue in MANET database applications. In this paper, we propose an energyefficient concurrency control (CC) algorithm for MANET databases in a clustered network architecture where nodes are divided into clusters, each of which has a node, called cluster head, responsible for the processing of all nodes in the cluster. In our algorithm, in order to conserve energy and balance the energy consumption among servers, we elect cluster heads to work as coordinating servers, and propose an optimistic CC algorithm to offer high concurrency and avoid wasting limited system resources. The simulation results confirm that our technique performs better than existing techniques. | publication |
Q4192012 | ON THE WAY... OF THE ABBEY | THE PROJECT FORESEES THE RENOVATION OF A BUILDING FOR LIMPLEMENTATION OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION IN AN AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURALISTIC VALUE; THE BUILDING IS PART OF A VAST PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES A HOTEL WITH RESTAURANT-BAR (HOTEL RESTAURANT CONCA AZZURRA). THE BUILDING IS LOCATED 50 METERS FROM THE ALBERGO AND WILL THEREFORE BE MANAGED UNDER A SINGLE DIRECTION (HOTEL DIFFUSE).LIMMOBILE Š LOCATED IN THE HAMLET OF OLGIASCA, PANORAMIC PENINSULA KNOWN FOR THE PRESENCE OF PIONA, FAMOUS CISTERCIAN ABBEY, FROM WHICH LÂALBERGO IS 1 KM AWAY. THIS ABBEY IS ONE OF THE TOURIST PECULIARITIES OF COLICO, VISITED ANNUALLY BY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS WHO REACH THE STRUCTURE BY LAND BY CAR OR TRAIL OR BY LAKE (BOAT OR TAXIBUS). ÂTHE ARCHITECTURAL COMPLEX CONSTITUTING THE PRIORY OF PIONA, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE ABBEY OF PIONA, IS LOCATED ON THE BANKS OF LAKE COMO IN THE TERRITORY OF CO | project/regional |
W2086794336 | Not all that's new and shiny is good for healthcare | Concern has been growing about the use of metal on metal hip implants. In its 2011 report, the National Joint Registry for England and Wales identified problems including higher revision rates compared with more traditional ceramic or polyethylene implants ( BMJ 2011;343:d5977). A BMJ investigation by Deborah Cohen asked why it took so long for one metal on metal implant, the ASR, to be withdrawn, highlighting denials and delays by the manufacturer and failings in the regulation of medical devices ( BMJ 2011;342:d2905).
This week we publish a systematic review of research into the safety and effectiveness of hip implants. Art Sedrakyan and colleagues conclude that the evidence is inadequate, but what … | publication |
interreg_3155 | Network for the Sustainability and Competitiveness of Regions | DESCRIPTION The project S.CO.RE.–Net focuses on integrated natural and cultural resources management. Taking sustainable tourism as a cornerstone – also strongly connected with critical “neighbour sectors” -, the project aims to develop and test a coherent – integrated – mechanism for rational planning and implementation of initiatives for improving local products’ competitiveness and marketability. It will emphasize to collaboration and leading role of local Actors, and to transnational networking and joint action. The integrated and sustainable management of cultural and natural resources lies right at the centre of the S.CO.RE. – Net, which seeks to satisfy needs of several ARCHIMED areas. The axes, around which the project action will be deployed (and the relevant goals), are: o Focus on sustainable tourism industry and products, that are taken as main factor for rapid, polycentric and harmonized growth at the territorial/regional level, with a high potential for leveraging the whole developmental process and for “pulling ahead” other, relative sectors’ products (sustainable food products, cultural products, handicrafts etc.); consequently, these “tourism connected sectors and products” are also targeted. o Animation and involvement of significant regional/territorial Actors, in establishing and managing integrated initiatives (clusters or others) aiming to sustainable development; in fact, this joint contribution – and the leading role - of such Actors (constituting a bottom up approach to sustainability) is one of the major elements of the project’s concept. o Development of transterritorial transnational cooperations in the frame of viable Networks, providing extensive know–how and expertise, as well as potential for effective joint business/marketing action at international level. o Amelioration of territorial product’s competitiveness, through: 1. Improvement of quality and assurance of “Terms of Origin”, meaning complete monitoring and control in all steps of production and distribution, even when various enterprises participate in the process. 2. Consecration of a territorial/transterritorial “Identity”, granted to products of the territories involved, through which they will be acknowledged as “qualified products” - conforming to specific standards and to the “terms of origin” -, representing their producing territories. 3. Development – adaptation – incorporation of cognitive methods, practices and means of the project’s fields of interest (territorial marketing, quality management, sustainable development and natural and cultural heritage’s treatment, regional development, clustering/networking, ICT, etc.). The Integrated mechanism that will be developed and practiced will include all aforementioned elements, providing a synthetic, systemic and systematic approach (supported by a bouquet of innovative, effective and complementary tools) in conceptualising, implementing and managing territorial level interventions serving sustainable development. | project/regional |
223099 | Aerial insights: facilitating access to aerial drone imagery services through novel and cost-effective data analytics solutions | Aerial Insights is a software company based in Spain whose main focus is on the development and operation of imaging services with drones. Created in 2015 by a team of experienced and successful entrepreneurs, the company launched its new platform in 2016 to provide drone operators an affordable and innovative solution to extract drone imagery information from aerial data. Drones are becoming more and more popular and rapidly growing throughout the world. Today, they are used in multiple professional environments ranging from agriculture, insurance, mining industry to aerial photography and monitoring. According to recent PWC study, the expected business and services associated to drones will represent 127B USD globally. Among these services, drones equipped with cameras and other sensors (aerial photography) will play the most important role. Processing drone data with existing solutions is today cost-prohibitive. Data processing indeed requires expensive software and hardware as well expertise in multiple highly technical areas. Overall, we estimate an investment of 25K/year is required for physical resources, software and man hours to establish and provide services. Available at an average retail price €29,99 per map since 2016, Aerial Insights is based on a unique cloud platform and set of artificial intelligence algorithms where drone pilots can upload aerial raw imagery (step 1), select the outputs needed depending on the type of sensors onboard (step 2) and receive the relevant information on a secured online account within a few hours (step 3). This new approach is faster, cheaper and more reliable. For example, Aerial Insights reduces the timeframe required to diagnose and pinpoint faulty cells in a solar farm from 2-4 weeks (using traditional solutions) to 1-2 days. Regarding the mining industry, several weeks of work of a land surveyor can be replaced by a 15-minute flight and a couple of hours of processing. | project/european |
EP 2013061810 W | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDIVIDUALIZING SECURITY DOCUMENTS | The invention relates to a method for individualizing a security document (90, 80), comprising the steps of providing a document blank (10; 110), wherein the document blank (10; 110) comprises a lamination body (11); providing a digital printing device (120); printing on at least one outer surface (19) of the lamination body (11) by means of the digital printing device (120) by means of at least one preparation in order to introduce individualization information (18) into the lamination body (11); wherein the document blank (10; 110) having a lamination body (11) is provided, which at least in an individualization region (17) in an outer material layer (13) adjacent to the at least one outer surface (19) has a plurality of perforation openings (14) that penetrate the outer material layer (13) to an information layer (15), and the individualization information (18) is printed onto the outer surface (19) in such a way that at least some (18-1) of the individualization information (18) is printed onto the information layer (15) through the perforation openings (14). The invention further relates to a system (100) for individualizing documents, comprising: one or more document blanks (110) having a lamination body (11); a digital printing device (120), wherein the lamination body (11) has a material layer (13) adjacent to an outside (19) and having perforation openings (14), which penetrate said outer layer (13) adjacent to the outer surface (19) to an information layer (15), and the printing device (120) is designed in such a way that at least some (18-1) of the individualization information (18) is printed onto the information layer (15) through the perforation openings (14). | patent |