Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Odometry with Drift-Free Rotation Estimation Using Indoor Scene Regularities

We propose a hybrid visual odometry algorithm to achieve accurate and low-drift state estimation by separately estimating the rotational and translational camera motion. Previous methods usually estimate the six degrees of freedom camera motion jointly without distinction between rotational and translational motion. However, inaccuracy in the rotation estimate is a main source of drift in visual odometry. We design a hybrid visual odometry algorithm which separately estimates the rotational and translational motion to achieve improved accuracy and low drift error. To improve the accuracy of rotational motion estimation, we exploit orthogonal planar structures, such as walls, floors, and ceilings, common in man-made environments. We track orthogonal frames with an efficient SO(3)-constrained mean-shift algorithm, resulting in drift-free rotation estimates. Based on the absolute camera orientation, we newly propose a way to compute the translational motion by minimizing the de-rotated reprojection error with the tracked features. We compare the proposed algorithm with other state-of-the-art visual odometry methods and demonstrate an improved performance and lower drift error.
Adipokines and C-peptide in overweight and obese pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of adipokines such as adiponectin, resistin, leptin as well as C-peptide in overweight and obese pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS The adipokines and C-peptide concentrations were measured in the group of 38 overweight/obese pregnant women (BMI > 25 kg/m2) and in 42 pregnant women of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) with ELISA tests between 24th and 34th weeks of gestation. RESULTS The overweight/obese women compared to lean ones were characterized by significantly higher concentrations of leptin (43.44 ± 31.41 vs. 21.29 ± 12.67 ng/mL, p = 0.0001) and C-peptide (2.77 ± 1.88 vs. 2.25 ± 1.42 ng/mL, p = 0.034). There were no significant differences between groups in resistin (17.39 ± 7.59 vs. 15.76 ± 6.64 ng/mL, NS) and adiponectin (6.93 ± 3.52 vs. 8.07 ± 6.53 μg/mL, NS) levels. In the overweight/obese patients, no relationships between the adipokines, C-peptide and CRP concentrations were found. BMI was negatively correlated with the resistin levels (R = -0.406, p = 0.011). The significant correlation between leptin and C-peptide concentrations was observed in the study group (R = 0.517, p = 0.012). In the control group, the negative correlation between adiponectin concentrations and BMI was shown (R = -0.446, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS The higher levels of leptin in the overweight and obese pregnant women seem to reflect the leptin resistance condition and the higher levels of C-peptide in this group is suggestive for hyperinsulinemia. The positive correlation between C-peptide and leptin levels but not with resistin and adiponectin might confirm the role of leptin in the hyperinsulinemia development in overweight and obesity during pregnancy.
It’s in the mix: Reassortment of segmented viral genomes

Segmentation of viral genomes allows exchange of intact genes between related viruses when they coinfect the same cell (Fig 1). This exchange is a type of recombination called reassortment. Classical recombination involves the joining of nucleic acid sequences derived from two different templates into one chimeric product. During reassortment, however, entire gene segments are swapped to give rise to chimeric genomes. In both cases, novel genotypes are formed, giving the potential for viruses to evolve. As with genetic change through mutation, most reassortment events yield progeny viruses that are less fit than either parent (Fig 2). Occasionally, however, reassortment gives rise to a combination of genes particularly well suited to a given set of selection pressures, and increased fitness results. Open in a separate window Fig 1 Reassortment requires viruses to meet on multiple scales. For reassortment to occur between viruses of two distinct genotypes, these viruses must infect the same host (A) and the same tissue within that host (B). Either the inoculating viruses or their progeny must come together within the same cell (C). Finally, the coinfecting viral genomes must mix within the coinfected cell, and replicated segments must be copackaged, processes which may be limited by compartmentalization of viral replication and selectivity of genome incorporation, respectively (D). When all of these criteria are met, progeny viruses of both reassortant and parental viral genotypes will emerge from the cell (E).
Labelless Scene Classification with Semantic Matching

Using high-level representation of images, e.g., objects and discriminative patches, for scene classiﬁcation has recently drawn increasing attention. Compared with low-level image features, the high-level features carry rich semantic information that is useful for improving semantic scene classiﬁcation. Nevertheless, acquiring scene level annotations remains a bottleneck for automatic scene classiﬁcation, although plenty of related auxiliary resources such as images with object tags are free available on the Internet. In this paper we propose a simple and novel methodology that exploits the rich auxiliary image and text resources to perform labelless automatic scene classiﬁcation without acquiring training images annotated with scene labels. The key of our methodology is to utilize existing object detectors to represent images in terms of high-level objects and then automatically categorize them based on the semantic relatedness of the object names and scene labels. We further incorporate a label propagation step to reﬁne the automatic scene categorization results. Experiments are conducted on three standard scene classiﬁcation datasets. The results show that our labelless semantic method can achieve reasonable performance and alleviate considerable amount of scene annotation effort by comparing with supervised scene categorization baselines.
Relating the ANGELIC Methodology and ASPIC+

© 2018 The authors and IOS Press. We relate the ANGELIC methodology for acquiring and encapsulating domain knowledge to the ASPIC+ framework for structured argumentation. In so doing we hope to facilitate the building of applications in concrete domains by linking a successful methodology to a proven theoretical framework. We use an example from the ASPIC+ literature to illustrate the relationship.
Evaluation of Urine Choline Levels in Women With and Without Overactive Bladder Syndrome

Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether levels of choline (Ch) differ in women with and without overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Methods New patients were evaluated using the overactive bladder symptom score; Medical, Epidemiologic, and Social Aspects of Aging (MESA) urgency incontinence questionnaire; and Impact Questionnaire 7 and provided a urine sample. Patients were stratified into asymptomatic controls, scoring 0 on overactive bladder symptom score and the MESA questionnaire, and patients with OAB and urgency incontinence (OAB-wet). Patients with conditions predisposing to OAB or had a history of OAB treatment were excluded. Choline detection was accomplished using a commercially available kit. Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher exact test were used to express differences between groups. Spearman ρ correlation was used to determine the relationship between Ch and questionnaire scores. Logistic regression was used to identify significant variables associated with OAB. Results Sixty-three women were included in the final analysis. Patients with OAB-wet were older (P = 0.001), more likely to be obese (P = 0.04), had greater apical descent (P = 0.02), were more likely to be postmenopausal (P = 0.01), and were more likely to have stress incontinence (P = 0.005). Choline was 34.8% lower in OAB compared with the controls (P = 0.014). Lower Ch levels were associated with higher MESA (Spearman ρ = −0.311, P = 0.03). After logistic regression, lower Ch (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96–0.98), age (aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08–1.18), and body mass index (aOR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01–1.18) were significantly associated with OAB-wet. Conclusions Choline levels are significantly decreased in women complaining of OAB with urgency incontinence, and lower levels are associated with higher MESA scores.
Efficacy of Online Multi-Player Versus Single-Player Exergames on Adherence Behaviors Among Children: A Nonrandomized Control Trial.

Background Exergames have the potential to significantly increase physical activity in children. Studies to date have shown mixed results and often rely on self-reported data. Multi-player gaming may augment participation. Purpose The purpose of the study was to examine children's adherence behaviors in multi-player online exergames compared to a single-player condition within a home environment. Methods Seventy-two children, aged 9-12 years, who were not meeting physical activity guidelines at baseline, were allocated to the multi-player or single-player condition. Six-week cycle-based exergaming trials took place 5 day/week in the early evening with online game supervision. Bike use was objectively recorded via game logs. Results Adherence was high throughout the trial. Play session duration was M = 37.65 (SD = 15.39) min/day, and overall play duration was M = 133.45 (SD = 81.27) min in Week 1 and M = 77.23 (SD = 84.09) min in Week 6. Total physical activity was significantly higher at 6 weeks compared to baseline (p = .01, ηp2 = .13). There was no significant difference in play duration between conditions (p = .57, ηp2 = .01). Conclusion This trial objectively demonstrated that exergames can promote high adherence levels. Multi-player capabilities did not augment adherence levels. Introducing new games throughout the trial may have motivated participants to keep playing, regardless of whether play was against real or artificial opponents. Weekly play duration decreased due to a significant drop in play frequency. For children who enjoy exergames, innovative solutions to promote more frequent exergame play are needed. Clinical This Registration NCT02032667.
Human Action Recognition Using A Multi-Modal Hybrid Deep Learning Model

Human action recognition is a challenging problem, especially in the presence of multiple actors and/or multiple scene views. In this paper, multi-modal integration and a hybrid deep learning architecture are deployed in a unified action recognition model. The model incorporates two main types of modalities: 3D skeletons and images, which together capture the two main aspects of an action, which are the body motion and part shape. Instead of a mere fusion of the two types of modalities, the proposed model integrates them by focusing on specific parts of the body, whose locations are known from the 3D skeleton data. The proposed model combines both Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning architectures into a hybrid one. The model is called MCL, for (M)ulti-Modal (C)NN + (L)STM. MCL consists of two sub-models: CL1D and CL2D that simultaneously extract the spatial and temporal patterns for the two sought input modality types. Their decisions are combined to achieve better accuracy. In order to show the efficiency of the MCL model, its performance is evaluated on the large NTU-RGB+D dataset in two different evaluation scenarios: cross-subject and cross-view. The obtained recognition rates, 74.2 % in cross-subject and 81.4% in cross-view, are superior to the current state of the art results.
Optimal Billboard Deformation via 3D Voxel for Free-Viewpoint System

SUMMARY A free-viewpoint application has been developed that yields an immersive user experience. One of the simple free-viewpoint approaches called “billboard methods” is suitable for displaying a synthesized 3D view in a mobile device, but it su ﬀ ers from the limitation that a billboard should be positioned in only one position in the world. This fact gives users an unacceptable impression in the case where an object being shot is situated at multiple points. To solve this problem, we propose optimal deformation of the billboard. The deformation is designed as a mapping of grid points in the input billboard silhouette to produce an optimal silhouette from an accurate voxel model of the object. We formulate and solve this procedure as a nonlinear optimization problem based on a grid-point constraint and some a priori information. Our results show that the proposed method generates a synthesized virtual image having a nat-ural appearance and better objective score in terms of the silhouette and structural similarity.
Modifier genes for sudden cardiac death

Genetic conditions, even those associated with identical gene mutations, can present with variable clinical manifestations. One widely accepted explanation for this phenomenon is the existence of genetic factors capable of modifying the consequences of disease-causing mutations (modifier genes). Here, we address the concepts and principles by which genetic factors may be involved in modifying risk for cardiac arrhythmia, then discuss the current knowledge and interpretation of their contribution to clinical heterogeneity. We illustrate these concepts in the context of two important clinical conditions associated with risk for sudden cardiac death including a monogenic disorder (congenital long QT syndrome) in which the impact of modifier genes has been established, and a complex trait (life-threatening arrhythmias in acute myocardial infarction) for which the search for genetic modifiers of arrhythmic risk is more challenging. Advances in understanding the contribution of modifier genes to a higher or lower propensity towards sudden death should improve patient-specific risk stratification and be a major step towards precision medicine.
Interaction mapping of the Sec61 translocon identifies two Sec61α regions interacting with hydrophobic segments in translocating chains

Many proteins in organelles of the secretory pathway, as well as secretory proteins, are translocated across and inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane by the Sec61 translocon, a protein-conducting channel. The channel consists of 10 transmembrane (TM) segments of the Sec61α subunit and possesses an opening between TM2b and TM7, termed the lateral gate. Structural and biochemical analyses of complexes of Sec61 and its ortholog SecY have revealed that the lateral gate is the exit for signal sequences and TM segments of translocating polypeptides to the lipid bilayer and also involved in the recognition of such hydrophobic sequences. Moreover, even marginally hydrophobic (mH) segments insufficient for membrane integration can be transiently stalled in surrounding Sec61α regions and cross-linked to them, but how the Sec61 translocon accommodates these mH segments remains unclear. Here, we used Cys-scanned variants of human Sec61α expressed in cultured 293-H cells to examine which channel regions associate with mH segments. A TM segment in a ribosome-associated polypeptide was mainly cross-linked to positions at the lateral gate, whereas an mH segment in a nascent chain was cross-linked to the Sec61α pore-interior positions at TM5 and TM10, as well as the lateral gate. Of note, cross-linking at position 180 in TM5 of Sec61α was reduced by an I179A substitution. We therefore conclude that at least two Sec61α regions, the lateral gate and the pore-interior site around TM5, interact with mH segments and are involved in accommodating them.
Explaining Momentum and Value Simultaneously

This paper proposes a unified risk-based explanation for momentum profits and the value premium in a neoclassical investment-based model. Winner firms have higher short-term productivity and hence more negative exposures to the price of investment goods than loser firms as a result of greater investment plans. Value firms have lower long-term productivity and higher operating leverage and hence higher sensitivities to neutral productivity shocks than growth firms. The model reproduces the coexistence of momentum profits and the value premium, the failure of the unconditional capital asset pricing model, the predictability of momentum profits by market states, and the long-term reversal of momentum profits. Empirical tests confirm a negative price of risk for the shock to the relative price of investment goods. This paper was accepted by Neng Wang, finance.
Geodesic Clustering in Deep Generative Models

Deep generative models are tremendously successful in learning low-dimensional latent representations that well-describe the data. These representations, however, tend to much distort relationships between points, i.e. pairwise distances tend to not reflect semantic similarities well. This renders unsupervised tasks, such as clustering, difficult when working with the latent representations. We demonstrate that taking the geometry of the generative model into account is sufficient to make simple clustering algorithms work well over latent representations. Leaning on the recent finding that deep generative models constitute stochastically immersed Riemannian manifolds, we propose an efficient algorithm for computing geodesics (shortest paths) and computing distances in the latent space, while taking its distortion into account. We further propose a new architecture for modeling uncertainty in variational autoencoders, which is essential for understanding the geometry of deep generative models. Experiments show that the geodesic distance is very likely to reflect the internal structure of the data.
Chemotherapy for Fighting Schistosomiasis: Past, Present and Future

Chemotherapy based on repeated doses of praziquantel remains the most effective control strategy against schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by platyhelminths of the genus Schistosoma spp. Its long‐term use, however, raises serious concerns about drug resistance against praziquantel. Therefore, it is generally acknowledged that alternative treatment options are urgently needed. This Review summarizes data on relinquished drugs as well as recent advances in the area of antischistosomal compounds from a medicinal chemistry point of view. Furthermore, insights into the structure–activity relationships of each class of compounds are presented including in vitro and in vivo data, if available. Although many compounds have demonstrated good antischistosomal activity in vitro, they offer little promise to replace praziquantel. Nevertheless, the race to develop novel antischistosomal agents is ongoing.
FLOWERING LOCUS T3 Controls Spikelet Initiation But Not Floral Development1[OPEN]

FLOWERING LOCUS T3 (FT3) promotes spikelet formation but not floral development under long- and short-day conditions in barley. In many angiosperm plants, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-like genes have duplicated and functionally diverged to control different reproductive traits or stages. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) carries several FT-like genes, the functions of which are not well understood. We characterized the role of HvFT3 in the vegetative and reproductive development of barley. Overexpression of HvFT3 accelerated the initiation of spikelet primordia and the early reproductive development of spring barley independently of the photoperiod. However, HvFT3 overexpression did not accelerate floral development, and inflorescences aborted under short days, suggesting that HvFT3 controls spikelet initiation but not floral development. Analysis of a nonfunctional HvFT3 allele supported the specific effects of this gene on spikelet initiation independent of the photoperiod. HvFT3 caused the up-regulation of the winter and spring alleles of the vernalization gene VERNALIZATION1 (VRN-H1) in nonvernalized plants and was therefore dominant over the repressive effects of the vernalization pathway. Global transcriptome analysis in developing main shoot apices of the transgenic lines showed that HvFT3 modified the expression of genes involved in hormone synthesis and response, of floral homeotic genes, and of barley row-type genes SIX-ROWED-SPIKE1 (VRS1), SIX-ROWED-SPIKE4 (VRS4), and INTERMEDIUM C. Understanding the specific functions of individual FT-like genes will allow modification of individual phases of preanthesis development and thereby adaptation to different environments and improved yield.
Relation between single-molecule properties and phase behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins

Significance Some proteins can undergo phase separation in vivo to form membraneless organelles with distinct physiological functions. In many cases, the driving force is believed to be the intrinsically disordered domains that lack regular structural features and can phase separate in vitro. Relating protein sequences to phase-separation propensity is the goal of this work. Toward this goal, we highlight the connection between the temperature where a single chain collapses, the temperature where interactions within a dilute solution favor self-association, and the critical temperature of phase separation. Our results show that these characteristic temperatures are highly correlated, suggesting that experiments performed in dilute conditions may be used to predict phase separation. Proteins that undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) have been shown to play a critical role in many physiological functions through formation of condensed liquid-like assemblies that function as membraneless organelles within biological systems. To understand how different proteins may contribute differently to these assemblies and their functions, it is important to understand the molecular driving forces of phase separation and characterize their phase boundaries and material properties. Experimental studies have shown that intrinsically disordered regions of these proteins are a major driving force, as many of them undergo LLPS in isolation. Previous work on polymer solution phase behavior suggests a potential correspondence between intramolecular and intermolecular interactions that can be leveraged to discover relationships between single-molecule properties and phase boundaries. Here, we take advantage of a recently developed coarse-grained framework to calculate the θ temperature Tθ, the Boyle temperature TB, and the critical temperature Tc for 20 diverse protein sequences, and we show that these three properties are highly correlated. We also highlight that these correlations are not specific to our model or simulation methodology by comparing between different pairwise potentials and with data from other work. We, therefore, suggest that smaller simulations or experiments to determine Tθ or TB can provide useful insights into the corresponding phase behavior.