Full Labelling Research Articles

A survey on weakly supervised 3D point cloud semantic segmentation

AbstractWith the popularity and advancement of 3D point cloud data acquisition technologies and sensors, research into 3D point clouds has made considerable strides based on deep learning. The semantic segmentation of point clouds, a crucial step in comprehending 3D scenes, has drawn much attention. The accuracy and effectiveness of fully supervised semantic segmentation tasks have greatly improved with the increase in the number of accessible datasets. However, these achievements rely on time‐consuming and expensive full labelling. In solve of these existential issues, research on weakly supervised learning has recently exploded. These methods train neural networks to tackle 3D semantic segmentation tasks with fewer point labels. In addition to providing a thorough overview of the history and current state of the art in weakly supervised semantic segmentation of 3D point clouds, a detailed description of the most widely used data acquisition sensors, a list of publicly accessible benchmark datasets, and a look ahead to potential future development directions is provided.

Editorial and News

Editorial and News

Position statement: The need for EU legislation to require disclosure and labelling of the composition of medical devices.

BackgroundIn recent years, skin reactions secondary to the use of medical devices (MD), such as allergic contact dermatitis have increasingly been observed (e.g. to continuous blood sugar monitoring systems, insulin pumps, wound dressings, medical gloves, etc.): this is regarded as a developing epidemic. Lack of labelling of the composition of MD, as well as frequent lack of cooperation of manufacturers to disclose this relevant information, even when contacted by the clinician for the individual case of an established adverse reaction, significantly impede patient care.ObjectivesTo advocate for full ingredient labelling in the implementation of EU regulation for MD.MethodsThis position paper reviews the scientific literature, the current regulatory framework adopted for MD to date, and the likely impact, including some costs data in case of the absence of such labelling.ResultsEfforts made by several scientific teams, who are trying to identify the culprit of such adverse effects, either via asking for cooperation from companies, or using costly chemical analyses of MD, can only partly, and with considerable delay, compensate for the absence of meaningful information on the composition of MD; hence, patient management is compromised. Indeed, without knowing the chemical substances present, physicians are unable to inform patients about which substances they should avoid, and which alternative MD may be suitable/tolerated.ConclusionThere is an urgent need for full and accurate labelling of the chemical composition of MD in contact with the human body.

Semi-Supervised Classification of the State of Operation in Self-Lubricating Journal Bearings Using a Random Forest Classifier

For a tribological experiment involving a steel shaft sliding in a self-lubricating bronze bearing, a semi-supervised machine learning method for the classification of the state of operation is proposed. During the translatory oscillating motion, the system may undergo different states of operation from normal to critical, showing self-recovering behaviour. A Random Forest classifier was trained on individual cycles from the lateral force data from four distinct experimental runs in order to distinguish between four states of operation. The labelling of the individual cycles proved to be crucial for a high prediction accuracy of the trained RF classifier. The proposed semi-supervised approach allows choosing within a range between automatically generated labels and full manual labelling by an expert user. The algorithm was at the current state used for ex post classification of the state of operation. Considering the results from the ex post analysis and providing a sufficiently sized training dataset, online classification of the state of operation of a system will be possible. This will allow taking active countermeasures to stabilise the system or to terminate the experiment before major damage occurs.

Adverse cutaneous reaction to diabetic glucose sensors and insulin pumps: Irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis?

Adverse cutaneous reactions to diabetes medical devices (glucose sensors and insulin pumps) are described, notably allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) with isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) and N,N dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) as the main allergen. To determine if all cases of adverse cutaneous reactions observed with diabetes medical devices (ie FreeStyle Libre, Enlite sensors or insulin pumps), referred to our department with suspected allergies are confirmed as ACD. Fifty-two patients who presented skin reactions to diabetes medical devices were patch tested with the European baseline series, a plastic and glues series, a (meth) acrylates series, a piece of the adhesive part of the device, as well as IBOA 0.1% and DMAA 0.1% pet. Seventeen patients had no positive reaction to IBOA nor to the adhesive part of the device; 11 of these also tested with DMAA with negative result. No other relevant allergen was identified. Some cutaneous reactions, otherwise very similar to those of patients sensitized to IBOA, can be explained either by the presence of an untested allergen not yet discovered, or by irritant contact dermatitis. Therefore, European legislation on the full labelling of ingredients by manufacturers, in order to facilitate the identification of allergens and irritants, is imperative.

Allergens – food service responsibilities

Allergens – food service responsibilities

Contact allergy to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone in north-eastern Italy: a temporal trend from 1996 to 2016.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI) (Kathon® CG) is a common preservative used in industrial products, owing to its strong biocide effect. Contact allergy to MCI/MI has been reported in different occupations, including mechanics, hairdressers and healthcare workers. To retrospectively analyse the temporal trend of MCI/MI sensitization in north-eastern Italy and to evaluate the associations with occupations in our geographical area. From 1996 to 2016, 27381 patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested in eight departments of Dermatology or Occupational Medicine in north-eastern Italy. Individual characteristics were collected through a standardized questionnaire. The overall prevalence of MCI/MI sensitization was 4.2%, with the highest prevalence found in women and in patients younger than 25years. MCI/MI sensitization was significantly associated with atopic eczema (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10-1.70), hand/forearm dermatitis (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.36) and face dermatitis (OR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.40). There was a significant association between MCI/MI sensitization and chemical processing workers (OR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03-2.94), while mechanics and healthcare workers resulted more sensitized to this hapten only in the last 3years. Sensitization to MCI/MI is rising in the last years in Triveneto region, the 'epidemic' of sensitization to MCI/MI is mainly driven by extra-occupational dermatitis, and sensitization in some occupational groups is emerging only in the last years. A full labelling is compulsory for all products that contain isothiazolinones, to permit to identify the culprit agent.

A rapidly deployable classification system using visual data for the application of precision weed management

In this work we demonstrate a rapidly deployable weed classification system that uses visual data to enable autonomous precision weeding without making prior assumptions about which weed species are present in a given field. Previous work in this area relies on having prior knowledge of the weed species present in the field. This assumption cannot always hold true for every field, and thus limits the use of weed classification systems based on this assumption. In this work, we obviate this assumption and introduce a rapidly deployable approach able to operate on any field without any weed species assumptions prior to deployment. We present a three stage pipeline for the implementation of our weed classification system consisting of initial field surveillance, offline processing and selective labelling, and automated precision weeding. The key characteristic of our approach is the combination of plant clustering and selective labelling which is what enables our system to operate without prior weed species knowledge. Testing using field data we are able to label 12.3 times fewer images than traditional full labelling whilst reducing classification accuracy by only 14%.

Minimum standards on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of occupational and work‐related skin diseases in Europe – position paper of the COST Action StanDerm (TD 1206)

Skin diseases constitute up to 40% of all notified occupational diseases in most European countries, predominantly comprising contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, and skin cancer. While insufficient prevention of work-related skin diseases (WRSD) is a top-priority problem in Europe, common standards for prevention of these conditions are lacking. To develop common European standards on prevention and management of WRSD and occupational skin diseases (OSD). Consensus amongst experts within occupational dermatology was achieved with regard to the definition of minimum evidence-based standards on prevention and management of WRSD/OSD. By definition, WRSDs/OSDs are (partially or fully) caused by occupational exposure. The definition of OSD sensu stricto additionally includes diverging national legal requirements, with an impact on registration, prevention, management, and compensation. With the implementation of the classification of WRSD/OSD in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11th Revision in future, a valid surveillance and comparability across countries will be possible. Currently, WRDS and OSD are still under-reported. Depending on legislation and regulations, huge differences exist in notification procedures in Europe, although notification is crucial to prevent chronic and relapsing disease. Facilities for early diagnosis, essential for individual patient management, should be based on existing guidelines and include a multidisciplinary approach. Patch testing is essential if contact dermatitis persists or relapses. Workplace exposure assessment of WRSD/OSD requires full labelling of product ingredients on material safety data sheets helping to identify allergens, irritants and skin carcinogens. Comparable standards in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention must be established in Europe to reduce the burden of WRSD/OSD in Europe. The adoption of common European standards on prevention of WRSD/OSD will contribute to reduce the incidence of OSD and their socio-economic burden.

Stoma care products represent a common and previously underreported source of peristomal contact dermatitis.

Peristomal dermatitis is a common complication for the >700 000 patients in the United States with an ostomy. The role of stoma skin care products in peristomal dermatitis is poorly understood. To evaluate stoma skin care products as a cause of peristomal dermatitis. A retrospective chart review of patients with peristomal dermatitis at four academic hospitals from January 2010 to March 2014 was performed. Patient demographics, clinical information and use test and patch test results were documented. Eighteen patients identified as having peristomal dermatitis were tested. Twelve of these had peristomal contact dermatitis. We identified numerous stoma skin care products as triggers of irritant and/or allergic contact dermatitis. The most common stoma skin care product used and/or involved in dermatitis was Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier Film. Our data support a paradigm shift whereby healthcare workers treating patients with peristomal dermatitis, which is currently considered to be a reaction mainly to bodily fluids, must consider those products used to protect the skin as potential triggers for this disease. Therefore, patients with peristomal dermatitis should be tested with their stoma skin care agents to determine the need for removal or change of these products. Additionally, full ingredient labelling by manufacturers would help identify new allergens and irritants.

The adherence of packaged food products in Hyderabad, India with nutritional labelling guidelines.

India is experiencing a nutrition transition with the consumption of processed foods rapidly increasing. Nutrition labels are essential if consumers are to understand the healthiness of these products. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India have recently introduced regulation defining national nutrition labelling requirements and Codex Alimentarius recommends a global standard. To quantify the adherence of the declared nutrients on Indian packaged foods with national and global requirements. The presence or absence of data for seven required nutrients was recorded for all food products available for sale. Branches of three major retail chains and three smaller stores in Hyderabad, India between October and November, 2010 were surveyed. Data were collected for 4166 packaged products that fell into 14 different food groups. 52% of products displayed nutrient information on energy, protein, carbohydrate, sugar and total fat, meeting the minimum requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Only 27% met the minimum criteria defined by Codex which also requires the reporting of saturated fat and sodium. There was significant variation in compliance for leading brands, country of manufacture and food group (p<0.01 for all). The majority of Indian packaged foods do not meet national and international nutrient labelling guidelines. With the Indian population likely to consume much more packaged food over coming years full and effective food labelling will be essential. The failure of Indian legislation to require labelling of sodium and saturated fat may warrant review.

The Effect of Full Body Versus Partial Body Graphic Labelling on Beverage Packaging

Through the collection of quantitative and qualitative data, the shelf presence of full body graphic labels versus partial body graphic labels on plastic beverage bottles was examined and evaluated. Eye tracking was used to collect phenomenological data atop the stimuli, while a shopping checklist was used to collect purchase preference. A post-experiment survey was also conducted in order to gather qualitative data regarding possible purchase influences. Data revealed that both label sizes drew an equivalent amount of visual attention; however, consumers selected partial body labels more often than full body labels, regardless of the flavour of the beverage or their age group. Paper presents a unique methodology of comparing attention between the two label styles on plastic beverage bottles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Protein turnover: Measurement of proteome dynamics by whole animal metabolic labelling with stable isotope labelled amino acids

The measurement of protein turnover in tissues of intact animals is obtained by whole animal dynamic labelling studies, requiring dietary administration of precursor label. It is difficult to obtain full labelling of precursor amino acids in the diet and if partial labelling is used, calculation of the rate of turnover of each protein requires knowledge of the precursor relative isotope abundance (RIA). We describe an approach to dynamic labelling of proteins in the mouse with a commercial diet supplemented with a pure, deuterated essential amino acid. The pattern of isotopomer labelling can be used to recover the precursor RIA, and sampling of urinary secreted proteins can monitor the development of liver precursor RIA non-invasively. Time-series analysis of the labelling trajectories for individual proteins allows accurate determination of the first order rate constant for degradation. The acquisition of this parameter over multiple proteins permits turnover profiling of cellular proteins and comparisons of different tissues. The median rate of degradation of muscle protein is considerably lower than liver or kidney, with heart occupying an intermediate position.

A call for full ingredient labelling and uniform nomenclature on medicaments

A call for full ingredient labelling and uniform nomenclature on medicaments

Marché européen des margarines et des matières grasses à tartiner

IMACE, the International Margarine Association of the Countries of Europe represents 21 national associations of the margarine industry. While in 2003 the World Production increased to 10.1 Mt (9.3 Mt in 1998), the production of the European countries of 15 was 1.9 Mt (2.3 Mt in 1998). In 2003 the most important European producing countries are Germany (446,000 t), the United Kingdom (322,000 t), Belgium (268,000 t), the Netherlands (289,000 t) and Poland (510,000 t). The changes in food habits involved a decline of consumption. But the sector has invested a lot in optimizing the composition of its products, with a special attention for unsaturated fatty acids. European Union food legislation that has a particular impact on the margarine industry are the proposed EU Claims regulation, the proposed EU harmonization of vitamins and minerals, the EU directives on full ingredient labelling and on nutrition labelling. But the industry also actively pursues a road of self-regulation i.e. IMACE Code of Practice on Nutrition Claims, IMACE Code of Practice on Addition of Vitamins, IMACE Code of Practice on TFA. Several scientific publications recognize the margarine industry’s efforts in reducing TFA and underline that they are known as a determinant factor in the overall reduction of TFA in food products.

Lack of effect of the European guidance on clinical investigation of medicines in children

Aim: To evaluate the registration for paediatric use of new chemical entities (NCEs) granted a marketing authorization (product licence). Methods: European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) published on the Internet from January 1995 to May 2001 were analysed. Results: Of 120 new substances licensed since January 1995, 70 (58%) were of potential use in children. Of these, only 17 were licensed for all paediatric uses, and 15 for some paediatric age groups. Hence, the majority (54%) of these substances were probably not tested in paediatric age groups. Conclusion: Many of the new drugs granted marketing authorization lack sufficient paediatric labelling. The proportion of drugs for which full labelling was available has not increased in recent years. The European Medicines Evaluation Agency should make an effort to improve this I situation.

Ireland: contested precaution and challenged institutions

Irish policy on GMOs has generally cited precaution as its basis, although the official responses to marketing applications demonstrate a generally favourable attitude towards the technology. The official policy assumes that the current safety regulation can ensure that products reaching the market are safe, and that consumers can make their own ethical and political choices regarding GMOs, facilitated by full labelling of such products and ingredients. This view has been made more explicit with recent official statements. A national consultation process resulted in a report which strongly favours GM technology, but the whole process has been questioned by critics of GM crops. Many disagreements remain, particularly around the range of issues open to discussion. Many actors and organisations opposed to GMOs argue that the debate has been too narrowly focused on scientific aspects of health and environmental protection; they attempt to widen the scope to include other aspects, such as political and ethical concerns. This effort challenges the mediating institutions and their capacity to regulate an issue which involves uncertainty.

Food Industry Responses to the Health of the Nation

Discusses the Eat Well Action Plan, devised by the Nutrition Task Force, which was published in 1994, to help achieve the Health of the Nation′s targets on diet and health. The food industry is encouraged to undertake a “fat audit” of all products to identify the opportunities for fat reductions. In addition increased usage of fruits, vegetables and starchy staples, a move to full nutrition labelling, and marketing practices conducive to healthy food choices are also important. Emphasis is placed on a total diet approach to enjoyable eating and drinking, involving balance, taste, variety and moderation within a healthy, active lifestyle.

Consumer Confusion

The degree of consumer understanding, or lack of understanding, may be divided into three groups. The first is the area in which there is a good deal of misinformation being disseminated by groups for economic gain. Examples of this are the diet fads, such as the low carbohydrate diet which has already been resurrected six times under different names. The second area involves knowledge that the public doesn't really want to hear. The best example of this is the guidelines for filth in food published by the FDA. Another related example is the proposed regulations for Fish Protein Concentrate regarding intestinal contents. A third example may be the full ingredient labelling being requested by some groups. A long list of chemical names intimidates some consumers and may actually reduce food credibility. The third area involves technical issues that are so complex that educational efforts have lagged behind the progress of analytical and toxicological advances. The concept of risk/benefit in food components with its attendant difficulties in extrapolating high dosage animal data to low dose data appropriate for humans is the most obvious example.