Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learn from experience: Probabilistic prediction of perception performance to avoid failure

Despite significant advances in machine learning and perception over the past few decades, perception algorithms can still be unreliable when deployed in challenging time-varying environments. When these systems are used for autonomous decision-making, such as in self-driving vehicles, the impact of their mistakes can be catastrophic. As such, it is important to characterize the performance of the system and predict when and where it may fail in order to take appropriate action. While similar in spirit to the idea of introspection, this work introduces a new paradigm for predicting the likely performance of a robot’s perception system based on past experience in the same workspace. In particular, we propose two models that probabilistically predict perception performance from observations gathered over time. While both approaches are place-specific, the second approach additionally considers appearance similarity when incorporating past observations. We evaluate our method in a classical decision-making scenario in which the robot must choose when and where to drive autonomously in 60km of driving data from an urban environment. Results demonstrate that both approaches lead to fewer false decisions (in terms of incorrectly offering or denying autonomy) for two different detector models, and show that leveraging visual appearance within a state-of-the-art navigation framework increases the accuracy of our performance predictions.
Asset Price Shocks, Financial Constraints, and Investment: Evidence from Japan

This paper examines investment spending of Japanese firms around the "asset price bubble" in the late-1980s and makes three contributions to our understanding of how stock valuations affect investment. First, corporate investment responds significantly to nonfundamental components of stock valuations during asset price shocks; fundamentals matter less. Clearly, the stock market is not a 'sideshow'. Second, the time series variation in the sensitivity of investment to cash flow is affected more by changes in monetary policy than by shifts in collateral values. Finally, asset price shocks primarily affect firms that rely more on bank financing, and not necessarily those that use equity markets for financing. Only the investment of bank-dependent firms responds to nonfundamental valuations. In addition, the cash flow sensitivity of bank-dependent firms with large collateral assets decreases when asset prices become inflated, but increases dramatically when asset prices collapse and monetary policy tightens.
TEMPORAL CHANGES IN CHROMOSOMAL POLYMORPHISM OF DROSOPHILA SUBOBSCURA RELATED TO CLIMATIC CHANGES

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A liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry‐based targeted proteomics approach for the assessment of transferrin receptor levels in breast cancer

Overexpression of human transferrin receptor (TfR) has been described qualitatively in various cancers, including breast cancer. Since TfR is also expressed to some extent under normal physiological conditions, increase of specificity and reproducibility in TfR quantification could improve the early detection and prognostic evaluation of cancers.
Lipopolysaccharide Contamination of β-Lactoglobulin Affects the Immune Response against Intraperitoneally and Orally Administered Antigen

Background: Microbial components in the environment are potent activators of the immune system with capacity to shift the active immune response towards priming of Th1 and/or Th2 cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell-wall component of Gram-negative bacteria, is extensively present in food products like cow’s milk. It is not well established, however, how this presence of LPS affects oral tolerance induction. Methods: We studied the effect of LPS contamination in a commercial preparation of the cow milk protein β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) on antigen-specific immune responses. IgG1/IgG2a production upon intraperitoneal immunization without adjuvant was measured, and oral tolerance induction against β-LG after administration of either an aqueous solution or water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion of β-LG was evaluated. Results: LPS contamination of β-LG provoked a β-LG-specific IgG2a response, as well as an enhanced β-LG-specific IgG1 response upon intraperitoneal immunization. Oral tolerance induction to β-LG was induced by aqueous solutions of β-LG with and without LPS administration. Conversely, oral administration of w/o-emulsified β-LG prevented oral tolerance to β-LG only when the β-LG was contaminated with LPS. Conclusions: LPS contamination of an aqueous protein solution does not affect oral tolerance induction, whereas LPS present in emulsion prevents oral tolerance induction towards the food protein.
Sensory blockade after thoracic paravertebral injection of ropivacaine or bupivacaine

Background and objective: No clinical trials comparing the characteristics of sensory blockade caused by various local anaesthetics in thoracic paravertebral blockade have been published. The aim of this prospective study was a clinical assessment of sensory blockade after paravertebral injection of ropivacaine or bupivacaine in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Methods: Seventy ASA I–II patients were randomized to receive a single injection of ropivacaine 0.5% (n = 35) or bupivacaine 0.5% (n = 35) at the T4 level. General anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl was provided during the procedure and patients were not intubated. The following parameters were analysed: duration and dynamics of the sensory blockade and the patient's and surgeon's assessment. Results: Both ropivacaine and bupivacaine provided a similar level of analgesia. Ropivacaine was characterized by more rapid onset – after only 5 min 53% of patients in this group had the extent of sensory blockade wide enough to perform modified radical mastectomy in comparison to only 20% after bupivacaine (P < 0.01). The initial spread of sensory blockade (>9 segments blocked) was noted more often in the ropivacaine group (88% vs. 65%, P < 0.05), lasted longer and appeared to be wider than sensory blockade produced by bupivacaine. Regression of sensory blockade was initially similar, but after 24 h sensory blockade in the ropivacaine group still had a potential to provide analgesia for modified radical mastectomy in 81% of patients in comparison to only 50% of such patients in the bupivacaine group (P < 0.05). Degree of postoperative pain, performance of the cardiovascular system, consumption of medications and complications were all similar between the study groups. Conclusions: Both agents provide satisfactory conditions for mastectomy, but ropivacaine seems to be superior to bupivacaine for thoracic paravertebral blockade during breast cancer surgery.
Silicon-based high-Q inductors incorporating electroplated copper and low-K BCB dielectric

We have fabricated high-Q copper inductors using low-K benzocyclobutene (BCB) dielectric as an interface layer on standard CMOS silicon substrate. Metal ohmic loss and substrate loss, the two major factors that degrade the Q-factors of on-chip inductors, are suppressed by the employment of electroplated copper and the BCB dielectric, respectively. The inductors exhibit Q-factors as high as 25 at 2 GHz. The dependence of inductor's high-frequency performance on inductor's parameters, such as BCB and copper thickness, has been investigated in detail. The inductor fabrication process is low-cost and low-temperature, making it suitable for post-IC process for high-performance RFICs and MMICs.
POTENCY, SPECTRUM AND RESIDUAL ACTIVITY OF FOUR NEW INSECTICIDES UNDER GLASSHOUSE CONDITIONS

Abstract The toxicities of four classes of insecticides, emamectin benzoate (avermectin), chlorfenapyr (pyrrole), fipronil (phenylpyrazole), and tebufenozide (benzoylhydrazide) were compared using an artificial diet assay and a residual efficacy assay against several species of Lepidoptera. Emamectin benzoate was consistently the most toxic insecticide; it was 20- to 64,240-times more toxic than the other compounds tested. The LC90 values for emamectin benzoate ranged from 0.0050 to 0.0218 ug/ml for six species of Lepidoptera. Similarly, chlorfenapyr displayed consistent toxicity to all species, with LC90 values ranging from 1.9 to 4.6 ug/ml. The toxicities of fipronil and tebufenozide varied among the species tested. Fipronil LC90 values varied 501-fold (range, 0.64 to 321.3 ug/ml), while tebufenozide toxicity varied 113-fold (range, 0.24 to 27.1 ug/ml) among species tested. In residual efficacy tests conducted in the glasshouse, all compounds were effective (i.e., >90% mortality) at controlling Heliothis virescens on garbanzo bean at projected field rates and at 1/10 of projected field rates with fipronil and emamectin benzoate. Emamectin benzoate, chlorfenapyr and tebufenozide were effective at controlling Spodoptera exigua on sugar beet at projected field rates. However, mortality with fipronil was reduced to 20% or less at 7 to 14 days after treatment. All compounds at projected field use rates were effective against Trichoplusia ni on cabbage, although tebufenozide was the only compound effective at 1/10 of projected field rate for 14 days after treatment. However, tebufenozide was ineffective against Plutella xylostella at projected field use rates on cabbage while emamectin benzoate, chlorfenapyr, and fipronil were effective. The potential of these compounds for arthropod pest management are discussed.
Impact of a school health coordinator intervention on health-related school policies and student behavior.

BACKGROUND Health-related, school-based interventions may serve to prevent disease and improve academic performance. The Healthy Maine Partnerships (HMP) initiative funded local school health coordinators (SHCs) as a part of Maine's Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) beginning in January 2001. SHCs established school health leadership teams and implemented annual work plans to address health risk behaviors. This study evaluates the impact of the Healthy Maine Partnerships SHC (HMPSHC) intervention on school policies and student risk behaviors after its first 5 years. METHODS Data sources include the Maine School Health Profiles Survey and the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey/Youth Tobacco Survey. Cross-sectional analyses were performed on 2006 data to assess physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco-related policy associations with the HMPSHC intervention. Finally, policy and student behavior analyses were conducted to assess associations. RESULTS Intervention schools were more likely to be associated with physical activity intramural offerings, improved nutritional offerings, and tobacco cessation programs. In intervention schools, supportive school policies were associated with decreased soda consumption, decreased inactivity, and decreased tobacco use. Required school health education curricula were more predictive of decreased risk behavior in intervention schools than in nonintervention schools. CONCLUSIONS In schools with SHCs, there exists a stronger association with improved school programs. Improved policies and programs were associated with decreases in risk behavior among students in intervention schools. The HMPSHC intervention may be a viable CSHP model to replicate and evaluate in other settings.
Identification of Extended-Spectrum, AmpC, and Carbapenem- Hydrolyzing β-Lactamases in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae by Disk Tests

ABSTRACT Antibiotic disks with and without clavulanic acid, 3-aminophenylboronic acid, or EDTA were tested with a set of 55 Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli strains producing well-characterized extended-spectrum, AmpC, or carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamases. A relatively simple scheme was devised for distinguishing β-lactamase types in clinical isolates with or without intact outer membrane porins.
HIV-1 Tat protects CD4+ Jurkat T lymphoblastoid cells from apoptosis mediated by TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand.

We have here investigated the effect of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a new member of the TNF cytokine superfamily, on the survival of Jurkat lymphoblastoid cell lines stably transfected with plasmids expressing the wild-type or mutated (Cys22) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) tat gene. Jurkat cells transfected with wild-type tat were resistant to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, while Jurkat cells mock-transfected with the control plasmid or with a mutated nonfunctional tat cDNA were highly susceptible to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Also, pretreatment with low concentrations (10-100 ng/ml) of extracellular synthetic Tat protein partially protected Jurkat cells from TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, these results demonstrated that endogenously expressed tat and, to a lesser extent, extracellular Tat block TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Since it has been shown that primary lymphoid T cells purified from HIV-1-infected individuals are more susceptible than those purified from normal individuals to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, our findings underscore a potentially important role of Tat in protecting HIV-1-infected cells from TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
Bisphenol A (BPA) and its source in foods in Japanese markets

The determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and/or bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) in foods sold in Japanese markets and in water leached from six epoxy resin cans with similar diameters was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (LC/ECD), LC-mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS) and LC-tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS/MS). BPA concentrations were 0–842 ng g−1 for 48 canned foods, 0–14 ng g−1 for 23 foods in plastic containers, and 0–1 ng g−1 for 16 foods in paper containers. No BADGE was detected in three canned foods. There was no difference in leaching concentrations of BPA into glycine buffers at pHs 8 and 11, and water. The amounts of BPA leached into water from six epoxy resin cans held at 121°C for 20 min were almost the same as the cans’ contents and were much higher than the amounts leached from cans held at or below 80°C for 60 min. The amount leached depended on the type of can, but not on the amount of BADGE leached from the cans. Considerably more BPA than BADGE leached to water from six cans. Two cans whose contents had high concentrations of BPA showed no BADGE leaching even at 121°C, suggesting the different kinds of epoxy resin can linings from others. The results imply that the main source of human exposure to BPA is food from cans with linings that contain high percentages of BPA as an additive or an unforeseen contaminant.
Clutter, Chaos, and Overconsumption

How do cluttered, chaotic environments—such as messy kitchens—influence snacking behavior? How does one’s mind-set help prevent unwanted snacking from occurring? One hundred one female undergraduate students participated under standard-kitchen conditions or in a chaotic-kitchen condition. Participants were also asked to recall and write about a time when they felt particularly in control or particularly out of control. Finally, participants were given cookies, crackers, and carrots to taste and rate. Participants in the chaotic-kitchen condition and the out-of-control mind-set condition consumed more cookies (103 kcal) than did participants who were in the in-control mind-set condition (38 kcal). The chaotic environment had no impact on consumption of crackers or carrots. Although a chaotic environment can create a vulnerability to making unhealthy food choices, one’s mind-set in that environment can either trigger or buffer against that vulnerability.
A Reply to “Comment on ‘The Abrupt Cessation of Therapeutically Administered Sodium Oxybate (GHB) May Cause Withdrawal Symptoms’”

We appreciate the care with which Dr. Zvosec reviewed the recently published article by the Xyrem Multicenter Study Group (1). For many, GHB is an emotionally charged subject, and Orphan Medical is grateful for the opportunity to provide additional clarity to her concerns on behalf of the authors. More than 25 yrs of clinical research experience with sodium oxybate has not provided any reports of drug craving, tolerance, or withdrawal suggestive of physical dependence when used in the treatment of narcolepsy (2–9). Similar results have been previously obtained by the authors of the current report (10,11). Taken together, the above body of literature provides little reason to anticipate addiction and subsequent withdrawal symptoms in patients participating in the trial presently under discussion; nevertheless, we would like to respond to the comments of Dr. Zvosec. As stated in the introduction (1), the results reported in the present study were obtained during a randomized, placebo-controlled, long-term efficacy trial, in which patients were abruptly removed in blinded fashion from chronic open-label treatment with sodium oxybate for 7 to 44 months. This study was designed to demonstrate long-term efficacy of sodium oxybate, at the time an investigational new drug, for the treatment of cataplexy without imposing the hardship of receiving placebo treatment for many months. This protocol was approved by local and regional ethics committees as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The system used for reporting adverse events was the Coding Symbols for a Thesaurus of Adverse Reaction Terms dictionary, commonly referred to as COSTART (12). At the time this trial was being conducted, COSTART was the FDA-preferred means of standardized adverse event reporting. The verbatim description of an adverse event, as reported by the patient, was forwarded to a clinical research organization where verbatim terms were translated into COSTART terms. Of note, COSTART captures verbatim terms that translate to Addiction, Drug Dependence, and Withdrawal Syndrome as adverse events. The accompanying table lists verbatim and COSTART descriptions of the adverse events reported in placebo patients during the double-blind phase of the study.
Does Information Technology Improve Open Innovation Performance? An Examination of Manufacturers in Spain

Our objective in this paper is to explore the impact of information technology (IT) on the performance of open innovation models. We study the effect of IT on the production of patents and product innovations. Our analysis of a large panel of Spanish manufacturing firms confirms that the effect of the proportion of external research and development (R&D) investments on the production of patents and new products has an inverted U-shape. The results also reveal that investments in IT positively moderate the consequences of open innovation on innovation performance by reducing identification, assimilation, and utilization costs. Our results provide evidence of the viability and benefit of a new strategic alternative to innovation that is different than the traditional process of vertically integrated R&D. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017. 0705.
Energy-Autonomous Picocell Remote Antenna Unit for Radio-Over-Fiber System Using the Multiservices Concept

The study reported in this letter deals with the extension of the multiservices concept to radio-over-fiber systems with energy-autonomous picocell remote antenna units. Continuous-power, radio-frequency, and digital signals have been combined in a single multimode fiber for the first time. The results clearly demonstrate no impairment of the optically powered remote antenna unit compared to an electrically powered version. The proposed system complies with the classical baseband Ethernet high-data-rate network (10 GbE bit error rate 10-12). The measured error vector magnitude for the radio-frequency (IEEE802.11g) signal transmission through the designed system stays around 2%, including both the optical transmission over 100-m OM3 multimode fiber and a wireless coverage of 5 m.
Can Supply Chain Flexibility Facilitate Information Sharing ?

This paper attempts to provide an explanation for a long-standing observation in supply chain management: while our models typically show that simple contracts cannot induce credible forecast sharing between different parties within the supply chain, why do firms often use them in practice, and exchange information through unverifiable communication (“cheap talk”)? We address this question using a stylized model consisting of a retailer who solicits forecast information from a manufacturer launching a new product. Once information is shared, the retailer decides how much of its budget to invest in procuring inventory of an existing product, and how much to retain as a reserve for the anticipated launch of the manufacturer’s new product. To capture the effect of flexibility on credible forecast sharing, we examine two operational systems: a traditional system, where the retailer must make investment decisions at the beginning of the time horizon, and a flexible system, where the retailer has the option to postpone its procurement decision until learning whether the manufacturer’s product is released. We show that in the traditional system, the manufacturer has an incentive to inflate its forecast, thus, the retailer cannot trust the report. In the flexible system, however, procurement flexibility brings about a situation in which the manufacturer is uncertain about the retailer’s reaction to its report. This uncertainty may induce the manufacturer to report truthfully. Therefore, we show that under complete rationality, firms can employ simple contracts while, at the same time, induce truthful reporting.