Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Method for 6D Pose Estimation of Free-Form Rigid Objects Using Point Pair Features on Range Data

Pose estimation of free-form objects is a crucial task towards flexible and reliable highly complex autonomous systems. Recently, methods based on range and RGB-D data have shown promising results with relatively high recognition rates and fast running times. On this line, this paper presents a feature-based method for 6D pose estimation of rigid objects based on the Point Pair Features voting approach. The presented solution combines a novel preprocessing step, which takes into consideration the discriminative value of surface information, with an improved matching method for Point Pair Features. In addition, an improved clustering step and a novel view-dependent re-scoring process are proposed alongside two scene consistency verification steps. The proposed method performance is evaluated against 15 state-of-the-art solutions on a set of extensive and variate publicly available datasets with real-world scenarios under clutter and occlusion. The presented results show that the proposed method outperforms all tested state-of-the-art methods for all datasets with an overall 6.6% relative improvement compared to the second best method.
Osteology of the first skull of Aetosauroides scagliai Casamiquela 1960 (Archosauria: Aetosauria) from the Upper Triassic of southern Brazil (Hyperodapedon Assemblage Zone) and its phylogenetic importance

Aetosauria, which includes 30 species, is a diverse group of armored pseudosuchian archosaurs restricted to Upper Triassic beds. Three species occur in Brazil, and one of these, Aetosauroides scagliai Casamiquela, 1960, also occurs in Argentina. The specimen UFSM 11505, found at Faixa Nova–Cerrito I Outcrop, Santa Maria Formation (Hyperodapedon Assemblage Zone), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, is here referred to as Aetosauroides scagliai. This specimen preserves most of the skull with both hemimandibles in association with most of the postcranium, thus representing one of the most complete aetosaur skeletons found in Brazil. The premaxilla, one of the key elements of the cranial morphology of aetosaurs, along with the posterior portion of the mandible, was not described until now for A. scagliai. In contrast to the typothoracinae aetosaurs, the premaxilla of UFSM 11505 presents a shovel-shaped tip, but it is not as prominent as the lateral expansion of desmatosuchian aetosaurs, including both species of Stagonolepis, S. robertsoni Agassiz, 1844 and S. olenkae Sulej, 2010. The retroarticular process of the mandible is elongate and not tall, as in Stenomity huangae Small & Martz, 2013 and other typothoracinae aetosaurs. Unlike previous descriptions of A. scagliai, the maxillary teeth are recurved ziphodont-like with serrations on the entire length of both margins. Premaxillary teeth are also present, being less recurved than the maxillary teeth and cylindrical. We recovered Aetosauroides scagliai as the most basal taxon within Aetosauria, like previous phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore, our analyses reinforce that recurved and unconstricted maxillary teeth, the shovel-shaped premaxilla and the presence of a tuber on the surangular are plesiomorphic features of Aetosauria.
Donor‐Specific Antibodies in Pediatric Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation: The Role of Liver and Human Leukocyte Antigen Mismatching

Rejection is one of the most important drawbacks for graft and patient survival in intestinal and multivisceral transplantation. However, there is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria for humoral rejection, and the literature about the role of donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) on allograft outcome and the risk factors that contribute to their development is scant with contradictory results. The present study analyzes the role of DSA exclusively in a pediatric cohort of 43 transplants. Among our patients, 11.6% showed preformed DSA, but they did not correlate with more rejection or less allograft survival. Having previous transplants was the main sensitization factor with an odds ratio (OR) = 44.85 (P = 0.001). In total, 16.3% of recipients developed de novo donor‐specific antibodies (dnDSA), mostly directed against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, polyspecific and complement fixing. Additionally, the presence of dnDSA had a deleterious effect on graft rejection (hazard ratio [HR] = 11.00; P = 0.01) and survival (HR = 66.52; P < 0.001) in an observational period of 5 years after transplantation. The inclusion of the liver emerged as the main protective factor against dnDSA development with an OR = 0.07 (P = 0.007). The analysis of HLA compatibility at the serological and epitope level with the computational tools HLAMatchmaker and PIRCHE revealed no association between HLA mismatching and dnDSA. In conclusion, this study performed in pediatric recipients shows the deleterious effect of dnDSA on intestinal transplantation supported by the complement‐fixing activity observed. Additionally, the liver inclusion in the allografts showed to be a protective factor against dnDSA generation.
Association between genetic polymorphisms and platinum-induced ototoxicity in children

Platinum is extensively used in the treatment of several childhood cancers. However, ototoxicity is one of the most notable adverse effects, especially in children. Several studies suggest that genetics may predict its occurrence. Here, polymorphisms associated with platinum-induced ototoxicity were selected from the literature and were investigated in a pediatric population treated with platinum-based agents. In this retrospective study, patients treated with cisplatin and/or carboplatin were screened. The patients with pre- and post-treatment audiogram (Brock criteria) available were included. We selected polymorphisms that have previously been associated with cisplatin ototoxicity with a minor allele frequency ≥30%. Deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1, rs1799735 (GSTM3), rs1695 (GSTP1), rs4880 (SOD2), rs2228001 (XPC), rs1799793 (XPD) and rs4788863 (SLC16A5) were investigated. Data of one hundred and six children matching the eligible criteria were analyzed. Thirty-three patients (31%) developed ototoxicity (with a Brock grade ≥2). The probability of hearing loss increased significantly in patients carrying the null genotype for GSTT1 (P = 0.03), A/A genotype at rs1695 (P = 0.01), and C/C genotype at rs1799793 (P = 0.008). We also showed an association of the cumulative doses of carboplatin with cisplatin ototoxicity (P <0.05). To conclude, deletion of GSTT1, rs1695 and rs1799793 may constitute potential predictors of platinum-induced ototoxicity.
Brief Online Training with Standardised Vignettes Reduces Inflated Supervisor Ratings of Trainee Practitioner Competencies

Objective Supervisor assessments of trainee competence are integral to ensuring that clinical psychology trainees reach competency benchmarks. The commonly used Clinical Psychology Practicum Competencies Rating Scale (CΨPRS) has been shown to elicit inflated ratings of competency. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine whether brief supervisor training reduces ratings by providing objective criteria with which supervisors can assess trainee competency. Method The ratings included were of 124 psychology trainees from nine Australian university clinical programmes. Of 170 supervisors, 32 completed the online training immediately prior to commencing the CΨPRS. Training required supervisors to rate the competency level described in five standardised vignettes (Beginner through to Competent). Vignette ratings, as determined by a panel of expert supervisors, were provided as feedback. A sixth calibration vignette was also rated (no feedback provided). Firstly, CΨPRS ratings from the trained and untrained supervisors were compared. Secondly, the difference between supervisor and expert ratings of the calibration vignettes were compared across trained and untrained groups. Results Trained supervisors provided lower CΨPRS ratings than untrained supervisors. In addition, trained supervisors (vs untrained supervisors) provided ratings of the calibration vignette that more accurately matched the ratings provided by the expert panel. Conclusions Brief online training using standardised vignettes was associated with lower CΨPRS ratings. The standardised vignettes helped calibrate supervisors’ ratings and likely attuned supervisors to the skills and competency levels that are expected at particular developmental stages. As a consequence, training appeared to reduce ratings, arguably resulting in more accurate assessments of trainee performance.
A tale of social Q&As in the united states and china

This poster reports a study that examines and compares how Social Questions and Answers (Social Q&As, or SQAs) are used in the United States and China. The data were collected from users of the most popular SQA site in the two countries respectively. The preliminary findings show that overall SQA serves various user needs, and user satisfaction is at about 70% for both sites. However, user satisfaction with SQA answers varies by the types of questions. This is particularly relevant for Yahoo! Answers users in the United States. SQA users in both countries point out a common set of the most important factors as well as the least important factors for a virtual information service. The practical implications of the study are discussed.
Simple Scores of Fibrosis and Mortality in Patients with NAFLD: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Noninvasive simple scores have been validated to assess advanced liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis evaluating if NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score may also predict mortality. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched until April 2018. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled RRs of mortality for highest vs. lowest categories of exposure and to perform dose-response meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q test and I2 statistic. Overall, eight studies were included in the systematic review; all of the eight studies provided data for NFS, while four provided data for APRI and FIB-4. When comparing the risk estimates for high (>0.676) vs. intermediate + low NFS (≤0.676), we found a nearly fourfold increase in mortality risk, with evidence of heterogeneity (RR = 3.85, 95% CI: 2.08, 7.11; I2 = 92%). At dose-response meta-analysis, compared to the midpoint of the lowest category of NFS (−2.5), the risk of mortality was about twofold higher for NFS = −0.5 (RR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.31, 3.70) and more than fivefold higher for NFS = 1.5 (RR = 5.16, 95% CI: 2.02, 13.16). When comparing the risk estimates for high (>1.5) vs. medium + low APRI (≤1.5), we found a higher risk of mortality, without heterogeneity (RR = 3.61, 95% CI: 1.79, 7.28; I2 = 0%). Comparison of the risk estimates for high (>2.67) vs. medium + low FIB-4 (≤2.67) didn’t reveal a significantly higher risk of mortality, with heterogeneity (RR = 2.27, 95% CI: 0.72, 7.15; I2 = 85%). Dose-response analysis for APRI and FIB-4 was not considered conclusive due to the low number of studies. Based on the results of our meta-analysis, the measurement of NFS can be considered an accurate tool for the stratification of the risk of death in patients with NAFLD.
Smoking Cessation, Weight Change, Type 2 Diabetes, and Mortality

Background Whether weight gain after smoking cessation attenuates the health benefits of quitting is unclear. Methods In three cohort studies involving men and women in the United States, we identified those who had reported quitting smoking and we prospectively assessed changes in smoking status and body weight. We estimated risks of type 2 diabetes, death from cardiovascular disease, and death from any cause among those who had reported quitting smoking, according to weight changes after smoking cessation. Results The risk of type 2 diabetes was higher among recent quitters (2 to 6 years since smoking cessation) than among current smokers (hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.32). The risk peaked 5 to 7 years after quitting and then gradually decreased. The temporary increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes was directly proportional to weight gain, and the risk was not increased among quitters without weight gain (P<0.001 for interaction). In contrast, quitters did not have a temporary increase in mortality, regardless of weight change after quitting. As compared with current smokers, the hazard ratios for death from cardiovascular disease were 0.69 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.88) among recent quitters without weight gain, 0.47 (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.63) among those with weight gain of 0.1 to 5.0 kg, 0.25 (95% CI, 0.15 to 0.42) among those with weight gain of 5.1 to 10.0 kg, 0.33 (95% CI, 0.18 to 0.60) among those with weight gain of more than 10.0 kg, and 0.50 (95% CI, 0.46 to 0.55) among longer‐term quitters (>6 years since smoking cessation). Similar associations were observed for death from any cause. Conclusions Smoking cessation that was accompanied by substantial weight gain was associated with an increased short‐term risk of type 2 diabetes but did not mitigate the benefits of quitting smoking on reducing cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health.)
Cross-lingual Knowledge Projection Using Machine Translation and Target-side Knowledge Base Completion

Considerable effort has been devoted to building commonsense knowledge bases. However, they are not available in many languages because the construction of KBs is expensive. To bridge the gap between languages, this paper addresses the problem of projecting the knowledge in English, a resource-rich language, into other languages, where the main challenge lies in projection ambiguity. This ambiguity is partially solved by machine translation and target-side knowledge base completion, but neither of them is adequately reliable by itself. We show their combination can project English commonsense knowledge into Japanese and Chinese with high precision. Our method also achieves a top-10 accuracy of 90% on the crowdsourced English–Japanese benchmark. Furthermore, we use our method to obtain 18,747 facts of accurate Japanese commonsense within a very short period.
Narrative Schema Stability in News Text

We investigate the stability of narrative schemas (Chambers and Jurafsky, 2009) automatically induced from a news corpus, representing recurring narratives in a corpus. If such techniques produce meaningful results, we should expect that small changes to the corpus will result in only small changes to the induced schemas. We describe experiments involving successive ablation of a corpus and cross-validation at each stage of ablation, on schemas generated by three different techniques over a general news corpus and topically-specific subcorpora. We also develop a method for evaluating the similarity between sets of narrative schemas, and thus the stability of the schema induction algorithms. This stability analysis affirms the heterogeneous/homogeneous document category hypothesis first presented in Simonson and Davis (2016), whose technique is problematically limited. Additionally, increased ablation leads to increasing stability, so the smaller the remaining corpus, the more stable schema generation appears to be. We surmise that as a corpus grows larger, novel and more varied narratives continue to appear and stability declines, though at some point this decline levels off as new additions to the corpus consist essentially of “more of the same. ”
Behavior Analysis of Human Locomotion in the Real World and Virtual Reality for the Manufacturing Industry

With the rise of immersive visualization techniques, many domains within the manufacturing industry are increasingly validating production processes in virtual reality (VR). The validity of the results gathered in such simulations, however, is widely unknown—in particular, with regard to human locomotion behavior. To bridge this gap, this article presents an experiment analyzing the behavioral disparity between human locomotion being performed without any equipment and in immersive VR while wearing a head-mounted display (HMD). The presented study (n = 30) is split up in three sections and covers linear walking, non-linear walking, and obstacle avoidance. Special care has been given to design the experiment so that findings are generally valid and can be applied to a wide range of domains beyond the manufacturing industry. The findings provide novel insights into the effect of immersive VR on specific gait parameters. In total, a comprehensive sample of 18.09km is analyzed. The results reveal that the HMD had a medium effect (up to 13%) on walking velocity, on non-linear walking toward an oriented target, and on clearance distance. The overall differences are modeled using multiple regression models, thus allowing the general usage within various domains. Summarizing, it can be concluded that VR can be used to analyze and plan human locomotion; however, specific details may have to be adjusted to transfer findings to the real world.
Effect of a Small Physiological Electric Field on Angiogenic Activity in First-Trimester Extravillous Trophoblast Cells

Electrical stimulation induces significant angiogenesis in vivo. We have shown that electrical stimulation of trophoblast cells has important functions in aspects of angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of a direct current electrical field on trophoblast angiogenic tube formation. A 6-hour exposure to electric fields ranging from 50 to 150 mV/mm dose dependently increased tube growth and network formation. Additionally, the effect was time dependent, with increased tube formation occurring between 4 and 8 hours, indicating stimulation of trophoblast cell angiogenesis. Electrical fields of small physiological magnitude stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression by trophoblast cells in the culture. Electric field treatment also resulted in activation of Akt, while the activity of extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase was not significantly changed. Pretreatment with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 inhibitor, SU1498, resulted in potent inhibition of tube growth, and the Akt inhibitor, MK-2206 2HCl, significantly reduced electric field-stimulated tubulogenesis. These data suggest the importance of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway during electric field-induced trophoblastic angiogenesis. This novel evidence indicates that endogenous electrical fields may promote angiogenesis of trophoblast cells by stimulating the VEGFR signaling pathway.
Enriching Word Embeddings with Domain Knowledge for Readability Assessment

In this paper, we present a method which learns the word embedding for readability assessment. For the existing word embedding models, they typically focus on the syntactic or semantic relations of words, while ignoring the reading difficulty, thus they may not be suitable for readability assessment. Hence, we provide the knowledge-enriched word embedding (KEWE), which encodes the knowledge on reading difficulty into the representation of words. Specifically, we extract the knowledge on word-level difficulty from three perspectives to construct a knowledge graph, and develop two word embedding models to incorporate the difficulty context derived from the knowledge graph to define the loss functions. Experiments are designed to apply KEWE for readability assessment on both English and Chinese datasets, and the results demonstrate both effectiveness and potential of KEWE.
Neural Machine Translation Incorporating Named Entity

This study proposes a new neural machine translation (NMT) model based on the encoder-decoder model that incorporates named entity (NE) tags of source-language sentences. Conventional NMT models have two problems enumerated as follows: (i) they tend to have difficulty in translating words with multiple meanings because of the high ambiguity, and (ii) these models’abilitytotranslatecompoundwordsseemschallengingbecausetheencoderreceivesaword, a part of the compound word, at each time step. To alleviate these problems, the encoder of the proposed model encodes the input word on the basis of its NE tag at each time step, which could reduce the ambiguity of the input word. Furthermore,the encoder introduces a chunk-level LSTM layer over a word-level LSTM layer and hierarchically encodes a source-language sentence to capture a compound NE as a chunk on the basis of the NE tags. We evaluate the proposed model on an English-to-Japanese translation task with the ASPEC, and English-to-Bulgarian and English-to-Romanian translation tasks with the Europarl corpus. The evaluation results show that the proposed model achieves up to 3.11 point improvement in BLEU.
Joint Learning from Labeled and Unlabeled Data for Information Retrieval

Recently, a significant number of studies have focused on neural information retrieval (IR) models. One category of works use unlabeled data to train general word embeddings based on term proximity, which can be integrated into traditional IR models. The other category employs labeled data (e.g. click-through data) to train end-to-end neural IR models consisting of layers for target-specific representation learning. The latter idea accounts better for the IR task and is favored by recent research works, which is the one we will follow in this paper. We hypothesize that general semantics learned from unlabeled data can complement task-specific representation learned from labeled data of limited quality, and that a combination of the two is favorable. To this end, we propose a learning framework which can benefit from both labeled and more abundant unlabeled data for representation learning in the context of IR. Through a joint learning fashion in a single neural framework, the learned representation is optimized to minimize both the supervised loss on query-document matching and the unsupervised loss on text reconstruction. Standard retrieval experiments on TREC collections indicate that the joint learning methodology leads to significant better performance of retrieval over several strong baselines for IR.
Learning with Noise-Contrastive Estimation: Easing training by learning to scale

Noise-Contrastive Estimation (NCE) is a learning criterion that is regularly used to train neural language models in place of Maximum Likelihood Estimation, since it avoids the computational bottleneck caused by the output softmax. In this paper, we analyse and explain some of the weaknesses of this objective function, linked to the mechanism of self-normalization, by closely monitoring comparative experiments. We then explore several remedies and modifications to propose tractable and efficient NCE training strategies. In particular, we propose to make the scaling factor a trainable parameter of the model, and to use the noise distribution to initialize the output bias. These solutions, yet simple, yield stable and competitive performances in either small and large scale language modelling tasks.