Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Experimental Study on Relative and Absolute Pose Graph Fusion for Vehicle Localization

In this work, we research and evaluate multiple pose-graph fusion strategies for vehicle localization. We focus on fusing a single absolute localization system, i.e. automotivegrade Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at 1 Hertz, with a single relative localization system, i.e. vehicle odometry at 25 Hertz. Our evaluation is based on 180 Km long vehicle trajectories that are recorded in highway, urban and rural areas, and that are accompanied with post-processed Real Time Kinematic GNSS as ground truth. The results exhibit a significant reduction in the error’s standard deviation by 18% but the bias in the error is unchanged, when compared to non-fused GNSS. We show that the underlying principle is the fact that errors in GNSS readings are highly correlated in time. This causes a bias that cannot be compensated for by using the relative localization information from the odometry, but it can reduce the standard deviation of the error.
Risk Perceptions for Trauma-Related Research: An Exploratory Study of Undergraduate Student Researchers in Psychology

The purpose of this study was to examine student researchers’ perceptions of risks associated with trauma-related research. The participants were 92 students enrolled in an introductory Research Methods course. Students evaluated (a) trauma-exposed participants’ ability to provide informed consent and (b) the potential consequences of participating in trauma-focused research. Risk perceptions were assessed at the beginning of the course, after completion of the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) ethics education, and at the end of the course. Results show that student researchers’ perceptions of risk changed significantly across time. After completing the CITI ethics education, students perceived trauma-exposed individuals as less able to provide informed consent and also perceived greater potential for negative consequences from participation in trauma-focused research, perceptions that were relatively maintained throughout the remainder of the course.
A Dual Traffic Network Coupled with Improved Delay Models to Estimate Travel Time in Urban Traffic Systems

Travel time estimation plays a core role in intelligent traffic systems, as people or smart vehicles can choose a better travel route in advance, while local authorities can make urban traffic planning based on it. The paper proposes a dual traffic network topology coupled with improved delay models to estimate travel time in urban traffic system. The structure of the system is demonstrated by the dual traffic network (DTN) topology. It hires nodes to representjoint points of links and intersections; it also has two kinds of edges-links and turning cases of intersections. The BPR model is improved by concerning the influence of pedestrians and the lane width, and the HCM model is improved by adding travel time at intersections and considering three different turning cases to match with the DTN topology. The proposed methodology is evaluated by a comparison and an experiment in Changzhou, China. The error is greatly reduced, even though the degree of saturation exceeds 0.72. This proposed estimation methodology can improve the estimation accuracy significantly, especially in high degree of saturation cases.
Detection of six common human paramyxoviruses in patients with acute febrile respiratory symptoms using a novel multiplex real‐time RT‐PCR assay

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), respiratory syncytial virus type A (RSV‐A), RSV‐B, and human parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, and 3 (HPIV‐1, HPIV‐2, and HPIV‐3) are common respiratory paramyxoviruses. Here, we developed a two‐tube triplex one‐step real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (real‐time RT‐PCR) and evaluated its performance using clinical samples. The data showed that this novel assay was 100% consistent with the monoplex real‐time RT‐PCR assay (in‐house), which was superior to the commercial routine multiplex‐ligation‐NAT‐based assay. Meanwhile, the clinical nasopharyngeal swabs of 471 patients with the acute febrile respiratory syndrome (AFRS) were analyzed using the established method. The results showed that 52 (11.7%) cases were positive for paramyxovirus. Among them, HPIVs and RSV‐A had the highest detection rate. The age and seasonal distribution of human paramyxovirus infection were analyzed. In conclusion, we developed a novel multiplex real‐time RT‐PCR assay for the rapid detection of six common human paramyxoviruses, which were dominant in patients with AFRS in Qinghai.
Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT (PIAS) Negatively Regulates the JAK/STAT Pathway by Inhibiting STAT Phosphorylation and Translocation

Protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) proteins are activation-suppressing proteins for signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), which involves gene transcriptional regulation. The inhibitory mechanism of PIAS proteins in the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling pathway has been well studied in mammals and Drosophila. However, the roles of PIAS in crustaceans are unclear. In the present study, we identified PIAS in kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus and found that its relative expression could be induced by Vibrio anguillarum stimulation. To explore the function of PIAS in shrimp infected with V. anguillarum, we performed an RNA interference assay. After knockdown of PIAS expression in shrimp subjected to V. anguillarum infection, bacterial clearance was enhanced and the survival rate increased compared with those in the control shrimp (dsGFP injection). Simultaneously, the expression levels of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) A1, C1, C2, and CruI-1, increased. Further study revealed that knockdown of PIAS also enhanced STAT phosphorylation and translocation. Pulldown assay indicated that PIAS interacts with activated STAT in shrimp. In conclusion, PIAS negatively regulates JAK/STAT signaling by inhibiting the phosphorylation and translocation of STAT through the interaction between PIAS and STAT, which leads to the reduction of AMP expression in shrimp. Our results revealed a new mechanism of PIAS-mediated gene regulation of the STAT signal pathway.
Enhanced interaction between SEC2 mutant and TCR Vβ induces MHC II–independent activation of T cells via PKCθ/NF-κB and IL-2R/STAT5 signaling pathways

SEC2, a major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II)-dependent T-cell mitogen, binds MHC II and T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβs to induce effective co-stimulating signals for clonal T-cell expansion. We previously characterized a SEC2 mutant with increased recognition of TCR Vβs, ST-4, which could intensify NF-κB signaling transduction, leading to IL-2 production and T-cell activation. In this study, we found that in contrast to SEC2, ST-4 could induce murine CD4+ T-cell proliferation in a Vβ8. 2- and Vβ8. 3-specific manner in the absence of MHC II+ antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Furthermore, although IL-2 secretion in response to either SEC2 or ST-4 stimulation was accompanied by up-regulation of protein kinase Cθ (PKCθ), inhibitor of κB (IκB), α and β IκB kinase (IKKα/β), IκBα, and NF-κB in mouse splenocytes, only ST-4 could activate CD4+ T cells in the absence of MHC II+ APCs through the PKCθ/NF-κB signaling pathway. The PKCθ inhibitor AEB071 significantly suppressed SEC2/ST-4–induced T-cell proliferation, CD69 and CD25 expression, and IL-2 secretion with or without MHC II+ APCs. Further, SEC2/ST-4–induced changes in PKCθ/NF-κB signaling were significantly relieved by AEB071 in a dose-dependent manner. Using Lck siRNA, we found that Lck controlled SEC2/ST-4–induced phosphorylation of PKCθ. We also demonstrated that the IL-2R/STAT5 pathway is essential for SEC2/ST-4–induced T-cell activation. Collectively, our data demonstrate that an enhanced ST-4–TCR interaction can compensate for lack of MHC II and stimulate MHC II–free CD4+ T-cell proliferation via PKCθ/NF-κB and IL-2R/STAT5 signaling pathways. Compared with SEC2, intensified PKCθ/NF-κB and IL-2R/STAT5 signals induced by ST-4 lead to enhanced T-cell activation. The results of this study will facilitate better understanding of TCR-based immunotherapies for cancer.
Multiple roles of lymphatic vessels in peripheral lymph node development

The mammalian lymphatic system consists of strategically located lymph nodes (LNs) embedded into a lymphatic vascular network. Mechanisms underlying development of this highly organized system are not fully understood. Using high-resolution imaging, we show that lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells initially transmigrate from veins at LN development sites using gaps in venous mural coverage. This process is independent of lymphatic vasculature, but lymphatic vessels are indispensable for the transport of LTi cells that egress from blood capillaries elsewhere and serve as an essential LN expansion reservoir. At later stages, lymphatic collecting vessels ensure efficient LTi cell transport and formation of the LN capsule and subcapsular sinus. Perinodal lymphatics also promote local interstitial flow, which cooperates with lymphotoxin-&bgr; signaling to amplify stromal CXCL13 production and thereby promote LTi cell retention. Our data unify previous models of LN development by showing that lymphatics intervene at multiple points to assist LN expansion and identify a new role for mechanical forces in LN development.
Clinical Approaches of Whole-Body Vibration Exercises in Individuals with Stroke: A Narrative Revision

Stroke is associated with long-term disability and patients experience numerous physical impairments including muscle weakness, particularly in the paretic limbs, balance, and functional mobility. During acute stroke rehabilitation, when individuals are less likely to be functionally independent and rely on rehabilitative care, the efficacy of low skill interventions that can reduce sedentary behaviour should be established. As such, this narrative revision focused on the use of empirical studies of whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) on different health outcomes in stroke patients. The effects of WBVE on neuromuscular performance (muscular strength and power), mobility, spasticity, and cardiovascular responses have been highlighted. Although some positive results were reported we can conclude that there is no solid evidence confirming the beneficial effects of WBVE among people with stroke compared with either other types of physical activities or sham WBVE. Therefore, further research should be performed in this area, testing the feasibility and efficacy of using WBVE in a more homogeneous sample of stroke patients or comparing different WBVE parameters.
Aglycemic HepG2 Cells Switch From Aminotransferase Glutaminolytic Pathway of Pyruvate Utilization to Complete Krebs Cycle at Hypoxia

Human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells are forced to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), when cultured in aglycemic conditions at galactose and glutamine. These Oxphos cells represent a prototype of cancer cell bioenergetics with mixed aerobic glycolysis and OXPHOS. We aimed to determine fractions of (i) glutaminolytic pathway involving aminotransferase reaction supplying 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) to the Krebs cycle vs. (ii) active segment of the Krebs cycle with aconitase and isocitrate dehydrogenase-3 (ACO-IDH3), which is typically inactive in cancer cells due to the citrate export from mitochondria. At normoxia, Oxphos cell respiration was decreased down to ~15 and ~10% by the aminotransferase inhibitor aminooxyacetate (AOA) or with AOA plus the glutamate-dehydrogenase inhibitor bithionol, respectively. Phosphorylating to non-phosphorylating respiration ratios dropped from >6.5 to 1.9 with AOA and to zero with AOA plus bithionol. Thus, normoxic Oxphos HepG2 cells rely predominantly on glutaminolysis. Addition of membrane-permeant dimethyl-2-oxoglutarate (dm2OG) to inhibited cells instantly partially restored respiration, evidencing the lack of 2OG-dehydrogenase substrate upon aminotransferase inhibition. Surprisingly, after 72 hr of 5% O2 hypoxia, the AOA (bithionol) inhibition ceased and respiration was completely restored. Thus in aglycemic HepG2 cells, the hypoxia-induced factor (HIF) upregulation of glycolytic enzymes enabled acceleration of glycolysis pathway, preceded by galactolysis (Leloir pathway), redirecting pyruvate via still incompletely blocked pyruvate dehydrogenase toward the ACO-IDH3. Glycolytic flux upregulation at hypoxia was evidently matched by a higher activity of the Leloir pathway in Oxphos cells. Hypoxic Oxphos cells increased 2-fold the NADPH oxidase activity, whereas hypoxic glycolytic cells decreased it. Oxphos cells and glycolytic cells at 5 mM glucose decreased their reduced glutathione fraction. In contrast to aglycemic cells, glycolytic HepG2 cells decreased their respiration at hypoxia despite the dm2OG presence, i.e., even at unlimited respiratory substrate availability for 72 hr at 5% O2, exhibiting the canonical HIF-mediated adaptation. Nevertheless, their ATP content was much higher with dm2OG as compared to its absence during hypoxic adaptation. Thus, the metabolic plasticity of cancer cells is illustrated under conditions frequently established for solid tumors in vivo, such as aglycemia plus hypoxia. Consequently, a wide acceptance of the irreversible and exclusive Warburg phenotype in cancer cells is incorrect.
Investigating the Relevance of Graph Cut Parameter on Interactive and Automatic Cell Segmentation

Graph cut segmentation provides a platform to analyze images through a global segmentation strategy, and as a result of this, it has gained a wider acceptability in many interactive and automatic segmentation fields of application, such as the medical field. The graph cut energy function has a parameter that is tuned to ensure that the output is neither oversegmented (shrink bias) nor undersegmented. Models have been proposed in literature towards the improvement of graph cut segmentation, in the context of interactive and automatic cell segmentation. Along this line of research, the graph cut parameter has been leveraged, while in some instances, it has been ignored. Therefore, in this work, the relevance of graph cut parameter on both interactive and automatic cell segmentation is investigated. Statistical analysis, based on F1 score, of three publicly available datasets of cells, suggests that the graph cut parameter plays a significant role in improving the segmentation accuracy of the interactive graph cut than the automatic graph cut.
Carnosol suppresses patient-derived gastric tumor growth by targeting RSK2

Carnosol is a phenolic diterpene that is isolated from rosemary, sage, and oregano. It has been reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. However, the molecular mechanism of carnosol's activity against gastric cancer has not been investigated. Herein, we report that carnosol is an RSK2 inhibitor that attenuates gastric cancer growth. Carnosol reduced anchorage-dependent and -independent gastric cancer growth by inhibiting the RSKs-CREB signaling pathway. The results of in vitro screening and cell-based assays indicated that carnosol represses RSK2 activity and its downstream signaling. Carnosol increased the G2/M phase and decreased S phase cell cycle and also induced apoptosis through the activation of caspases 9 and 7 and inhibition of Bcl-xL expression. Notably, oral administration of carnosol suppressed patient-derived gastric tumor growth in an in vivo mouse model. Our findings suggest that carnosol is an RSK2 inhibitor that could be useful for treating gastric cancer.
The Tragedy of Your Upstairs Neighbors: Externalities of Home-Sharing∗

A common critique of home-sharing platforms is that they enable hosts to impose costs on their neighbors, creating a market failure. To explore potential public policy responses, we develop a model of the markets for home-sharing and long-term rentals, and predict market equilibrium outcomes under different policy regimes. With respect to efficiency, we find that when the home-sharing decision is left to individuals, there is too much home-sharing, whereas if the decision is left to a city that maximizes resident surplus alone, there is too little home-sharing. However, when building owners decide on the home-sharing policy of their buildings, externalities are internalized, and the level of home-sharing activity is socially optimal. Our model predicts that, in equilibrium, building owners will be indifferent between allowing and banning homesharing in their buildings. To assess this “no policy arbitrage” prediction empirically, we construct a dataset of NYC rental apartments listings, and find that, consistent with our prediction, costless policy choices analogous to home-sharing have no detectable effect on long-term rental rates. ∗Thanks to Yannis Bakos, Peter Coles, Bo Cowgill, Michael Egesdal, Andrey Fradkin, David Holtz, Michael Luca, Igor Popov, Justin Rao, Arun Sundararajan, and Richard Zeckhauser for their helpful comments. Financial support from the Center for Global Economy and Business is gratefully acknowledged. Author contact information and code are currently or will be available at http://www.john-josephhorton.com/.
DIRECT DETECTION OF ENTEROVIRUS GENOME IN CELL-CULTURE NEGATIVE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID FROM ASEPTIC MENINGITIS CASES IN BRAZIL

Enteroviruses are the main etiologic agents involved in outbreaks and sporadic cases of aseptic meningitis. Viral isolation in permissive cells is a traditional method for diagnosis, but it is time consuming and may be unsuccessful due to low viral titers and because some enteroviruses do not replicate in routine cell cultures. Therefore, molecular techniques are increasingly being used for detection of these agents. In the present work, 267 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from aseptic meningitis and meningoencephalitis cases, received between 2008 and 2009, were tested by RT-PCR. These clinical samples were previously negative for virus isolation in cell culture. Enterovirus genome was detected in 59 CSF samples (22.1%) and identification was confirmed by partial nucleotide sequencing. Some demographics of the patients included in the study were analyzed. Direct detection of enterovirus genome from CSF is appropriate to increase sensitivity in aseptic meningitis and meningoencephalitis cases.
AI Programming by Children using Snap! Block Programming in a Developing Country

The development of human civilization today can’t be separated from the Artificial Intelligence. To prepare for this, early education on Artificial intelligent should be done. Some activities have been done to support students making AI programs, for example Google AIY, Machine Learning for Kids website, the Wolfram Language, and the eCraft2Learn project. One of the new block programming languages Snap! has been extended to provide an easy-to-use interface that provides AI cloud services as well as other AI functions. However, there is little research about AI programming learning for children in developing countries. This paper presents how the learning of AI programming using Snap! programming in Indonesia. The learning process was evaluated with 40 Senior High Schools and Vocational students. 84% students had some basic programming experience but others had none. 70% students who had basic programming experience felt that AI programming using Snap! was easy to understand, yet the students with no programming experience found it difficult. Even though mostly the students can answer the evaluation question about how AI works and all the students were keen on creating AI programs using Snap! We concluded that Snap! programing worked to introduce AI to children and help to provide enjoyable environment to explore AI programming. However, some improvements are required to improve the learning process of AI programing using Snap! in developing country. The improvements are presented in this paper as the result of this research.
Societal and individual determinants in the enrollment of personal health records: A preliminary investigation from China

BACKGROUND Although personal health records (PHRs) have many benefits, how to effectively enroll them is a worldwide concern, especially in developing countries, and there has been little research targeting both societal and individual factors that affect the enrollment of PHRs. OBJECTIVE To provide evidence and recommendations for the sustainable development of PHRs combined societal and individual determinants. METHODS A cross-sectional door-to-door survey was conducted with a sample of 1100 individuals aged 15 and older in central China. The main measure was whether residents had enrolled in PHRs through the CHS. RESULTS While the overall rate of PHR enrollment was only 27.93%, the willingness to enroll in PHRs among survey participants was much higher (75.86%). Statistically significant variables among societal level were proportion of acquaintances with PHRs and informed consent (OR = 17.09, OR = 31.06, respectively) and among individual level were age, education level, presence of doctor-diagnosed hypertension, and willingness to enroll in PHRs. CONCLUSIONS Societal determinants would reveal the positive role of psychological bandwagon effect and the ethical principle of informed consent in enrolling PHRs, and individual determinants would reveal the priority demographics for enrolling PHRs, notably the elderly, those with a higher education level and hypertensive patients.
Multi-task Joint Learning for Videos in the Wild

Most of the conventional state-of-the-art methods for video analysis achieve outstanding performance by combining two or more different inputs, e.g. an RGB image, a motion image, or an audio signal, in a two-stream manner. Although these approaches generate pronounced performance, it underlines that each considered feature is tantamount in the classification of the video. This dilutes the nature of each class that every class depends on the different levels of information from different features. To incorporate the nature of each class, we present the class nature specific fusion that combines the features with a different level of weights for the optimal class result. In this work, we first represent each frame-level video feature as a spectral image to train convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on the RGB and audio features. We then revise the conventional two-stream fusion method to form a class nature specific one by combining features in different weight for different classes. We evaluate our method on the Comprehensive Video Understanding in the Wild dataset to understand how each class reacted on each feature in wild videos. Our experimental results not only show the advantage over conventional two-stream fusion, but also illustrate the correlation of two features: RGB and audio signal for each class.