Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A path planning algorithm based on fusing lane and obstacle map

This paper proposes a path planning algorithm for autonomous driving in urban environments. The processing of video and Velodyne pointcloud provides information about the positions of lane markers and obstacles in the local map, which are then converted to a lane costmap and obstacle costmap. The referenced GIS follow line is used for generating a series of offset curves, and the best follow line is selected according to a combination of lane, obstacle and background cost. Additional handling of planning path and maximum speed is provided. Our planning algorithm can handle various road types such as U-turn, intersections, and different driving behaviors including passing over or following front vehicles, etc. The proposed navigation framework is implemented on an autonomous vehicle, which exhibits good performance on Future Challenge 2013, Changshu, China.
Design of a molecular support for cryo-EM structure determination

Significance As the scope of macromolecular structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is expanding rapidly, it is becoming increasingly clear that many biological complexes are too fragile to withstand the harsh conditions involved in making cryo-EM samples. We describe an original approach to protect proteins from harmful forces during cryo-EM sample preparation by enclosing them inside a three-dimensional support structure that we designed using DNA origami techniques. By binding the transcription cofactor p53 to a specific DNA sequence, and by modifying the position of this sequence in our support structure, we also sought to control the relative orientation of individual p53:DNA complexes. Despite the recent rapid progress in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), there still exist ample opportunities for improvement in sample preparation. Macromolecular complexes may disassociate or adopt nonrandom orientations against the extended air–water interface that exists for a short time before the sample is frozen. We designed a hollow support structure using 3D DNA origami to protect complexes from the detrimental effects of cryo-EM sample preparation. For a first proof-of-principle, we concentrated on the transcription factor p53, which binds to specific DNA sequences on double-stranded DNA. The support structures spontaneously form monolayers of preoriented particles in a thin film of water, and offer advantages in particle picking and sorting. By controlling the position of the binding sequence on a single helix that spans the hollow support structure, we also sought to control the orientation of individual p53 complexes. Although the latter did not yet yield the desired results, the support structures did provide partial information about the relative orientations of individual p53 complexes. We used this information to calculate a tomographic 3D reconstruction, and refined this structure to a final resolution of ∼15 Å. This structure settles an ongoing debate about the symmetry of the p53 tetramer bound to DNA.
Protein phosphatase 2A and tau: an orchestrated ‘Pas de Deux’

The neuronal microtubule‐associated protein tau serves a critical role in regulating axonal microtubule dynamics to support neuronal and synaptic functions. Furthermore, it contributes to glutamatergic regulation and synaptic plasticity. Emerging evidence also suggests that tau serves as a signaling scaffold. Tau function and subcellular localization are tightly regulated, in part, by the orchestrated interplay between phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events. Significantly, protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A), encompassing the regulatory PPP2R2A (or Bα) subunit, is a major brain heterotrimeric enzyme and the primary tau Ser/Thr phosphatase in vivo. Herein, we closely examine how the intimate and compartmentalized interactions between PP2A and tau regulate tau phosphorylation and function, and play an essential role in neuronal homeostasis. We also review evidence supporting a strong link between deregulation of tau–PP2A functional interactions and the molecular underpinnings of various neurodegenerative diseases collectively called tauopathies. Lastly, we discuss the opportunities and associated challenges in more specifically targeting PP2A–tau interactions for drug development for tauopathies.
Genetic‐based dissection of arsenic accumulation in maize using a genome‐wide association analysis method

Summary Understanding the mechanism of arsenic (As) accumulation in plants is important in reducing As's toxicity to plants and its potential risks to human health. Here, we performed a genome‐wide association study to dissect the genetic basis of the As contents of different maize tissues in Xixian, which was irrigated with As‐rich surface water, and Changge using an association population consisting of 230 representative maize inbred lines. Phenotypic data revealed a wide normal distribution and high repeatability for the As contents in maize tissues. The As concentrations in maize tissues followed the same trend in the two locations: kernels < axes < stems < bracts < leaves. In total, 15, 16 and 15 non‐redundant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with As concentrations were identified (P ≤ 2.04 × 10−6) in five tissues from Xixian, Changge, and the combination of the locations, respectively, explaining 9.70%–24.65% of the phenotypic variation for each QTL, on average. Additionally, four QTLs [involving 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] were detected in the single and the combined locations, indicating that these loci/SNPs might be stable across different environments. The candidate genes associated with these four loci were predicted. In addition, four non‐redundant QTLs (6 SNPs), including a QTL that was detected in multiple locations according to the genome‐wide association study, were found to co‐localize with four previously reported QTL intervals. These results are valuable to understand the genetic architecture of As mechanism in maize and facilitate the genetic improvement of varieties without As toxicity.
Injuries in taekwando: systematic review

ABSTRACT Objectives: Assess rates/1000athletic encounters(AE) in Taekwondo of injuries/age/gender/type/location. Methods: Searches in 17 electronic, 7 grey-literature databases. Two researchers independently assessed Abstracts/titles and abstracted data. Risk-of-bias assessed with Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Rates/1000AE computed, weighted by study sizes. Results: Eighteen studies included 3 Olympic, 4 world, 1 European, 13 national, 10 provincial and one national school competition. Seventeen studies provided an injury definition and recorded injuries on forms. Rates are average rate/1000AE, weighted by study size. For ten studies which provided rates by gender, rate for males(n = 9,286) was 58/1000AE and females(n = 3,720) 52.7/1000AE. For six studies which provided data on injuries/1000minutes/exposure by gender rate for males(n = 6,885) was 10.7/1000minutes/exposure and for females(n = 2,539) 10.4. For two studies which provided data by age and gender, rate for males 11–13 years(n = 949) was 29.6, 14–17(n = 512) 53.1 and ≥18(n = 711) 40.7, and for females 11–13 years(n = 472) 30.5, 14–17(n = 338) 72 and ≥18(n = 240) 37.5. For eight studies which provided injury location rates by gender rate for all ages for males(n = 5,856) for head/neck injuries was 13.3, torso 4.2, upper-extremity 9.4 and lower-extremity 21.7 and females(n = 2,126) for head/neck injuries was 14.2, torso 3.1, upper-extremity 7.3 and lower-extremity 26.6. For nine studies which provided injury type rates by gender, rate for all ages for males(n = 7,509) for abrasions/contusions/lacerations was 37.5, for sprains/strains 10.3 and fractures 5.9, and for females(n = 2,852) for abrasions/contusions/lacerations 27.9, for sprains/strains 8.7 and fractures 3.8. For concussions for eight studies for males(n = 9,078) rate was 13.3 and females(n = 3628) 11.4. The majority of injuries occurred to the lower extremities, and in defence (61%). Conclusions: There are published data on 20,210 Taekweondo competitors. Only 8/18 studies reported prior injuries. Longitudinal studies are needed of injuries, ascertainment of causes, identify participants with higher rates, measure the results of preventive measures, rule change to exclude head kicks, and encourage non-contact Taekwondo especially for participants with high injury rates.
Valproic acid enforces the priming effect of sphingosine-1 phosphate on human mesenchymal stem cells

Engraftment and homing of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are modulated by priming factors including the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), by stimulating CXCR4 receptor signaling cascades. However, limited in vivo efficacy and the remaining priming molecules prior to administration of MSCs can provoke concerns regarding the efficiency and safety of MSC priming. Here, we showed that valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, enforced the priming effect of S1P at a low dosage for human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs). A DNA-methylation inhibitor, 5-azacytidine (5-Aza), and VPA increased the expression of CXCR4 in UC-MSCs. In particular, UC-MSCs primed with a suboptimal dose (50 nM) of S1P in combination with 0.5 mM VPA (VPA+S1P priming), but not 1 µM 5-Aza, significantly improved the migration activity in response to stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) concomitant with the activation of both MAPKp42/44 and AKT signaling cascades. Both epigenetic regulatory compounds had little influence on cell surface marker phenotypes and the multi-potency of UC-MSCs. In contrast, VPA+S1P priming of UC-MSCs potentiated the proliferation, colony forming unit-fibroblast, and anti-inflammatory activities, which were severely inhibited in the case of 5-Aza treatment. Accordingly, the VPA+S1P-primed UC-MSCs exhibited upregulation of a subset of genes related to stem cell migration and anti-inflammation response. Thus, the present study demonstrated that VPA enables MSC priming with S1P at a low dosage by enhancing their migration and other therapeutic beneficial activities. This priming strategy for MSCs may provide a more efficient and safe application of MSCs for treating a variety of intractable disorders.
Stochastic initiation and termination of calcium-mediated triggered activity in cardiac myocytes

Significance A normal heart cell behaves dynamically as an excitable element that generates a nonlinear electrical impulse in response to a suprathreshold current stimulus. However, under pathological conditions, cardiac myocytes can self-generate their own impulses after a normal excitation. This rogue behavior, known as triggered activity, can cause arrhythmias. However, how it is initiated and terminated is not fundamentally understood. We demonstrate computationally that initiation and termination are random events. Moreover, we elucidate the statistical properties of spontaneous Ca2+ release from intracellular stores that dictate the probability of those events and link fundamentally stochasticity at the ion channel and whole-cell levels. Our results provide mechanistic insights into cardiac arrhythmogenesis and highlight important differences between Ca2+ dynamics in cardiac myocytes and other eukaryotic cells. Cardiac myocytes normally initiate action potentials in response to a current stimulus that depolarizes the membrane above an excitation threshold. Aberrant excitation can also occur due to spontaneous calcium (Ca2+) release (SCR) from intracellular stores after the end of a preceding action potential. SCR drives the Na+/Ca2+ exchange current inducing a “delayed afterdepolarization” that can in turn trigger an action potential if the excitation threshold is reached. This “triggered activity” is known to cause arrhythmias, but how it is initiated and terminated is not understood. Using computer simulations of a ventricular myocyte model, we show that initiation and termination are inherently random events. We determine the probability of those events from statistical measurements of the number of beats before initiation and before termination, respectively, which follow geometric distributions. Moreover, we elucidate the origin of randomness by a statistical analysis of SCR events, which do not follow a Poisson process observed in other eukaryotic cells. Due to synchronization of Ca2+ releases during the action potential upstroke, waiting times of SCR events after the upstroke are narrowly distributed, whereas SCR amplitudes follow a broad normal distribution with a width determined by fluctuations in the number of independent Ca2+ wave foci. This distribution enables us to compute the probabilities of initiation and termination of bursts of triggered activity that are maintained by a positive feedback between the action potential upstroke and SCR. Our results establish a theoretical framework for interpreting complex and varied manifestations of triggered activity relevant to cardiac arrhythmias.
NCHC Blockchain Construction Platform (NBCP): Rapidly Constructing Blockchain Nodes around Taiwan

Blockchain is an emerging technology that can be utilized to break ground for secure provenance through the use of a centralized-based application. The method of distributed ledger can serve as the trust machine mechanism to prevent the malicious attacks. This paper introduces a novel service to complement some open-source blockchain protocols. A vital point of adopting blockchain technology is to encourage more and more parties to join for higher security and better efficiency. National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC) has initiated a service, named NBCP, for rapidly constructing multiple blockchain nodes around Taiwan. With several pros, users can easily construct private blockchain nodes, catering to the need of developing various prototypes of blockchain-based applications.
Cytogenetic evidence for a complex of species within the taxon Anopheles maculatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract : Two largely independent studies of chromosomes from natural populations of anopheles maculatus provide evidence for several genetic species within the taxon. (1) Polytene chromosome variation shows four different rearrangements of arm 2 and three rearrangements of the X chromosome. There is strong evidence for three species. Two allopatric populations represent either dramatic geographic variation for two independent inversion systems within one of the genetic species, or represent two additional species. Their species status remains unresolved by this work. (2) Heterochromatic variation occurs in both X and Y chromosomes as revealed by Giemsa-banding of mitotic chromosomes from larval brains. The distribution and association of these various sex chromosomes give further evidence of a species complex. A preliminary correlation of these two kinds of chromosomal variation is given.
Addressing phonological memory in language therapy with clients who have Down syndrome: Perspectives of speech-language pathologists.

BACKGROUND Phonological memory (PM) plays a significant role in language development but is impaired in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Without formal recommendations on how to address PM limitations in clients with DS, it is possible speech-language pathologists (SLPs) find ways to do so in their practices. AIMS This study asked if and how SLPs address PM in language therapy with clients who have DS. It also asked about SLPs' opinions of the importance, practicality and difficulty of addressing PM in clients with DS. METHODS & PROCEDURES SLPs participated in an online survey that asked if they address PM in clients with DS and, if so, how often and with which techniques. The survey also asked SLPs to rate their opinions of addressing PM in clients with DS with Likert scales. To contrast clients with DS, SLPs were asked about their practices and opinions with clients who have specific language impairment (SLI) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). SLPs were recruited through e-mails sent from state organizations and researchers. To compare SLPs' practices and opinions across client types, frequency analyses and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were run. OUTCOMES & RESULTS In all, 290 SLPs from 28 states completed the survey. Nearly all SLPs were currently practising at the time data were collected, and all worked with at least one of the three client types. Findings indicated SLPs less often addressed PM and used less variety when addressing PM with clients who have DS compared with clients who have SLI or ASD. Further, SLPs considered it less important, less practical and more difficult to address PM in clients who have DS when compared with clients who have SLI, whereas a similar pattern was found with clients who have ASD. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS SLPs' opinions could be one reason they under-address PM with clients who have DS. Other reasons include there are no evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines on this topic, and there is not enough familiarity with the DS phenotype among SLPs. Future research on ways to address PM in clients with DS successfully are essential so that EBP guidelines can be established and language therapy can be made more effective.
Learning Flexible Binary Code for Linear Projection Based Hashing with Random Forest

Existing linear projection based hashing methods have witnessed many progresses in finding the approximate nearest neighbor(s) of a given query. They perform well when using a short code. But their code length depends on the original data dimension, thus their performance can not be further improved with higher number of bits for low dimensional data. In addition, in the case of high dimensional data, it is not a good choice to produce each bit by a sign function. In this paper, we propose a novel random forest based approach to cope with the above shortcomings. The bits are obtained by recording the paths when a point traversing each tree in the forest. Then we propose a new metric to calculate the similarity between any two codes. Experimental results on two large benchmark datasets show that our approach outperforms its counterparts and demonstrate its superiority over the existing state-of-the-art hashing methods for descriptor retrieval.
Leptin Receptor Gene Variant rs11804091 Is Associated with BMI and Insulin Resistance in Spanish Female Obese Children: A Case-Control Study

Leptin is an endocrine hormone that has a critical role in body weight homoeostasis and mediates its effects via the leptin receptor (LEPR). Common polymorphisms in the genes coding leptin receptors have been associated with metabolic abnormalities. We assessed the association of 28 LEPR polymorphisms with body mass index (BMI) and their relationship with obesity-related phenotypes, inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers. A multicentre case-control study was conducted in 522 children (286 with obesity and 236 with normal-BMI). All anthropometric, metabolic factors and biomarkers were higher in children with obesity except apolipoprotein (Apo)-AI, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and adiponectin, which were lower in the obesity group; and glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 that did not differ between groups. We identified the associations between rs11208659, rs11804091, rs10157275, rs9436303 and rs1627238, and BMI in the whole population, as well as the association of rs11804091, rs10157275, and rs1327118 with BMI in the female group, although only the rs11804091 remained associated after Bonferroni correction (p = 0.038). This single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) was also associated with insulin (p = 0.004), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.006), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (p = 0.005) and adiponectin (p = 0.046) after adjusting for age, Tanner stage and BMI. Our results show a sex-specific association between the rs11804091 and obesity suggesting an influence of this SNP on insulin resistance.
Experimental investigation on the properties of concrete containing post-consumer plastic waste as coarse aggregate replacement

The consumption of various forms of plastic has been increased in recent days due to the boost in industrialization and other human activities. Most of the plastic wastes are abandoned and require large landfill area for storage. More importantly, the low biodegradability of plastic poses a serious threat to environment protection issue. Various methods have been followed for the disposal of plastic in an attempt to reduce the negative impact of the plastic on the environment. Recently, various types of plastic have been incorporated in concrete to minimize the exposure of plastic to the environment. The aim of this study is to investigate the properties of concrete containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic that were used as partial replacement of coarse aggregate (CA). In this study, four compositions of stone aggregate(S): plastic waste ratios have been used by volume basis: 100% S: 0% Plastic (control concrete), 90% S: 10% PET, 90% S: 10% HDPE, and 90% S: 5% PET+5% HDPE. The effects of waste plastic addition on the mechanical properties of concrete are presented in this paper. Test results reveal that minimum reduction in compressive strength has been found 35% in case of 10% PET plastic replaced concrete whereas splitting tensile strength for 10% PET replaced concrete has been increased by 21% while compared to control concrete. In addition, fresh unit weight of concrete containing plastic waste has been decreased by 4% in comparison to control concrete.
High‐intensity treadmill running impairs cognitive behavior and hippocampal synaptic plasticity of rats via activation of inflammatory response

Although appropriate exercise is beneficial for enhancing brain functions, high‐intensity exercise (HIE)‐induced cognitive dysfunction is causing more and more concerns nowadays. In the present study, we observed the effects of high‐intensity treadmill running on the spatial learning of the adult Sprague Dawley male rats in Y‐maze (n = 16 per group), and investigated its possible electrophysiological and molecular mechanisms by examining in vivo hippocampal long‐term potentiation (LTP), central inflammatory responses, and JNK/p38/ERK signal pathway. The Y‐maze active avoidance test showed that high‐intensity treadmill running impaired spatial learning ability of rats, with increased error times and prolonged training time in recognizing safety condition. Associated with the cognitive dysfunction, the induction and maintenance of hippocampal LTP were also impaired by the HIE. Furthermore, accompanied by elevated levels of inflammatory factors IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and iNOS, overactivation of microglia and astrocytes was also found in the CA1 region of hippocampus in the excessive exercise group, indicating an inflammatory response induced by HIE. In addition, Western blot assay showed that the phosphorylation of JNK/p38/ERK proteins was enhanced in the exercise group. These results suggest that exercise stress–induced neuronal inflammatory responses in the hippocampus are associated with HIE‐induced cognitive deficits, which may be involved in the upregulation of the JNK/p38/ERK pathway. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.