In this content, the author discusses solving a regression problem using a linear combination of random functions. They propose initializing the coefficients to 1/sqrt(N) and using gradient descent to minimize a loss function. The author empirically tests this approach and finds that the resulting functions are not bad and seem to concentrate around piecewise linear […]
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Chocolate, a beloved treat for many, may contain harmful heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, according to Consumer Reports’ tests. Dark chocolate typically has higher levels of these metals due to its higher cacao content, but even other chocolate products like milk chocolate contain detectable amounts. Consumer Reports tested 48 different chocolate products, including […]
DreamCraft3D is a novel method for generating high-quality 3D objects. The approach involves using a 2D reference image to guide the sculpting of geometry and enhancing textures. A key focus of this work is addressing the consistency issue that existing methods encounter. To address this, the authors use score distillation sampling and a view-dependent diffusion […]
Storing application data can have a significant impact on performance and efficiency. While popular options like MySQL and Postgres are reliable, using SQLite can greatly simplify the development process for most web applications. One unique feature of SQLite is that it stores the entire database in a single file, resulting in zero latency and reducing […]
A recent study conducted by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research reveals that antibodies against polyethylene glycol (PEG) are present in 83 percent of the German population. PEG is commonly used in cosmetics, food, and medicine, and its presence can impact the effectiveness of drugs. The researchers focused on how these antibodies […]
Introducing ‘fadblock’, a unique ad-blocking solution that seeks and skips advertisements on YouTube. Unlike traditional ad blockers, this extension technically loads the ad content but quickly fast-forwards through it, ensuring a seamless user experience in less than 50 milliseconds. What sets ‘fadblock’ apart is its ability to block ads not only on YouTube’s platform but […]
In this web content, the authors reflect on their experiences as Site Reliability Engineers at Google over the past two decades. They highlight the evolution of Google’s computing power and network, as well as the improved reliability of their services. The content shares lessons learned from specific incidents, including the importance of choosing appropriate mitigations, […]
Yesterday, three exploits related to social logins and token verification were discovered and reported by a security firm. The affected applications include Vidio, Bukalapak, and Grammarly, all of which have millions of active users. Surprisingly, even these well-established companies had insecure implementations of “Login With Facebook,” putting user accounts at risk of takeover. While the […]
Soap is an effective tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The structure of soap allows it to destroy the virus by breaking apart its outer layer, which is made of a greasy lipid that hates water. Soap molecules, shaped like tadpoles, have a water-loving head and a water-hating tail. When soap comes into contact […]
The author expresses their dissatisfaction with how Twitter is being used currently, noting that their positive outlook on the platform has diminished over time. They mention that the content on Twitter has become more engaging, but also more boring, as it is now primarily designed to be seen on Twitter. They explore the tension between […]