Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Does “the RNA World” Mean to “the Origin of Life”?

Corresponding to life’s two distinct aspects: Darwinian evolution and self-sustainment, the origin of life should also split into two issues: the origin of Darwinian evolution and the arising of self-sustainment. Because the “self-sustainment” we concern about life should be the self-sustainment of a relevant system that is “defined” by its genetic information, the self-sustainment could not have arisen before the origin of Darwinian evolution, which was just marked by the emergence of genetic information. The logic behind the idea of the RNA world is not as tenable as it has been believed. That is, genetic molecules and functional molecules, even though not being the same material, could have emerged together in the beginning and launched the evolution—provided that the genetic molecules can “simply” code the functional molecules. However, due to these or those reasons, alternative scenarios are generally much less convincing than the RNA world. In particular, when considering the accumulating experimental evidence that is supporting a de novo origin of the RNA world, it seems now quite reasonable to believe that such a world may have just stood at the very beginning of life on the Earth. Therewith, we acquire a concrete scenario for our attempts to appreciate those fundamental issues that are involved in the origin of life. In the light of those possible scenes included in this scenario, Darwinian evolution may have originated at the molecular level, realized upon a functional RNA. When two or more functional RNAs emerged, for their efficient cooperation, there should have been a selective pressure for the emergence of protocells. But it was not until the appearance of the “unitary-protocell”, which had all of its RNA genes linked into a chromosome, that Darwinian evolution made its full step towards the cellular level—no longer severely constrained by the low-grade evolution at the molecular level. Self-sustainment did not make sense before protocells emerged. The selection pressure that was favoring the exploration of more and more fundamental raw materials resulted in an evolutionary tendency of life to become more and more self-sustained. New functions for the entities to adapt to environments, including those that are involved in the self-sustainment per se, would bring new burdens to the self-sustainment—the advantage of these functions must overweigh the corresponding disadvantage.
Consumer Participation in Health Policy Decisions: Empowerment or Puffery?

Many consumers in today's society have increased access to information about health and medical care through books, videotapes, audiotapes, the Internet, and television programming. However, consumers often are excluded from involvement in health policy decision making because it is believed that they do not have the necessary expertise. In this paper, the following will be discussed: (1) the historic role of consumer involvement in health policy decision making, (2) an overview of major barriers that consumers have encountered in health policy decision making, and (3) strategies for overcoming these barriers so that consumer empowerment can be enhanced when they serve on health policy panels.
Dynamics and Evolution of Supermassive Black Holes in Merging Galaxies

In vielen Galaxienzentren werden Supermassive Schwarze Locher (SMBHs) detektiert. Ihre Massen korrelieren mit unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften dieser Galaxien, was als enge Verbindung in der Entwicklung der SMBHs und Galaxien interpretiert werden kann. Im Bild der hierarchischen Galaxienentstehung erfordert diese enge evolutionare Koppelung ein schnelles Verschmelzen von Doppel-SMBHs, vermutlich verursacht durch dynamische Reibung, die Wechselwirkungen des Doppelsystems mit Sternen bzw. Gas und im finalen Stadium durch Abstrahlung von Gravitationswellen. Wurden die Doppel-SMBHs schneller als in einer Hubble-Zeit verschmelzen, waren sie eine vielversprechende Quelle von Gravitationswellen fur die entsprechenden Detektoren. Jedoch wird vermutet, dass die Entwicklung der Doppel-SMBHs bei Abstanden von ungefahr einem Parsec zum Erliegen kommt. Dieser Effekt wird manchmal auch als "Finales Parsec Problem" (FPP) bezeichnet. In dieser Arbeit nutzen wir N-Korper-Simulationen fur eine erweiterte Beschreibung des Herabsinkens von SMBHs als Folge dynamischer Reibung. Mit einer Vielzahl von N-Korper-Simulationen zeigen wir, dass das FPP in Galaxien, die durch Verschmelzungen entstehen, nicht auftritt. Die Abweichung von der Kugelsymmetrie der aus der Verschmelzung neu gebildeten Galaxie sorgt fur einen kontinuierlichen Nachschub an Sternen, die mit dem SMBH-Doppelsystem wechselwirken. Auf dem Weg zu ihrer eigenen Verschmelzung schleudern die Doppel-SMBHs Sterne mit einem Vielfachen ihrer eigenen Masse aus der Galaxie heraus, wodurch sich flache Dichteprofile bilden, wie sie haufig in elliptischen Galaxien beobachtet werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit unterstutzen kosmologische Szenarien, in welchen das rasche Verschmelzen von SMBHs ublicherweise sowohl bei niedrigen als auch bei hohen Rotverschiebungen nach einer Galaxienverschmelzung eintritt und in denen Doppel-SMBHs eine vielversprechende Quelle von Gravitationswellen sind.
The efficacy and safety of selumetinib in patients with cutaneous melanoma : a meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials

Background: Selumetinib, a novel selective mitogen-activated protein kinases inhibitor, is generally thought to be beneficial to patients with melanoma. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of selumetinib treatment comparing with other treatment agents in patients with cutaneous melanoma based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A meta-analysis was performed to analyze all available studies on the efficacy and safety of selumetinib in people with cutaneous melanoma. Results: Three RCTs that involved 374 participants were identified for evaluating the efficacy and safety of selumetinib for treating cutaneous melanoma. Results revealed that selumetinib treatment have better clinical benefits (the total of complete response, partial response, and stable disease) (odds ratio (OR)=1.58; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05-2.39, P=0.03), and reduce the risk of disease progression (OR=0.55; 95% CI=0.36-0.84, P<0.01), compared with other treatment agents. The most frequent adverse events were dermatitis (OR =17.75; 95% CI=2.37-132.72, P<0.01) and diarrhea (OR=4.05; 95% CI=2.56-6.40, P<0.001) in selumetinib treatment. However, selumetinib use was not associated with an improvement of progression-free survival (selumetinib vs. other agents: Hazard ratio (HR)=0.85; 95% CI=0.68-1.08, P=0.19) and overall survival (selumetinib vs. other agents: HR=1.18; 95% CI=0.91-1.53, P=0.20). Conclusion(s): Selumetinib used increased the risk of dermatitis and diarrhea. Selumetinib treatmenthave better clinical benefits and reduce disease progression. Furthermore, well-designed RCTs are needed to determine whether selumetinib provides a significant overall benefit for people with cutaneousmelanoma.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Versus Somatostatin Receptor Targeting Reveals 2 Distinct Forms of Malignant Insulinomas

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor imaging is superior to somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2) imaging in localizing benign insulinomas. Here, the role of GLP-1 and sst2 receptor imaging in the management of malignant insulinoma patients was investigated. Methods: Eleven patients with malignant insulinoma were prospectively included. 111In-[Lys40(Ahx-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid [DTPA])NH2]-exendin-4 SPECT/CT, 68Ga- DOTATATE PET/CT, and in vitro receptor autoradiography were performed to assess the receptor status and to evaluate the detection rate. Results: GLP-1 receptor targeting was positive in 4 of 11 patients, and sst2 receptor expression was positive in 8 of 11. In only 1 patient were both receptors expressed. In 1 patient, GLP-1 receptor imaging was the only method that successfully localized the primary tumor in the pancreas. In 3 patients with sst2-expressing tumors, DOTATATE radiotherapy was effectively applied. Conclusion: As opposed to benign insulinomas, malignant insulinomas often lack GLP-1 receptors. Conversely, malignant insulinomas often express sst2, which can be targeted therapeutically.
Market Reaction to Changes in German Official Interest Rates

Anderungen der Notenbankzinsen sind in Deutschland wie in allen anderen westlichen Industrielandern das zentrale Instrument der Geldpolitik. Sie stellen den ersten Schritt im monetaren Transmissionsprozes dar. Die wichtigsten Notenbankzinsen sind in Deutschland der Pensionssatz, der Lombard-und der Diskontsatz. In dieser Arbeit werden die unmittelbaren Marktreaktionen auf Anderungen der Leitzinsen untersucht. Dabei interessiert vor allem, welche Signalwirkungen von Notenbankzinsanderungen auf die Marktzinssatze aller Pristigkeiten und auf andere finanzielle Preise ausgehen. Insbesondere werden die Reaktionen der Geldmarktzinsen, der Rendite offentlicher Wertpapiere, der impliziten Terminsatze, der Wechselkurse, der auslandischen Zinssatze und schlieslich der Aktienkurse im unmittelbaren Umfeld von Anderungen der Leitzinssatze beobachtet .
Markers of Islet Endothelial Dysfunction Occur in Male B6.BKS(D)-Leprdb/J Mice and May Contribute to Reduced Insulin Release

Islet endothelial cells produce paracrine factors that support β-cell function and growth. Endothelial dysfunction underlies diabetic microvascular complications; thus, we hypothesized that in diabetes, islet endothelial cells become dysfunctional, which may contribute to β-cell secretory dysfunction. Islets/islet endothelial cells were isolated from diabetic B6.BKS(D)-Leprdb/J male (db/db) mice, treated with or without the glucose-lowering agent phlorizin, or from C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet for 18 weeks and appropriate controls. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and/or the protein levels of the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin (Sele), proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (Il6), vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (Edn1), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (Nos3; Nos3) were evaluated, along with advanced glycation end product immunoreactivity. Furthermore, an islet endothelial cell line (MS-1) was exposed to diabetic factors (glucose, palmitate, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor-α) for six days. Conditioned media were collected from these cells, incubated with isolated islets, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin content were assessed. Islet endothelial cells from db/db mice exhibited increased Sele, Il6, and Edn1 mRNA levels, decreased Nos3 protein, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products. Phlorizin treatment significantly increased Nos3 protein levels but did not alter expression of the other markers. High-fat feeding in C57BL/6J mice resulted in increased islet Sele, Il6, and Edn1 but no change in Nos3. Exposure of islets to conditioned media from MS-1 cells cultured in diabetic conditions resulted in a 50% decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and 30% decrease in insulin content. These findings demonstrate that, in diabetes, islet endothelial cells show evidence of a dysfunctional phenotype, which may contribute to loss of β-cell function.
Multi-megawatt wind turbine converter configurations suitable for off-shore applications, combining 3-L NPC PEBBs

This paper presents two power converter configurations, suitable for an off-shore wind turbine in the range of 6 MW. These, which may either drive a Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) or an Electrically Excited Synchronous Generator (EESG), are built combining a number of water-cooled, 3.1 kV, 3-Level Neutral Point Clamped (3L-NPC) Power Electronic Building Blocks (PEBB) that are based on High Voltage IGBTs (HV-IGBT). The first configuration employs two electrically isolated conversion lines, achieved by having two independent stator windings, where the converter outputs are connected in parallel at the grid side by means of two sets of line inductors. The second configuration employs a series connection, achieved by having open-end terminal connections, both at the machine and grid-side transformer. The paper begins by describing the PEBB modules, followed by the detailed description of the proposed configurations. Subsequently, a detailed comparison considering the main features for an offshore application is presented.
THE ROLE OF NON-ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCAN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE RIGHT LOWER QUADRANT PAIN

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of non -enhanced helical computed tomography scan in patients with acute right lower quadrant pain and diagnosing acute appendicitis. Method: A total number of 70 patients presented with right lower quadrant pain, suspected to have appendicitis were referred by emergency and surgical departments for a non -enhanced helical computed tomography scan. The primary computed tomography criteria for diagnosing acute appendicitis were a distended appendix greater than 6 mm in maximal diameter, appendiceal wall thickening, and free peritoneal fluid. Prospective diagnoses based on computed tomography findings were compared with surgical results and clinical follow -up. Results: Acute appendicitis was diagnosed in 30 of the 70 patients (43%). Of the 30 patients with a computed tomography diagnosis of acute appendicitis, 27 (39%) had acute appendiciti s proven by surgery and pathology. Twenty-two (31%) patients had a normal computed tomography study and 18 (26%) patients had non-appendiceal pathologies. There were 27 true-positives, 38 true negatives, 3 false positives, and 2 false negatives. Non -contrast helical computed tomography had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 95%, and accuracy of 95%. Conclusion: This study shows that non-enhanced Computed tomography is a useful test to diagnose appendicitis in patients with acute abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant.
On Using Statistical Semantic on Domain Specific Information Retrieval

Information retrieval must move from a pure surface-based point-of-view to a conceptual pointof-view that matches the contents on a semantic level. Exploring the opportunities offered by statistical semantics, we revisit text-based retrieval on two very different domains (social image as well as patent retrieval) in order to provide a comparative analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of the analyzed methods. Our semantic-based retrieval approach consists of two elements: first, the methods to create the semantic representations of the terms and second, the approaches to measure the conceptual-based similarity of the texts. For term representations, we use Word2Vec, a state-of-the-art approach based on deep learning, as well as Random Indexing, a more straightforward but effective count-based method. Reviewing the literature, we also select two text similarity methods: one directly measuring similarity at document level (SimAgg) and the other considering the similarity of two documents as a linear combination of the relatedness of their terms (SimGreedy). We assess the performance and limitations of the mentioned methods, by comparing them to the state-of-the-art text search engines. On both the domains, our semantic retrieval methods show a statistically significant improvement in comparison to a best practice term-frequencybased search engine, at the expense of a significant increase in processing time. To address the time-complexity problem of semantic-based methods, we also focus on optimization to enable larger and more real-world style applications.
White Paper: Radio Emission and Polarization Properties of Galaxy Clusters with VLASS

We outline the science case for extended radio emission and polarization in galaxy clusters which would be a scientifically important area of research for an upcoming Jansky Very Large Array Sky Survey. The survey would provide a major contribution in three key areas of the physics of clusters: 1) the active galactic nucleus population and the impact of feedback on the evolution of the intra-cluster medium, 2) the origin and evolution of diffuse cluster radio sources to probe the physics of mergers with implications for cosmology, and 3) the origin and role of magnetic fields in the ICM and in large scale structures. Considering all three areas, a survey must have sufficient spatial resolution to study the tailed galaxies which trace the cluster weather as well as the radio lobes driving energy into the cluster from the central AGN. The survey must also have sensitivity to low surface brightness emission and large angular scales to probe radio halos and relics as well as the WHIM residing in the large scale structure filaments. Finally, we note that full polarization information would be a highly valuable tool to probe a number of cluster-related issues. Due to the general steep spectral index of the emission we consider the survey is best suited to this science when conducted in P, L, or S bands. We conclude that the choices of S Band + D Configuration, L Band + C Configuration, and P Band + B Configuration offer optimal resolutions for constraining galactic interactions and feedback in cluster environments, while still probing large scale structure and the bulk cluster environment itself. While the push to probe higher redshifts and lower mass limits strongly favors a narrow and deep (or even targeted) survey strategy, we note that a wide survey covering roughly 1/4-2/3 of the sky will have significant scientific return, discovery potential, and archival value.
Beyond Weather Time-Scale Prediction for Hurricane Sandy and Super Typhoon Haiyan in a Global Climate Model

AbstractWhile tropical cyclone (TC) prediction, in particular TC genesis, remains very challenging, accurate prediction of TCs is critical for timely preparedness and mitigation. Using a new version of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) coupled model, the authors studied the predictability of two destructive landfall TCs: Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Results demonstrate that the geneses of these two TCs are highly predictable with the maximum prediction lead time reaching 11 days. The “beyond weather time scale” predictability of tropical cyclogenesis is primarily attributed to the model’s skillful prediction of the intraseasonal Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and the westward propagation of easterly waves. Meanwhile, the landfall location and time can be predicted one week ahead for Sandy’s U.S landfall, and two weeks ahead for Haiyan’s landing in the Philippines. The success in predicting Sandy and Haiyan, together with low false alarms, indicates the potentia.
Optimising the dichotomy limit for left ventricular ejection fraction in selecting patients for defibrillator therapy after myocardial infarction

Background: The selection of patients for prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrilator (ICD) treatment after myocardial infarction (MI) remains controversial. Aim: To determine the optimum left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) dichotomy limit for ICD treatment in patients with a history of MI. Methods and results: Data from the placebo arms of four randomised trials were pooled to create a cohort of 2828 patients (2206 men, mean (SD) age 65 (11) years) with reduced left ventricular function after MI. The median LVEF was 33% (range 6–40%). LVEF significantly predicted mortality. Each 10% reduction in LVEF <40% conferred a 42% increase in all-cause mortality, a 39% increase in arrhythmic cardiac mortality and a 49% increase in non-arrhythmic cardiac mortality over the 2-year period of follow-up (p<0.001 for all modes of mortality). As the LVEF progressively decreased from ⩽40% to ⩽10%, the data show a U-shaped relationship between the dichotomy limit for LVEF used and the number of patients who must be treated to prevent one arrhythmic death in 2 years. At an LVEF of 16–20%, more patients are likely to die from arrhythmic than non-arrhythmic cardiac deaths, whereas in those with LVEF ⩽10% all deaths were non-arrhythmic. However, the total number of deaths substantially decreased with lower LVEF. Conclusion: A trade-off exists between the sensitivity and positive predictive accuracy across a range of LVEF, and no single dichotomy limit is completely satisfactory. In patients with LVEF ⩽10% ICD treatment was not beneficial as all patients in this subgroup died from non-arrhythmic causes. The use of a single dichotomy limit for LVEF alone is not sufficient in selecting patients for ICD treatment in the primary prevention of cardiac arrest.
MR‐Guided Intervention in Women at High Hereditary Risk of Breast Cancer Due to both Family and Personal History of Breast Cancer

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided intervention in women with a significant hereditary susceptibility to breast cancer due to both family and personal history of breast cancer (heterozygote risk >20%). Thirty women were referred for MR‐guided intervention. MR examinations (1.0 T, T1‐weighted 3D FLASH, 0.15 mmol Gd‐DTPA/kg body weight, prone position) were performed using a system which allows vacuum‐assisted breast biopsy or wire localization. Histologic findings in 41 procedures revealed six invasive carcinomas, eight ductal carcinomas in situ and two atypical ductal hyperplasias. Twenty‐three benign histologic results were verified by an MR‐guided intervention, retrospective correlation of imaging and histology and by subsequent follow‐up. In two lesions the indication dropped as the enhancing lesion was no longer visible on the date of planned intervention. Absent enhancement was confirmed by short‐term reimaging of the noncompressed breast and by follow‐up.
Output-Based Event-Triggered Control with Performance Guarantees

We propose an output-based event-triggered control solution for linear discrete-time systems with a performance guarantee relative to periodic time-triggered control, while reducing the communication load. The performance is expressed as an average quadratic cost and the plant is disturbed by Gaussian process and measurement noises. We establish several connections with previous works in the literature discussing, in particular, the relation to absolute and relative threshold policies. The usefulness of the results is illustrated through a numerical example.
Acute viral respiratory infections among children in MERS‐endemic Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2012–2013

The emergence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia has intensified focus on Acute Respiratory Infections [ARIs]. This study sought to identify respiratory viruses (RVs) associated with ARIs in children presenting at a tertiary hospital. Children (aged ≤13) presenting with ARI between January 2012 and December 2013 tested for 15 RVs using the SeeplexR RV15 kit were retrospectively included. Epidemiological data was retrieved from patient records. Of the 2235 children tested, 61.5% were ≤1 year with a male: female ratio of 3:2. Viruses were detected in 1364 (61.02%) children, 233 (10.4%) having dual infections: these viruses include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (24%), human rhinovirus (hRV) (19.7%), adenovirus (5.7%), influenza virus (5.3%), and parainfluenzavirus‐3 (4.6%). Children, aged 9–11 months, were most infected (60.9%). Lower respiratory tract infections (55.4%) were significantly more than upper respiratory tract infection (45.3%) (P < 0.001). Seasonal variation of RV was directly and inversely proportional to relative humidity and temperature, respectively, for non MERS coronaviruses (NL63, 229E, and OC43). The study confirms community‐acquired RV associated with ARI in children and suggests modulating roles for abiotic factors in RV epidemiology. However, community‐based studies are needed to elucidate how these factors locally influence RV epidemiology. J. Med. Virol. 89:195–201, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.