Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning Scene Flow in 3D Point Clouds with Noisy Pseudo Labels

We propose a novel scene flow method that captures 3D motions from point clouds without relying on ground-truth scene flow annotations. Due to the irregularity and sparsity of point clouds, it is expensive and time-consuming to acquire ground-truth scene flow annotations. Some state-of-the-art approaches train scene flow networks in a self-supervised learning manner via approximating pseudo scene flow labels from point clouds. However, these methods fail to achieve the performance level of fully supervised methods, due to the limitations of point cloud such as sparsity and lacking color information. To provide an alternative, we propose a novel approach that utilizes monocular RGB images and point clouds to generate pseudo scene flow labels for training scene flow networks. Our pseudo label generation module infers pseudo scene labels for point clouds by jointly leveraging rich appearance information in monocular images and geometric information of point clouds. To further reduce the negative effect of noisy pseudo labels on the training, we propose a noisy-label-aware training scheme by exploiting the geometric relations of points. Experiment results show that our method not only outperforms state-of-the-art self-supervised approaches, but also outperforms some supervised approaches that use accurate ground-truth flows.
CRGC - A Practical Framework for Constructing Reusable Garbled Circuits

In this work, we introduce two schemes to construct reusable garbled circuits (RGCs) in the semi-honest setting. Our completely reusable garbled circuit (CRGC) scheme allows the generator (party A) to construct and send an obfuscated boolean circuit along with an encoded input to the evaluator (party B). In contrast to Yao's Garbled Circuit protocol, B can securely evaluate the same CRGC with an arbitrary number of inputs. As a tradeoff, CRGCs predictably leak some input bits of A to B. We also propose a partially reusable garbled circuit (PRGC) scheme that divides a circuit into reusable and non-reusable sections. PRGCs do not leak input bits of A. We benchmark our CRGC implementation against the state-of-the-art garbled circuit libraries EMP SH2PC and TinyGarble2. Using our framework, evaluating a CRGC is up to twenty times faster, albeit with weaker privacy guarantees, than evaluating an equivalent garbled circuit constructed by the two existing libraries. Our open-source library can convert any C++ function to a CRGC at approx. 80 million gates per second and repeatedly evaluate a CRGC at approx. 350 million gates per second. Additionally, a compressed CRGC is approx. 75% smaller in file size than the unobfuscated boolean circuit.
Local Measurement Based Robust Voltage Stability Index & Identification of Voltage Collapse Onset

This paper addresses the problem of real-time monitoring of long-term voltage instability (LTVI) by using local field measurements. Existing local measurement-based methods use Thevenin equivalent parameter estimation that is sensitive to the noise in measurements. For solving this issue, we avoid the Thevenin approach by projecting the power flow equations as circles to develop local static-voltage stability indicator (LS-VSI) that is robust to measurement noises. The proposed method is an attractive option for practical implementation because of its decentralized nature, robustness to noise, and realistic modeling. Next, we utilize LS-VSI to propose a new local dynamic - VSI (LD-VSI) to identify the LTVI triggered by large disturbances and load tap changer dynamics. LD-VSI can identify not only the onset of instability with an alarm but also the voltage collapse point (VCP). Extensive numerical validation comparing LS-VSI with existing methods is presented on IEEE 30-bus and larger test systems like 2000-bus Texas synthetic grid to validate the robustness, accuracy, and situational awareness feature. We also verify the LD-VSI behavior on the Nordic power grid using PSSE dynamic simulation. When compared to existing methods, we observe that LD-VSI is not only more robust to measurement noise but also can identify VCP.
Trust in AI and Its Role in the Acceptance of AI Technologies

Abstract As AI-enhanced technologies become common in a variety of domains, there is an increasing need to define and examine the trust that users have in such technologies. Given the progress in the development of AI, a correspondingly sophisticated understanding of trust in the technology is required. This paper addresses this need by explaining the role of trust in the intention to use AI technologies. Study 1 examined the role of trust in the use of AI voice assistants based on survey responses from college students. A path analysis confirmed that trust had a significant effect the on intention to use AI, which operated through perceived usefulness and participants’ attitude toward voice assistants. In Study 2, using data from a representative sample of the U.S. population, different dimensions of trust were examined using exploratory factor analysis, which yielded two dimensions: human-like trust and functionality trust. The results of the path analyses from Study 1 were replicated in Study 2, confirming the indirect effect of trust and the effects of perceived usefulness, ease of use, and attitude on intention to use. Further, both dimensions of trust shared a similar pattern of effects within the model, with functionality-related trust exhibiting a greater total impact on usage intention than human-like trust. Overall, the role of trust in the acceptance of AI technologies was significant across both studies. This research contributes to the advancement and application of the TAM in AI-related applications and offers a multidimensional measure of trust that can be utilized in the future study of trustworthy AI.
Inverse proportionality between height and duration of epidemic peaks not observed for the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan

The height of the epidemic peaks varied ten-fold, but the duration was almost constant independent of the peak height in the six times COVID-19 epidemics in Japan over the past two years. The observed relation between the peak height and duration contradicts the inverse proportionality, which is the essential conclusion derived from mathematical models for infectious diseases. We found that the peak height was inversely proportional to the number of rhinovirus patients. The literature has revealed the mechanism behind our found power of rhinovirus suppressing COVID-19. We discuss that the critical flaw of current mathematical models originates in the absence of the 0th power term of the number of infected people in the Kermack and McKendrick equation.
Association of pneumonia with concentrations of virulent Rhodococcus equi in fecal swabs of foals before and after intrabronchial infection with virulent R. equi

Abstract Background Intragastric administration of virulent Rhodococcus equi protects foals against subsequent experimental intrabronchial (IB) infection, but it is unknown whether R. equi naturally ingested by foals contributes to their susceptibility to pneumonia. Hypothesis Fecal concentration of virulent R. equi before IB infection with R. equi is positively associated with protection from pneumonia in foals. Animals Twenty‐one university‐owned foals. Methods Samples were collected from experimental studies. Five foals were gavaged with live, virulent R. equi (LVRE) at age 2 and 4 days; the remaining 16 foals were not gavaged with LVRE (controls). Fecal swabs were collected from foals at ages 28 days, immediately before IB infection. Foals were monitored for clinical signs of pneumonia, and fecal swabs were collected approximately 2 weeks after IB infection. Swabs were tested by quantitative PCR for concentration of virulent R. equi (ie, copy numbers of the virulence‐associated protein A gene [vapA] per 100 ng fecal DNA). Results Fecal concentrations of virulent R. equi (vapA) before IB infection were significantly (P < .05) lower in control foals (25 copies/100 ng DNA [95% CI, 5 to 118 copies/100 ng DNA) that developed pneumonia (n = 8) than in healthy control foals (n = 8; 280 copies/100 ng DNA; 95% CI, 30 to 2552 copies/100 ng DNA) or those gavaged with LVRE (707 copies/100 ng DNA, 95% CI, 54 to 9207 copies/100 ng DNA). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Greater natural ingestion of LVRE might contribute to protection against pneumonia among foals.
Cochlear implant aesthetics and its impact on stigma, social interaction and quality of life: a mixed-methods study protocol

Introduction Awareness of the benefits of cochlear implants is low, and barriers such as fear of surgery and ongoing rehabilitation have been noted. Perceived stigma associated with hearing loss also plays a key role, with many adults not wanting to appear old or be identified as a person with a disability. In effect, a cochlear implant makes deafness visible. New technologies have led to a smaller external profile for some types of cochlear implants, but qualitative assessments of benefit have not been explored. This study will examine cochlear implant aesthetics and cosmetics, and its impact on perceived stigma, social interactions, communication and quality of life. A particular focus will be the examination of totally implantable device concepts. A secondary aim is to understand what research techniques are best suited and most appealing for cochlear implant recipients, to assist in future study design and data collection methods. Methods and analysis This study utilises a mixed-methods design. Three datasets will be collected from each participant with an expected sample size of 10–15 participants to allow for data saturation of themes elicited. Each participant will complete a demographic questionnaire, a quickfire survey (a short concise questionnaire on a topic of research familiarity and preference) and a semi-structured interview. Questionnaire and quickfire survey data will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Interviews will be transcribed and analysed thematically. All participants will be adults with more than 1 year of experience using cochlear implants. Ethics and dissemination This study has been granted ethical approval from Macquarie University (HREC: 520211056232432) and meets the requirements set out in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Study findings will be disseminated widely through international peer-reviewed journal articles, public and academic presentations, plain language summaries for participants and an executive summary for the project funder. This work was supported by Cochlear Limited (Cochlear Ltd). The funder will have no role in conducting or reporting on the study.
Potential roles of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors in attenuating cardiac arrhythmias in diabetes and heart failure

Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors are antidiabetic drugs that have been shown to exert cardiovascular benefits. Their benefits including a reduction of cardiovascular events and worsening heart failure have been extended to nondiabetic patients with high‐risk. Although both heart failure and diabetes are known to increase risk of cardiac arrhythmias, the effects of SGLT‐2 inhibitors on arrhythmia reduction and their underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. This review aims to summarize the current available evidence ranging from basic research to clinical reports regarding the potential benefits of SGLT‐2 inhibitors against cardiac arrhythmias. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies using various models including heart failure and diabetes are comprehensively summarized to examine the evidence of how SGLT‐2 inhibitors affect cardiac action potential, cellular ion currents, calcium ion homeostasis, and cardiac mitochondrial function. Clinical reports investigating the association between SGLT‐2 inhibitors and arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias are also comprehensively summarized. Valuable information obtained from this review can be used to encourage further clinical investigations to warrant the potential use of SGLT‐2 inhibitors against cardiac arrhythmias in both diabetic and heart failure settings.
Use of automated artificial intelligence to predict the need for orthodontic extractions

Objective To develop and explore the usefulness of an artificial intelligence system for the prediction of the need for dental extractions during orthodontic treatments based on gender, model variables, and cephalometric records. Methods The gender, model variables, and radiographic records of 214 patients were obtained from an anonymized data bank containing 314 cases treated by two experienced orthodontists. The data were processed using an automated machine learning software (Auto-WEKA) and used to predict the need for extractions. Results By generating and comparing several prediction models, an accuracy of 93.9% was achieved for determining whether extraction is required or not based on the model and radiographic data. When only model variables were used, an accuracy of 87.4% was attained, whereas a 72.7% accuracy was achieved if only cephalometric information was used. Conclusions The use of an automated machine learning system allows the generation of orthodontic extraction prediction models. The accuracy of the optimal extraction prediction models increases with the combination of model and cephalometric data for the analytical process.
Household food insecurity is associated with obesogenic health behaviours among a low-income cohort of pregnant women in Boston, MA

Abstract Objective: To examine associations of household food insecurity with health and obesogenic behaviours among pregnant women enrolled in an obesity prevention programme in the greater Boston area. Design: Cross-sectional evaluation. Data were collected from structured questionnaires that included a validated two-item screener to assess household food insecurity. We used separate multivariable linear and logistic regression models to quantify the association between household food insecurity and maternal health behaviours (daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food, physical activity, screen time, and sleep), mental health outcomes (depression and stress), hyperglycaemia status and gestational weight gain. Setting: Three community health centres that primarily serve low-income and racial/ethnic minority patients in Revere, Chelsea and Dorchester, Massachusetts. Participants: Totally, 858 pregnant women participating in the First 1,000 Days program, a quasi-experimental trial. Results: Approximately 21 % of women reported household food insecurity. In adjusted analysis, household food insecurity was associated with low fruit and vegetable intake (β = −0·31 daily servings; 95 % CI −0·52, −0·10), more screen time (β = 0·32 daily hours; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·61), less sleep (β = −0·32 daily hours; 95 % CI −0·63, −0·01), and greater odds of current (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4·42; 95 % CI 2·33, 8·35) or past depression (AOR 3·01; 95 % CI 2·08, 4·35), and high stress (AOR 2·91; 95 % CI 1·98, 4·28). Conclusions: In our sample of mostly low-income, racial/ethnic minority pregnant women, household food insecurity was associated with mental health and behaviours known to increase the likelihood of obesity.
Drug Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Are We There Yet?

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Impact of an Enhanced Patient Care Intervention on Viral Suppression Among Patients Living With HIV in Kenya

Background: Effective patient-centered interventions are needed to promote patient engagement in HIV care. We assessed the impact of a patient-centered intervention referred to as enhanced patient care (EPC) on viral suppression among unsuppressed patients living with HIV in Kenya. Setting: Two rural HIV clinics within the Academic Model Providing Access to Health care. Methods: This was a 6-month pilot randomized control trial. The EPC intervention incorporated continuity of clinician–patient relationships, enhanced treatment dialog, and improved patients' clinic appointment scheduling. Provider–patient communication training was offered to all clinicians in the intervention site. We targeted 360 virally unsuppressed patients: (1) 240 in the intervention site with 120 randomly assigned to provider–patient communication (PPC) training + EPC and 120 to PPC training + standard of care (SOC) and (2) 120 in the control site receiving SOC. Logistic regression analysis was applied using R (version 3.6.3). Results: A total of 328 patients were enrolled: 110 (92%) PPC training + EPC, 110 (92%) PPC training + SOC, and 108 (90%) SOC. Participants' mean age at baseline was 48 years (SD: 12.05 years). Viral suppression 6 months postintervention was 84.4% among those in PPC training + EPC, 83.7% in PPC training + SOC, and 64.4% in SOC (P ≤ 0.001). Compared with participants in PPC training + EPC, those in SOC had lower odds of being virally suppressed 6 months postintervention (odds ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.18 to 0.72). Conclusions: PPC training may have had the greatest impact on patient viral suppression. Hence, adequate training and effective PPC implementation strategies are needed.
Neural Correlates of Self-Reported Knee Function in Individuals After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common knee injury among athletes and physically active adults. Despite surgical reconstruction and extensive rehabilitation, reinjuries are common and disability levels are high, even years after therapy and return to activity. Prolonged knee dysfunction may result in part from unresolved neuromuscular deficits of the surrounding joint musculature in response to injury. Indeed, “upstream” neurological adaptations occurring after injury may explain these persistent functional deficits. Despite evidence for injury consequences extending beyond the joint to the nervous system, the link between neurophysiological impairments and patient-reported measures of knee function remains unclear. Hypothesis: Patterns of brain activation for knee control are related to measures of patient-reported knee function in individuals after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R). Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, participants with unilateral ACL-R (n = 25; 10 men, 15 women) underwent task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging testing. Participants performed repeated cycles of open-chain knee flexion/extension. Neural activation patterns during the movement task were quantified using blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) signals. Regions of interest were generated using the Juelich Histological Brain Atlas. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to determine the relationship between mean BOLD signal within each brain region and self-reported knee function level, as measured by the International Knee Documentation Committee index. Partial correlations were also calculated after controlling for time from surgery and sex. Results: Patient-reported knee function was positively and moderately correlated with the ipsilateral secondary somatosensory cortex (r = 0.57, P = 0.005) and the ipsilateral supplementary motor area (r = 0.51, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Increased ipsilateral secondary sensorimotor cortical activity is related to higher perceived knee function. Clinical Relevance: Central nervous system mechanisms for knee control are related to subjective levels of knee function after ACL-R. Increased neural activity may reflect central neuroplastic strategies to preserve knee functionality after traumatic injury.
The ability of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to indicate motor difficulties in infants in primary care

ABSTRACT Introduction Delayed achievement of motor milestones may be an early indicator of motor difficulties. Parent-reported questionnaires may serve as an efficient, low-cost screening to identify infants in need of further clinical assessment, and thus be a helpful tool in busy health care centers. Purpose To examine the ability of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, second edition (ASQ-2) to indicate motor difficulties in infants using the Infant Motor Profile (IMP) as the reference standard. Methods A cross-sectional design was applied to examine the correlation between parent-reported data of the ASQ-2 and data from physiotherapist assessment using IMP. Included were 432 mainly low-risk infants aged 3–12 months from primary care. Results Overall, ASQ-2 gross and fine motor scores did not correlate well with the IMP total or domain scores. The ASQ-2 gross motor cut point (> 2SD below the mean), showed 34.3% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity using the 15th percentile from IMP performance domain as reference standard. The positive predictive value to indicate motor difficulties was 48%. Conclusion The motor domains of ASQ-2 have poor ability to identify infants with motor difficulties as indicated by their IMP scores in low-risk infants.