Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A flexible modeling approach for robust multi-lane road estimation

A robust estimation of road course and traffic lanes is an essential part of environment perception for next generations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and development of self-driving vehicles. In this paper, a flexible method for modeling multiple lanes in a vehicle in real time is presented. Information about traffic lanes, derived by cameras and other environmental sensors, that is represented as features, serves as input for an iterative expectation-maximization method to estimate a lane model. The generic and modular concept of the approach allows to freely choose the mathematical functions for the geometrical description of lanes. In addition to the current measurement data, the previously estimated result as well as additional constraints to reflect parallelism and continuity of traffic lanes, are considered in the optimization process. As evaluation of the lane estimation method, its performance is showcased using cubic splines for the geometric representation of lanes in simulated scenarios and measurements recorded using a development vehicle. In a comparison to ground truth data, robustness and precision of the lanes estimated up to a distance of 120 m are demonstrated. As a part of the environmental modeling, the presented method can be utilized for longitudinal and lateral control of autonomous vehicles.
Inhibition of Heat Shock Protein 90 Function by 17-Allylamino-17-Demethoxy-Geldanamycin in Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cells Down-Regulates Akt Kinase, Dephosphorylates Extracellular Signal–Regulated Kinase, and Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Cell Death

Purpose: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a chaperone for several client proteins involved in transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, and cell cycle control. HSP90 is abundantly expressed by a variety of tumor types and has been recently targeted for cancer therapy. The objective of this study was to determine the role of HSP90 in promoting growth and survival of Hodgkin's lymphoma and to determine the molecular consequences of inhibiting HSP90 function by the small-molecule 17-allylamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin (17-AAG) in Hodgkin's lymphoma. Experimental Design: HSP90 expression in Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines was determined by Western blot and in primary lymph node sections from patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma by immunohistochemistry. Cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle fractions were determined by flow cytometry. Expression of intracellular proteins was determined by Western blot. Results: HSP90 is overexpressed in primary and cultured Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. Inhibition of HSP90 function by 17-AAG showed a time- and dose-dependent growth inhibition of Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines. 17-AAG induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which were associated with a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4, CDK 6, and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), and induced apoptosis by caspase-dependent and caspase-independent mechanisms. Furthermore, 17-AAG depleted cellular contents of Akt, decreased extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, and reduced cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein levels (FLIP), and thus enhanced the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin and agonistic anti–tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptor antibodies. Conclusion: Inhibition of HSP90 function induces cell death and enhances the activity of chemotherapy and anti–tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand death receptor antibodies, suggesting that targeting HSP90 function might be of therapeutic value in Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Listening to the Heart or the Head? Exploring the “Willingness Versus Ability” Succession Dilemma

Incumbents typically seek a highly committed and at the same time highly competent child as a successor, yet such a candidate is often not available. Extant literature is unable to predict which desired attribute—commitment (i.e., willingness) or competence (i.e., ability)—is most important in this dilemma. Drawing from institutional logics literature, we suggest that the incumbent’s personal experiences, education, and cultural embeddedness, as much as firm-level situational stimuli, direct incumbent attention to either corporate logic, favoring competence, or family logic, favoring commitment, to guide decision-making about which family member to choose as a successor. We test our hypotheses using policy capturing with responses of 1,060 family firm owner-managers, and contribute to research on succession, family firms, and institutional logics.
The reproducibility of curet sampling of subgingival biofilms.

BACKGROUND Because few studies have examined the critical issue of sampling reproducibility, the purpose of the present study was to examine the reproducibility of curet sampling of subgingival biofilms. METHODS Seven subgingival biofilm samples were taken successively, using a curet, from each of 80 sites and individually analyzed for their content of 40 bacterial species using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. One healthy site was sampled in each of 20 periodontally healthy subjects, and one sulcus/pocket of < or =3, 4 to 5, and > or =6 mm was sampled in each of 20 subjects with chronic periodontitis. The significance of differences in counts and proportions of individual species at the seven successive samplings for each probing depth (PD) category was determined using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The reproducibility of species proportions at each PD category was measured using the coefficient of variation (CV), and the consistency of microbial profiles across samples was examined using the minimum similarity coefficient. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the mean proportions of the 40 test species in the seven successive samples in each of the four PD categories. The median CV for individual species in the same site was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76 to 0.82) compared to 1.76 (95% CI: 1.69 to 1.82) in samples from different sites. The within-site mean minimum similarity coefficient (+/- SEM) was 51.2% +/- 2.2%, and it was 27.9% +/- 0.3% between sites. CONCLUSION The proportions of species remained consistent in successive curet samples, indicating that the use of curets provided a reliable and reproducible method to obtain subgingival samples.
Divergent taxonomic and functional responses of microbial communities to field simulation of aeolian soil erosion and deposition

Aeolian soil erosion and deposition have worldwide impacts on agriculture, air quality and public health. However, ecosystem responses to soil erosion and deposition remain largely unclear in regard to microorganisms, which are the crucial drivers of biogeochemical cycles. Using integrated metagenomics technologies, we analysed microbial communities subjected to simulated soil erosion and deposition in a semiarid grassland of Inner Mongolia, China. As expected, soil total organic carbon and plant coverage were decreased by soil erosion, and soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was increased by soil deposition, demonstrating that field simulation was reliable. Soil microbial communities were altered (p < .039) by both soil erosion and deposition, with dramatic increase in Cyanobacteria related to increased stability in soil aggregates. amyA genes encoding α‐amylases were specifically increased (p = .01) by soil deposition and positively correlated (p = .02) to DOC, which likely explained changes in DOC. Surprisingly, most of microbial functional genes associated with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium cycling were decreased or unaltered by both erosion and deposition, probably arising from acceleration of organic matter mineralization. These divergent responses support the necessity to include microbial components in evaluating ecological consequences. Furthermore, Mantel tests showed strong, significant correlations between soil nutrients and functional structure but not taxonomic structure, demonstrating close relevance of microbial function traits to nutrient cycling.
NR2 to NR3B subunit switchover of NMDA receptors in early postnatal motoneurons

The NR3B NMDA receptor subunit is selective to somatic motoneurons in the adult nervous system. Here we report its developmental expression in the mouse brain and spinal cord by in situ hybridization. NR3B mRNA was detected in few neural regions during embryonic and neonatal periods. It first appeared in motoneurons at postnatal day (P)10−P14, and attained the maximal level at P21 and adult stage. This developmental profile was reciprocal with that of NR2 subunits, of which NR2A mRNA was most predominant in embryonic and neonatal motoneurons and downregulated by P14. Interestingly, mRNA of the NR1 subunit, which is required for functional NMDA receptors, displayed a ‘V’‐shaped change, decreasing with the early postnatal decline of NR2 mRNAs and increasing with the subsequent appearance of NR3B mRNA. Therefore, the major regulatory subunit of NMDA receptors is likely to switch from NR2 to NR3B in somatic motoneurons during the early postnatal period.
Factors associated with child use of automobile restraining devices. Knowledge, attitudes, and practice.

One hundred ninety-eight child-parent pairs were studied for knowledge, attitude, and practice factors associated with the use of automobile restraining devices in children attending a pediatric clinic. A child use index was cross-tabulated with other variables. Children most likely to be using appropriate restraining devices were over 6 months old and had US-born, white, married parents who had at least completed high school, who themselves used seat belts, and who indicated a belief in their ability to control what happens to them in life. No associations were found between use and parent's knowledge about age-appropriate methods of child restraint, or the families' accident history. The parents held many false beliefs about the use of seat belts. Pediatricians might improve parents' behavior in properly restraining their children by incorporating automobile safety information and counseling as part of the well-child visit.
Pre-microRNA Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (~22 nucleotides) regulatory RNAs that can modulate gene expression and are aberrantly expressed in many diseases, including cancer. It has been suggested that, the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) can alter miRNA processing, expression and binding to target mRNA and represents another type of genetic variability, that can contribute to the susceptibility of human cancers. Aim The present study investigated the genetic variants in pre-miRNAs (hsa-miRNA-196a2 rs11614913 C/T, hsa-miRNA-499 rs3746444 T/C and hsa-miRNA-146a rs2910164 G/C) for their role in cervical cancer susceptibility. Materials and Methods The study comprised 164 controls and 184 patients of cervical cancer. The genotypic frequency of miRNA polymorphisms were determined by using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis using SPSS Software version 15.0. Results Hsa-miRNA-499 rs3746444 T/C polymorphism showed a statistically significant association with considerable risk for cervical cancer at genotypes (CC, p=0.001, OR=4.801) and variant allele (p<0.001, OR=2.307). MiRNA 146a and miRNA 196a2 polymorphisms showed no association with cervical cancer. However, interaction of miRNA polymorphisms with smoking habit showed higher risk of cervical cancer with miRNA 196a2 polymorphism in patients with smoking but no significant modification in the risk of cervical cancer was seen for other polymorphisms. Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrate that, miRNA 499 T/C polymorphism is significantly associated with genetic susceptibility to cervical cancer and may have a role in its pathogenesis.
Long-term prognostic value of protein C activity, erythrocyte aggregation and membrane fluidity in transmural myocardial infarction

Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term predictive value of the haemostatic,inflammatory and haemorheologic disturbances in transmural myocardial infarction (MI). Sixty-four (59 male) consecutive survivors of a MI, with a mean age of 58.3 ± 12.0 years, were followed over a period of 36 months. Eighteen patients had a cardiovascular event defined as the composite of death, non-fatal MI, unstable angina and stroke. The haemostatic (protein C activity-PtC, antithrombin III, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), haemorheologic (blood fluidity and components, erythrocyte membrane fluidity) and inflammatory (polymorphonuclear elastase, leukocyte count) profiles were determined at hospital discharge, using standard methodology. Our results can be summarized as follow: (i) at hospital discharge, the subgroup of patients with events had higher leuko-cyte count (7833.0 ± 1696.0 vs. 10294.0 ± 3129.0; p= 0.011), lower PtC (100.65 ± 19.08 vs.81.25 ± 19.95;p = 0.002),and lower erythrocyte aggregation (14.26 ± 5.94 vs.11.47 ± 3.45;p = 0.031) in relation to the ones without events;(ii) By Cox regression the protein C activity lower tertile (OR 0.169; 0.045 – 0.628; p=0.008); erythrocyte membrane outer layer fluidity upper tertile (OR 0.067; 95% CI 0.011 – 0.393; p=0.003); and erythrocyte aggregation lower tertile (OR 0.182; 0.038 – 0.876; p= 0.034) were independent predictors of the composite endpoint. We can conclude that some haemostatic, haemorheologic and inflammatory disturbances,at hospital discharge,are long-term independent predictors of recurrent cardiovascular events in transmural myocardial infarction survivors.
The Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ/Retinoid X Receptor α Heterodimer Targets the Histone Modification Enzyme PR-Set7/Setd8 Gene and Regulates Adipogenesis through a Positive Feedback Loop

ABSTRACT Control of cell differentiation occurs through transcriptional mechanisms and through epigenetic modification. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation-on-chip approach, we performed a genome-wide search for target genes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and its partner protein retinoid X receptor α during adipogenesis. We show that these two receptors target several genes that encode histone lysine methyltransferase SET domain proteins. The histone H4 Lys 20 (H4K20) monomethyltransferase PR-Set7/Setd8 gene is upregulated by PPARγ during adipogenesis, and the knockdown of PR-Set7/Setd8 suppressed adipogenesis. Intriguingly, monomethylated H4K20 (H4K20me1) levels are robustly increased toward the end of differentiation. PR-Set7/Setd8 positively regulates the expression of PPARγ and its targets through H4K20 monomethylation. Furthermore, the activation of PPARγ transcriptional activity leads to the induction of H4K20me1 modification of PPARγ and its targets and thereby promotes adipogenesis. We also show that PPARγ targets PPARγ2 and promotes its gene expression through H4K20 monomethylation. Our results connect transcriptional regulation and epigenetic chromatin modulation through H4K20 monomethylation during adipogenesis through a feedback loop.
The Effects of Active Videogame Feedback and Practicing Experience on Children's Physical Activity Intensity and Enjoyment.

OBJECTIVE The study aims to explore the effects of receiving active videogame (AVG) feedback and playing experience on individuals' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and perceived enjoyment. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a within-subject design study. The participants included 36 (n = 15 and 21 for boys and girls, respectively) fourth graders enrolled in a rural elementary school in southern Georgia area. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks with each week including three sessions. The participants were assigned in either front row (sensor feedback) or back row (no sensor feedback) during practice, which was alternated in different sessions. Two different dance games were played during the study with each game implemented for 3 weeks. The MVPA was measured with GT3X+ accelerometers. Physical activity (PA) enjoyment was assessed after the completion of the first two and last two sessions of each game. A repeated one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was used to examine the effects of AVG feedback and game on MVPA. A repeated one-way MANOVA (multivariate analysis of variance) was conducted for each game to examine the effects of experience and AVG feedback on enjoyment and MVPA. RESULTS No effects of AVG feedback were found for MVPA or enjoyment (P > 0.05). The effects of experience on MVPA were found for Just Dance Kids 2014 with experience decreased MVPA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Students who practiced dance AVG without receiving feedback still demonstrated positive affection and accumulated similar MVPA than when practicing while receiving feedback. Experience for certain dance games tends to decrease PA intensity.
Perceived Cognitive Difficulties and Cognitive Test Performance as Predictors of Employment Outcomes in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Perceived cognitive difficulties and cognitive impairment are important determinants of employment in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, it is not clear how they are related to adverse work outcomes and whether the relationship is influenced by depressive symptoms. Thus, this study examined perceived and actual general cognitive and prospective memory function, and cognitive appraisal accuracy, in relation to adverse work outcomes. The possible mediating and/or moderating role of depression was also examined. A cross-sectional community-based sample of 111 participants (33 males, 78 females) completed the Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ), Beck Depression Inventory – Fast Screen (BDI-FS), and questions related to their current or past employment. They then underwent cognitive testing using the Screening Examination for Cognitive Impairment, Auditory Consonant Trigrams test, Zoo Map Test, and Cambridge Prospective Memory Test. Perceived general cognitive and prospective memory difficulties in the workplace and performance on the respective cognitive tests were found to predict unemployment and reduced work hours since MS diagnosis due to MS. Depression was also related to reduced work hours, but it did not explain the relationship between perceived cognitive difficulties and the work outcomes. Nor was it related to cognitive test performance. The results highlight a need to address the perceptions of cognitive difficulties together with cognitive impairment and levels of depression in vocational rehabilitation programs in pwMS. (JINS, 2015, 21, 156–168)
Comparison of weight loss among named diet programs in overweight and obese adults: a meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE Many claims have been made regarding the superiority of one diet or another for inducing weight loss. Which diet is best remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine weight loss outcomes for popular diets based on diet class (macronutrient composition) and named diet. DATA SOURCES Search of 6 electronic databases: AMED, CDSR, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE from inception of each database to April 2014. STUDY SELECTION Overweight or obese adults (body mass index ≥25) randomized to a popular self-administered named diet and reporting weight or body mass index data at 3-month follow-up or longer. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two reviewers independently extracted data on populations, interventions, outcomes, risk of bias, and quality of evidence. A Bayesian framework was used to perform a series of random-effects network meta-analyses with meta-regression to estimate the relative effectiveness of diet classes and programs for change in weight and body mass index from baseline. Our analyses adjusted for behavioral support and exercise. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Weight loss and body mass index at 6- and 12-month follow-up (±3 months for both periods). RESULTS Among 59 eligible articles reporting 48 unique randomized trials (including 7286 individuals) and compared with no diet, the largest weight loss was associated with low-carbohydrate diets (8.73 kg [95% credible interval {CI}, 7.27 to 10.20 kg] at 6-month follow-up and 7.25 kg [95% CI, 5.33 to 9.25 kg] at 12-month follow-up) and low-fat diets (7.99 kg [95% CI, 6.01 to 9.92 kg] at 6-month follow-up and 7.27 kg [95% CI, 5.26 to 9.34 kg] at 12-month follow-up). Weight loss differences between individual diets were minimal. For example, the Atkins diet resulted in a 1.71 kg greater weight loss than the Zone diet at 6-month follow-up. Between 6- and 12-month follow-up, the influence of behavioral support (3.23 kg [95% CI, 2.23 to 4.23 kg] at 6-month follow-up vs 1.08 kg [95% CI, -1.82 to 3.96 kg] at 12-month follow-up) and exercise (0.64 kg [95% CI, -0.35 to 1.66 kg] vs 2.13 kg [95% CI, 0.43 to 3.85 kg], respectively) on weight loss differed. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Significant weight loss was observed with any low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet. Weight loss differences between individual named diets were small. This supports the practice of recommending any diet that a patient will adhere to in order to lose weight.
A Nexus of Energy Consumption, Institutions, FinancialMarket and Economic Growth

This study examined the impact of energy consumption, institutions and financial market on economic growth of Pakistan for the period of 1985-2014. Vector error correction (VECM) model is applied to analyze the short run and long run association among variables. Estimated results reveal that energy consumption, institutional quality, financial market, labor and capital have positive impact on economic growth while consumer price index and interest rate have negative impact on economic growth of Pakistan. It is suggested that government should increase the investment in energy sector and improve the institutional quality in the country while financial reforms and restructuring of financial sector will promote private lending so unemployment will be reduced.
Internal migration of the ‘creative class’ in Germany

ABSTRACT This paper tests three popular hypotheses related to migration patterns of Richard Florida’s ‘creative class’. Applying micro-data, we calculate net migration rates for creative class members for all German planning regions and use a combination of principal component analysis and multiple regressions to explain them by determinants suggested by Florida. We use a unique measure to determine Florida’s gay index, use net migration rates and distinguish between creative class subgroups. The results partially support Florida, but hard location factors are much more important than tolerance, openness or amenities. Accordingly, we develop recommendations for numerous policy initiatives supporting creative industries in Germany.
The contribution of working memory capacity to foreign language comprehension in children

The present study examined the contribution of working memory processes in children's foreign language processing of sentences and short stories. A total of 95 children were given measures of working memory when 9–10 years old. One to two years later at ages 11–12, tasks tapping foreign language literal comprehension (English) and native language inferential comprehension (Swedish) were administered. Regression and correlation analyses demonstrated that both central executive and phonological loop processes predicted foreign language comprehension, whereas central executive processes but not phonological loop processes predicted native language reading comprehension. These findings show that children's foreign language processing is supported by their working memory capacity tested in their native language. Some of these working memory resources appear to be unique for foreign language. The strong association between native language and foreign language processing suggests that an important factor in becoming proficient in foreign language is the child's general language aptitude. Possible mechanisms for the contribution of working memory to children's foreign language comprehension are discussed.