18,504 research outputs found
Reinforcement Learning from Passive Data via Latent Intentions
Passive observational data, such as human videos, is abundant and rich in
information, yet remains largely untapped by current RL methods. Perhaps
surprisingly, we show that passive data, despite not having reward or action
labels, can still be used to learn features that accelerate downstream RL. Our
approach learns from passive data by modeling intentions: measuring how the
likelihood of future outcomes change when the agent acts to achieve a
particular task. We propose a temporal difference learning objective to learn
about intentions, resulting in an algorithm similar to conventional RL, but
which learns entirely from passive data. When optimizing this objective, our
agent simultaneously learns representations of states, of policies, and of
possible outcomes in an environment, all from raw observational data. Both
theoretically and empirically, this scheme learns features amenable for value
prediction for downstream tasks, and our experiments demonstrate the ability to
learn from many forms of passive data, including cross-embodiment video data
and YouTube videos.Comment: Accompanying website at https://dibyaghosh.com/icvf
Conditional Adapters: Parameter-efficient Transfer Learning with Fast Inference
We propose Conditional Adapter (CoDA), a parameter-efficient transfer
learning method that also improves inference efficiency. CoDA generalizes
beyond standard adapter approaches to enable a new way of balancing speed and
accuracy using conditional computation. Starting with an existing dense
pretrained model, CoDA adds sparse activation together with a small number of
new parameters and a light-weight training phase. Our experiments demonstrate
that the CoDA approach provides an unexpectedly efficient way to transfer
knowledge. Across a variety of language, vision, and speech tasks, CoDA
achieves a 2x to 8x inference speed-up compared to the state-of-the-art Adapter
approach with moderate to no accuracy loss and the same parameter efficiency
Deliberative Democracy, Perspective from Indo-Pacific Blogosphere: A Survey
Deliberation and communication within the national space have had numerous
implications on how citizens online and offline perceive government. It has
also impacted the relationship between opposition and incumbent governments in
the Indo-Pacific region. Authoritarian regimes have historically had control
over the dissemination of information, thereby controlling power and limiting
challenges from citizens who are not comfortable with the status quo. Social
media and blogs have allowed citizens of these countries to find a way to
communicate, and the exchange of information continues to rise. The quest by
both authoritarian and democratic regimes to control or influence the
discussion in the public sphere has given rise to concepts like cybertroopers,
congressional bloggers, and commentator bloggers, among others. Cybertroopers
have become the de facto online soldiers of authoritarian regimes who must
embrace democracy. While commentator and congressional bloggers have acted with
different strategies, commentator bloggers educate online citizens with
knowledgeable information to influence the citizens. Congressional bloggers are
political officeholders who use blogging to communicate their positions on
ongoing national issues. Therefore, this work has explored various concepts
synonymous with the Indo-Pacific public sphere and how it shapes elections and
democracy
Antenna Arrangement in UWB Helmet Brain Applicators for Deep Microwave Hyperthermia
Deep microwave hyperthermia applicators are typically designed as narrow-band conformal antenna arrays with equally spaced elements, arranged in one or more rings. This solution, while adequate for most body regions, might be sub-optimal for brain treatments. The introduction of ultra-wide-band semi-spherical applicators, with elements arranged around the head and not necessarily aligned, has the potential to enhance the selective thermal dose delivery in this challenging anatomical region. However, the additional degrees of freedom in this design make the problem non-trivial. We address this by treating the antenna arrangement as a global SAR-based optimization process aiming at maximizing target coverage and hot-spot suppression in a given patient. To enable the quick evaluation of a certain arrangement, we propose a novel E-field interpolation technique which calculates the field generated by an antenna at any location around the scalp from a limited number of initial simulations. We evaluate the approximation error against full array simulations. We demonstrate the design technique in the optimization of a helmet applicator for the treatment of a medulloblastoma in a paediatric patient. The optimized applicator achieves 0.3\ua0 (Formula presented.) C higher T90 than a conventional ring applicator with the same number of elements
Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades
Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter ‘members’) of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES). A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants. The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) ‘Fundamental Research’ (themes: Taxonomy, ‘Blue Skies’ [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) ‘Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation’ (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) ‘Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices’ (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) ‘Collaboration, Engagement and Training’ (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement). Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages. Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well-being, and environmental change
"Just old age" - a qualitative investigation of owner and veterinary professional experiences of and attitudes to ageing in dogs in the UK.
ObjectivesMany UK dogs live into old age, but owners may not recognise or report age-associated signs of disease which lead to negative welfare. This study investigated dog owner and veterinary professional experiences and attitudes towards ageing in dogs, how health care is offered, barriers to its delivery, and some best-practice solutions.Materials and methodsIn-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 owners of 21 dogs (aged 8 to 17 years mean: 13) and 11 veterinary professional (eight veterinary surgeons, two nurses and one physiotherapist). Open-text responses from 61 dog owner were collected using an online survey. Transcripts and survey responses were inductively coded into themes.ResultsFour themes were constructed: "just old age", barriers to care, trust in veterinary surgeons, and tools to improve health care. Age-related changes were mostly perceived as "just old age" by dog owner. Many dogs were no longer vaccinated and did not attend check-ups unless owners identified a problem. The greatest barriers to health care were finances (dog owner), owner awareness, willingness to act and consultation time (veterinary professional). Trust in veterinary professional was more likely when dog owner experienced continuity, prioritisation of care, clear communication and an accessible, knowledgeable and empathic veterinary professional. Participants suggested that senior health care and communication between dog owner and veterinary professional could be improved through questionnaires, and evidence-based online information.Clinical significanceOpportunities to educate owners on which clinical signs represent healthy or pathological ageing are being missed. Resources should be developed to guide on best-practice discussions in consultations, encourage more owners to recognise clinical signs and to seek and trust veterinary advice
Perceptions of surveillance: exploring feelings held by Black community leaders in Boston toward camera enforcement of roadway infractions
Roadway camera enforcement programs have been found to effectively reduce vehicle travel speeds, as well as decrease the number and severity of collisions. Despite a wealth of evaluative research confirming this enforcement approach's aptitude at promoting safer roadway behavior, fewer than 50 % of US states currently host camera-based programs. Public opposition is frequently cited as the cause for the slow proliferation of this enforcement strategy. However, with public demand for police reform having an increasing presence on the national political stage, how might feelings toward camera technology currently stand among groups most marginalized by existing enforcement systems, and how might those feelings vary by type of enforcement application? Through a series of focus groups, this work centers Black voices on matters of surveillance and roadway enforcement by discussing sentiment toward camera programs with Black community leaders. This discussion is contextually situated in Boston, Massachusetts, where legislation that would allow for camera enforcement of roadway infractions is actively being deliberated in the State Senate. Findings culminate in a list of right-sizing and procedural recommendations for policy makers hoping to gain support for camera enforcement, improve roadway safety, and advance racial equity in our systems of policing and governance
Corporate Social Responsibility: the institutionalization of ESG
Understanding the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on firm performance as it relates to industries reliant on technological innovation is a complex and perpetually evolving challenge. To thoroughly investigate this topic, this dissertation will adopt an economics-based structure to address three primary hypotheses. This structure allows for each hypothesis to essentially be a standalone empirical paper, unified by an overall analysis of the nature of impact that ESG has on firm performance. The first hypothesis explores the evolution of CSR to the modern quantified iteration of ESG has led to the institutionalization and standardization of the CSR concept. The second hypothesis fills gaps in existing literature testing the relationship between firm performance and ESG by finding that the relationship is significantly positive in long-term, strategic metrics (ROA and ROIC) and that there is no correlation in short-term metrics (ROE and ROS). Finally, the third hypothesis states that if a firm has a long-term strategic ESG plan, as proxied by the publication of CSR reports, then it is more resilience to damage from controversies. This is supported by the finding that pro-ESG firms consistently fared better than their counterparts in both financial and ESG performance, even in the event of a controversy. However, firms with consistent reporting are also held to a higher standard than their nonreporting peers, suggesting a higher risk and higher reward dynamic. These findings support the theory of good management, in that long-term strategic planning is both immediately economically beneficial and serves as a means of risk management and social impact mitigation. Overall, this contributes to the literature by fillings gaps in the nature of impact that ESG has on firm performance, particularly from a management perspective
Exploring the Effects of Metabolism-Disrupting Chemicals on Pancreatic α-Cell Viability, Gene Expression and Function: A Screening Testing Approach
Humans are constantly exposed to many environmental pollutants, some of which have been largely acknowledged as key factors in the development of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. These chemicals have been classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and, more recently, since they can interfere with metabolic functions, they have been renamed as metabolism-disrupting chemicals (MDCs). MDCs are present in many consumer products, including food packaging, personal care products, plastic bottles and containers, and detergents. The scientific literature has ever-increasingly focused on insulin-releasing pancreatic β-cells as one of the main targets for MDCs. Evidence highlights that these substances may disrupt glucose homeostasis by altering pancreatic β-cell physiology. However, their potential impact on glucagon-secreting pancreatic α-cells remains poorly known despite the essential role that this cellular type plays in controlling glucose metabolism. In the present study, we have selected seven paradigmatic MDCs representing major toxic classes, including bisphenols, phthalates, perfluorinated compounds, metals, and pesticides. By using an in vitro cell-based model, the pancreatic α-cell line αTC1-9, we have explored the effects of these compounds on pancreatic α-cell viability, gene expression, and secretion. We found that cell viability was moderately affected after bisphenol-A (BPA), bisphenol-F (BPF), and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure, although cytotoxicity was relatively low. In addition, all bisphenols, as well as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2), promoted a marked decreased on glucagon secretion, together with changes in the expression of glucagon and/or transcription factors involved in cell function and identity, such as Foxo1 and Arx. Overall, our results indicated that most of the selected chemicals studied caused functional alterations in pancreatic α-cells. Moreover, we revealed, for the first time, their direct effects on key molecular aspects of pancreatic α-cell biology.This study received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under Grant agreement no. 825712 (OBERON) project and Generalitat Valenciana: PROMETEO/2020/006 grant. The author’s laboratory also holds grant PID2020-113112RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. CIBERDEM is an initiative of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Intermodal Terminal Subsystem Technology Selection Using Integrated Fuzzy MCDM Model
Intermodal transportation is the use of multiple modes of transportation, which can lead to
greater sustainability by reducing environmental impact and traffic congestion and increasing the
efficiency of supply chains. One of the preconditions for efficient intermodal transport is the efficient
intermodal terminal (IT). ITs allow for the smooth and efficient handling of cargo, thus reducing the
time, cost, and environmental impact of transportation. Adequate selection of subsystem technologies
can significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of an IT, ultimately leading to cost savings
for businesses and a more efficient and sustainable transportation system. Accordingly, this paper
aims to establish a framework for the evaluation and selection of appropriate technologies for IT
subsystems. To solve the defined problem, an innovative hybrid multi-criteria decision making
(MCDM) model, which combines the fuzzy factor relationship (FFARE) and the fuzzy combinative
distance-based assessment (FCODAS) methods, is developed in this paper. The FFARE method
is used for obtaining criteria weights, while the FCODAS method is used for evaluation and a
final ranking of the alternatives. The established framework and the model are tested on a real-life
case study, evaluating and selecting the handling technology for a planned IT. The study defines
12 potential variants of handling equipment based on their techno-operational characteristics and
evaluates them using 16 criteria. The results indicate that the best handling technology variant is
the one that uses a rail-mounted gantry crane for trans-shipment and a reach stacker for horizontal
transport and storage. The results also point to the conclusion that instead of choosing equipment
for each process separately, it is important to think about the combination of different handling
technologies that can work together to complete a series of handling cycle processes. The main
contributions of this paper are the development of a new hybrid model and the establishment of
a framework for the selection of appropriate IT subsystem technologies along with a set of unique
criteria for their evaluation and selection
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