Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Road course estimation using deep learning on radar data

One of the most fundamental tasks in autonomous driving is the recognition of the road ahead. Using radar data, this is usually done via rule based algorithms. This paper proposes a deep learning approach to estimate the course of the ego lane based on occupancy grids generated by radar sensors. The method is also able to simultaneously give a reliability measurement of the predicted driving path. An automatic labeling process is engaged by utilizing the known ego pose of the vehicle obtained by a high precision positioning sensor. Due to its automated labeling process, learning data can be built up very cost efficiently.
Selektivität bei der Einlösung von Bildungsgutscheinen

"Seit dem Jahr 2003 wird der Zugang in Masnahmen der beruflichen Weiterbildung durch die Arbeitsagentur uber die Vergabe von Bildungsgutscheinen gesteuert. Diese Studie diskutiert zunachst aus theoretischer Sicht die Prozesse bei der Vergabe und Einlosung. Sie legt zudem erste Befunde zu der Frage vor, welche Arbeitslosen die erhaltenen Bildungsgutscheine tatsachlich eingelost haben. Grundlage der Untersuchung ist eine - hier erstmalig durchgefuhrte - Verknupfung der originaren Geschaftsdaten der Bundesagentur fur Arbeit zu Bildungsgutscheinen mit Forschungsdaten des IAB, den Integrierten Erwerbsbiographien (IEB). Probit-Schatzungen zeigen, dass insbesondere Gruppen mit schlechten Arbeitsmarktchancen - z. B. Arbeitslose mit geringer Qualifikation - den Bildungsgutschein mit vergleichsweise geringer Wahrscheinlichkeit einlosen, um an einer Weiterbildungsmasnahme teilzunehmen. Ursachen hierfur konnen auf Seiten der Anbieter von Bildungsmasnahmen als auch auf Seiten der Arbeitnehmer liegen. " (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)
Femtosecond-laser ablation dynamics of dielectrics: basics and applications for thin films

Laser ablation of dielectrics by ultrashort laser pulses is reviewed. The basic interaction between ultrashort light pulses and the dielectric material is described, and different approaches to the modeling of the femtosecond ablation dynamics are reviewed. Material excitation by ultrashort laser pulses is induced by a combination of strong-field excitation (multi-photon and tunnel excitation), collisional excitation (potentially leading to an avalanche process), and absorption in the plasma consisting of the electrons excited to the conduction band. It is discussed how these excitation processes can be described by various rate-equation models in combination with different descriptions of the excited electrons. The optical properties of the highly excited dielectric undergo a rapid change during the laser pulse, which must be included in a detailed modeling of the excitations. The material ejected from the dielectric following the femtosecond-laser excitation can potentially be used for thin-film deposition. The deposition rate is typically much smaller than that for nanosecond lasers, but film production by femtosecond lasers does possess several attractive features. First, the strong-field excitation makes it possible to produce films of materials that are transparent to the laser light. Second, the highly localized excitation reduces the emission of larger material particulates. Third, lasers with ultrashort pulses are shown to be particularly useful tools for the production of nanocluster films. The important question of the film stoichiometry relative to that of the target will be thoroughly discussed in relation to the films reported in the literature.
An InGaAs/InP quantum well finfet using the replacement fin process integrated in an RMG flow on 300mm Si substrates

InGaAs FinFETs fabricated by an unique Si fin replacement process have been demonstrated on 300mm Si substrates. The devices are integrated by process modules developed for a Si-IIIV hybrid 300mm R&D pilot line, compatible for future CMOS high-volume manufacturing. First devices with a SS of 190 mV/dec and extrinsic gm of 558 μS/μm are achieved for an EOT of 1.9nm, Lg of 50nm and fin width of 55nm. A trade-off between off state leakage and mobility for different p-type doping levels of the InP and InGaAs layers is found and the RMG high-κ last processing is demonstrated to offer significant performance improvements over that of high-κ first.
The Qualitative Problem of Major Quotation Errors, as Illustrated by 10 Different Examples in the Headache Literature

There are two types of errors when references are used in the scientific literature: citation errors and quotation errors, and these errors have in reviews mainly been evaluated quantitatively. Quotation errors are the major problem, and 1 review reported 6% major quotation errors. The objective of this listing of quotation errors is to illustrate by qualitative analysis of different types of 10 major quotation errors how and possibly why authors misquote references.
Market impact and trading protocols of hidden orders in stock markets

Esteban Moro, 2 Javier Vicente, Luis G. Moyano, Austin Gerig, J. Doyne Farmer, 4 Gabriella Vaglica, Fabrizio Lillo, 5, 6 and Rosario N. Mantegna 6 Instituto de Ciencias Matemáticas CSIC-UAM-UC3M-UCM, Madrid, Spain Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos (GISC) and Departamento de Matemáticas, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, E-28911, Leganés (Madrid), Spain Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501 LUISS Guido Carli, Viale Pola 12, 00198, Roma, Italy Dipartimento di Fisica e Tecnologie Relative, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, I-90128 Palermo, Italy CNR-INFM-SOFT, Roma, Italy
English Square minuscule script: the mid-century phases

I propose here to continue my exploration and survey of the history of that quintessentially tenth-century script form, English Square minuscule. Since 1987, when my account of the background and earliest phases of the script was published in this journal, new material and new thinking have encouraged continued investigations into Anglo-Saxon script of the 930s and the use of Square minuscule at Canterbury in particular. These factors must serve as a justification for taking a further look at Phase II before proceeding to a preliminary and provisional account of the styles of the 940s, 950s and early 960s. This is a self-contained era which concludes with the origination and propagation of Anglo-Caroline script. The closing phases of Square minuscule will have to await treatment in a third instalment of this essay, as will consideration of some of the larger issues advertised in 1987. However, since it is critically intertwined with the mid-century phases of script history, I shall discuss here (as promised at the outset) the role of the royal chancery in calligraphic developments.
Gastrointestinal Hormones, Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolic Homeostasis in Obese Patients: Effect of Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIM Bariatric surgery has proven efficacy in the modulation of a number of gut peptides that can contribute to improvement of diabetes and its associated metabolic changes. In order to evaluate dietary intake, nutritional assessment and plasma levels of gastrointestinal peptides, we enrolled severely obese patients before and after bariatric surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated food intake, plasma levels of peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like peptide-1/2 (GLP-1/2), ghrelin (GHR), orexin (ORE) and cholecystokinin (CCK), body composition and fecal microbiota in 28 severely obese patients and 28 healthy normal-weight controls. All parameters were evaluated at 0 time and 6 months after bariatric surgery. RESULTS In obese patients we found a higher intake of nutrients, a decrease of free fat mass and an increase of BMI (body mass index), a significant decrease of GLP-1 and an increase of GLP-2, GHR and PYY with respect to controls, further increase in GLP-2, GHR and PYY, as well as increase over control values of GLP-1 after bariatric surgery. Obese individuals were found to harbor a community dominated by members of the Clostridial clusters XIVa and IV, whereas prominent bands after surgery were identified as Lactobacillus crispatus and Megasphaera elsdenii-related phylotype. CONCLUSION The beneficial effects of bariatric surgery may at least in part be accounted for changes in circulating gastrointestinal (GI) peptides and fecal microbiota.
Safety evaluation of daidzein in laying hens: Effects on laying performance, hatchability, egg quality, clinical blood parameters, and organ development

&NA; Daidzein has become increasingly popular as a dietary supplement, particularly for postpeak‐estrus animals, as a safe and natural alternative estrogen‐like compound. However, there is little available safety data of daidzein in laying hens. A study was conducted to examine if high‐dose daidzein affected the safety of hens, including mortality, laying performance, egg quality, hematological parameters, clinical chemical parameters, organ development parameters, and hatchability. A total of 2,448 42‐wk‐old Rugao laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 6 replicates of 102 birds each (612 laying hens per group). After a 2‐wk acclimation period, the birds were fed diets supplemented with 0, 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg of daidzein for 12 wk. The hatchability of setting eggs increased linearly with increasing dietary daidzein supplementation (P = 0.034), while the hatchability of fertile eggs also tended to increase linearly (P = 0.069). The red cell distribution width (RCDW) and coefficient variation of RCDW showed an increasing and then decreasing quadratic response to increasing dietary daidzein supplementation (P = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). No statistically significant changes were observed in mortality, laying performance, egg quality, clinical chemistry parameters, or organ development parameters (P > 0.05). The magnitude of these hematological changes was such that they were considered to be of no toxicological significance. Therefore, a nominal daidzein concentration of 200 mg/kg is not expected to cause adverse effects following daily administration to laying hens for 84 d.
A hybrid least squares QR-lattice algorithm using a priori errors

This paper presents a new minimal and backward stable QR-LSL algorithm obtained through the proper interpretation of the system matrix that describes the adaptation and filtering operations of QR-RLS algorithms. The new algorithm is based on a priori prediction errors normalized by the a posteriori prediction error energy-as suggested by the interpretation of the system matrix-and uses the fact that the latter quantities can be computed via a lattice structure. Backward consistency and backward stability become guaranteed under simple numerical conventions. In contrast with the known a posteriori QR-LSL algorithm, the new algorithm present; fewer numerical complexity, and backward consistency is guaranteed without the constraint of passive rotations in the recursive lattice section. Furthermore, reordering of some operations results in a version with identical numerical behavior and inherent parallelism that can be exploited for fast implementations. Both a priori and a posteriori QR-LSL algorithms are compared by means of simulations. For small mantissa wordlengths and forgetting factors /spl lambda/ not too close to 1, the proposed algorithm performs better due to dispensing with passive rotations. For forgetting factors very close to one and small wordlengths, both algorithms are sensitive to the accuracy of some well-identified computations.
Power or Plenty

Does the dramatic rise of the number of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) worldwide make economic sanctions more likely through increasing the leverage of the powerful and pitting states against each other in competition (power) or less likely through increasing the benefits of trade, resolving disputes, and promoting like-minded communities (plenty)? The authors offer the first systematic test of these propositions, testing hypotheses on sanctions onset using a data set of episodes from 1947 through 2000. In favor of the plenty argument, increases in bilateral trade do decrease sanctioning behavior; in favor of the power argument, an increase in the potential sanctioner's GDP or centrality in the network of all PTAs make sanctioning much more likely. However, mutual membership in PTAs has no direct effect on the propensity of states to sanction each other.
Agent behaviors in virtual negotiation environments

A computational prototype of negotiation behavior is presented where the following occurs: (1) agents employ different concession matching tactics; (2) agents are unaware of opponent preferences; (3) agents incur a cost for delaying settlements; (4) agents vary in terms of goal difficulty and initial offer magnitude; and (5) demands and counter-offers are made and evaluated based on the opponent's degree of concession matching. This research explores the impact of the interaction of different agent behaviors on the negotiation process and the outcome of the negotiation. Simulation experiments show that the prototype is able to manifest fundamental patterns and confirms the effectiveness of classical negotiation and mediation strategies, such as ambitious goals and aggressive concession matching tactics. The model reveals some counterintuitive patterns that may shed a new perspective on the effects of time constraints and information availability.
Influence of volume of sample processed on detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital samples by PCR

In the present study, it was demonstrated that the sensitivity of the PCR for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis is influenced by the volume of the clinical sample which is processed in the PCR. An adequate sensitivity for PCR was established by processing at least 4%, i.e., 80 microliters, of the clinical sample volume per PCR. By using this preparation procedure, 1,110 clinical samples were evaluated by PCR and by cell culture, and results were compared. After discordant analysis, cell culture resulted in a sensitivity of 79.1% and PCR resulted in a sensitivity of 92.7%. Furthermore, it was shown that treatment with antibiotics immediately resulted in negative cell culture results but that PCR could give positive results up to 2 weeks posttreatment.
An unusual case of right ventricular dilatation

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that risk factors may be differently related to severity of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), with ST elevation used as a marker of severe ACS. Design: Cross sectional study of patients with ACS. Setting: 103 hospitals in 25 countries in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Patients: 10 253 patients with a discharge diagnosis of ACS in the Euro heart survey of ACS. Main outcome measures: Presenting with ST elevation ACS. Results: Patients with ACS who were smokers had an increased risk to present with ST elevation (age adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67 to 2.02). Hypertension (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.70) and high body mass index (BMI) (p for trend 0.0005) were associated with less ST elevation ACS. Diabetes mellitus was also associated with less ST elevation, but only among men. Prior disease (infarction, chronic angina, revascularisation) and treatment with aspirin, β blockers, or statins before admission were also associated with less ST elevation. After adjustment for age, sex, prior disease, and prior medication, smoking was still significantly associated with increased risk of ST elevation (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.69), whereas hypertension was associated with reduced risk (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.82). Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2 versus < 25 kg/m2) was independently associated with less risk of presenting with ST elevation among women, but not among men. Conclusion: Among patients with ACS, presenting with ST elevation is strongly associated with smoking, whereas hypertension and high BMI (in women) are associated with less ST elevation, independently of prior disease and medication.
Truncation of MalF Results in Lactose Transport via the Maltose Transport System of Escherichia coli *

The active accumulation of maltose and maltodextrins by Escherichia coli is dependent on the maltose transport system. Several lines of evidence suggest that the substrate specificity of the system is not only determined by the periplasmic maltose-binding protein but that a further level of substrate specificity is contributed by the inner membrane integral membrane components of the system, MalF and MalG. We have isolated and characterized an altered substrate specificity mutant that transports lactose. The mutation responsible for the altered substrate specificity results in an amber stop codon at position 99 of MalF. The mutant requires functional MalK-ATPase activity and hydrolyzes ATP constitutively. It also requires MalG. The data suggest that in this mutant the MalG protein is capable of forming a low affinity transport path for substrate.
Vitamin C intake and apoptosis in normal rectal epithelium.

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, may lower the risk of neoplasia by removing genetically damaged or mutated cells. A high rate of apoptosis has been linked to a reduced risk of colorectal adenomas; therefore, it is important to understand factors that impact apoptosis. Antioxidants (e.g., vitamin C) protect cells from harmful oxidation processes but may interfere with apoptosis by protecting genetically damaged cells from reactive oxygen species-dependent cell death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin C intake and apoptosis in normal rectal mucosa. Study participants were part of a large, cross-sectional study, the Diet and Health Study III. Participants were recruited from consecutive, consenting patients who underwent colonoscopy at University of North Carolina Hospitals between August 1, 1998 and March 4, 2000. Vitamin C intake, obtained from a food frequency questionnaire, included both dietary sources and vitamin supplements. Apoptosis was measured by morphological evaluation of H&E-stained sections obtained from pinch biopsy samples of normal rectal mucosa in consenting participants (n = 503). The relationship between vitamin C and apoptosis varied by adenoma status. Among individuals with adenomas, there was an inverse linear association between apoptosis and total vitamin C intake. Similarly, individuals with adenomas in the highest quintile of total vitamin C intake were substantially less likely than those in the lowest quintile to have increased colonic apoptosis (odds ratio, 0.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.46). Vitamin C was not significantly associated with apoptosis in adenoma-free patients. High vitamin C intake was associated with reduced colorectal apoptosis among individuals with adenomas in this study population. Given that high apoptosis may lower colorectal cancer risk, vitamin C supplements may be contraindicated for patients with a history of adenomas.
Diabetes and Cancer in Veterans of Operation Ranch Hand After Adjustment for Calendar Period, Days of Spraying, and Time Spent in Southeast Asia

Background: The Air Force Health Study was launched in 1980 as part of a Federal effort to resolve the Agent Orange issue. Objectives: To study diabetes and cancer with additional adjustment for days of spraying, calendar period of service, and time spent in Southeast Asia (SEA). Methods: This was a longitudinal study of veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, the unit responsible for spraying Agent Orange and other 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-contaminated herbicides in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971. Results: Associations between TCDD and diabetes and between TCDD and cancer in Ranch Hand veterans are strengthened after adjustment for calendar period of service, days of spraying, and, for cancer, time spent in SEA. Conclusions: Calendar period of service, days of spraying, and time spent in SEA are important confounders in the Air Force Health Study.
Synthetic glucocorticoids that dissociate transactivation and AP-1 transrepression exhibit antiinflammatory activity in vivo.

Some of the most potent antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive agents are synthetic glucocorticoids. However, major side effects severely limit their therapeutic use. The development of improved glucocorticoid-based drugs will require the separation of beneficial from deleterious effects. One possibility toward this goal is to try to dissociate two main activities of glucocorticoids, i.e. transactivation and transrepression. Screening of a library of compounds using transactivation and AP-1 transrepression models in transiently transfected cells identified dissociated glucocorticoids, which exert strong AP-1 inhibition but little or no transactivation. Importantly, despite high ligand binding affinity, the prototypic dissociated compound, RU24858, acted as a weak agonist and did not efficiently antagonize dexamethasone-induced transcription in transfected cells. Similar results were obtained in hepatic HTC cells for the transactivation of the endogenous tyrosine amino transferase gene (TAT), which encodes one of the enzymes involved in the glucocorticoid-dependent stimulation of neoglucogenesis. To investigate whether dissociated glucocorticoids retained the antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive potential of classic glucocorticoids, several in vitro and in vivo models were used. Indeed, secretion of the proinflammatory lymphokine interleukin-1beta was severely inhibited by dissociated glucocorticoids in human monocytic THP 1 cells. Moreover, in two in vivo models, these compounds exerted an antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive activity as potent as that of the classic glucocorticoid prednisolone. These results may lead to an improvement of antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies and provide a novel concept for drug discovery.