Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apolipoprotein D expression does not predict breast cancer recurrence among tamoxifen-treated patients

Background Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) has been proposed as a predictor of breast cancer recurrence among estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), tamoxifen-treated patients. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control study nested in a population of 11,251 women aged 35–69 years at diagnosis with Stage I–III breast cancer between 1985 and 2001 on Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula and registered with the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group. We identified 541 recurrent or contralateral breast cancers cases among women with ER+ disease treated with tamoxifen for at least 1 year and 300 cases in women with ER– disease never treated with tamoxifen. We matched one control subject per case and assessed ApoD expression in the tumor cell nucleus and cytoplasm using tissue microarray immunohistochemistry. We computed the odds ratio (OR) associating ApoD expression with recurrence and adjusted for potential confounding using logistic regression. Results Cytoplasmic ApoD expression was seen in 68% of ER+ tumors, in 66% of ER– tumors, and in 66% of controls across both groups. In women with ER+ tumors, the associations of cytoplasmic ApoD expression with recurrence (OR = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.7 to 1.4) and increasing cytoplasmic expression with recurrence (OR = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.996 to 1.003) were null, as were those for women with ER– tumors. Associations for nuclear ApoD expression and combined nuclear and cytoplasmic expression were similarly near-null. Conclusion ApoD expression is likely not a predictor of recurrence in tamoxifen-treated patients. Impact This study eliminates the previously suggested marker ApoD as a predictor of recurrence among tamoxifen-treated women.
Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Gene and Regulator of G-protein Signaling 2 Gene Expression Level and Association with Oocyte Maturity in In vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycle

Aims: The aim is to study the relation and distribution in gene expression level of the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) gene and regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) gene expression with oocyte maturation. Setting and Design: This cross-sectional study was undertaken in an instruction-based tertiary care infertility unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology. Materials and Methods: After controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, cumulus granulosa cells (CCs) from 59 oocytes among 18 women being treated by in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle technique from November 2015 to January 2016 were collected on the day of oocyte retrieval. Total RNA was extracted and converted to cDNA in individual oocytes. LHR and RGS2 gene levels were measured and analyzed using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction. Statistical Analysis: Gene expression level was analyzed using software STATA, version 14.0 (College Station, TX: StataCorp LP, USA). Results: CCs were obtained from 59 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC), 46 COC from metaphase II (CCMII), 13 COC from metaphase I, and GV oocyte (CCMI + GV). The RGS2 gene expression level, when compared with the housekeeping gene in CCMIIand CCMI + GV, was 0.15 (0.05–0.52) and 0.08 (0.02–0.27), respectively. The LHR gene expression when compared with the housekeeping gene in CCMIIand CCMI + GVdid not differ and was quite in the same value that was 0.02 (0.00–0.11) and 0.02 (0.00–0.06), respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that LHR gene expression did not differ in between oocyte groups. Even though the median of RGS2 gene expression was more in the mature oocyte group, the result was inconclusive due to scattering and overlapping of gene expression data between oocyte groups.
Behavior of corrugated fibre cement sheets subjected to suction loads

espanolEste articulo presenta dos modelos numericos para evaluacion de la distribucion de tension en planchas onduladas de fibrocemento sometido a una carga de succion. Las simulaciones numericas en este trabajo, se hicieron a partir de modelos tridimensionales utilizando el software SAP2000Nonlinear, version 7:42, que se basa en el metodo de elementos finitos (MEF). Se evaluo planchas onduladas con espesor de 5 mm, teniendo en cuenta dos tramos diferentes, 1100 mm y 1530 mm. Las planchas tuvieron las 2a y 5a olas altas fijas. La carga de succion aplicada en de las planchas fue de 10 kN/m2, fue encontrado que las tensiones de planchas en la succion se distribuyen heterogeneamente un estandar mas complejo de lo que los esfuerzos de flexion obtenidos para cargas verticales. Las planchas sufren flexion en direcciones transversales y longitudinales en la carga de succion aplicada, y los puntos de fijacion de las planchas tienen concentracion de esfuerzos. Los resultados numericos de las tensiones mostraron buena concordancia con los resultados de otros investigadores y estos resultados se pueden utilizar para predecir el comportamiento de planchas onduladas de fibrocemento sometidos a cargas de viento de aspiracion. EnglishThis paper presents two numerical models for the evaluation of the distribution of stresses in corrugated sheets of fibre cement subjected to uplift load. The numerical simulations, in this case, were made from three-dimensional models using the software SAP2000Nonlinear, version 7:42, which has as base the finite elements method (MEF). Corrugated sheets with thickness of 5 mm considering two different spans, i.e., 1100 mm and 1530 mm were evaluated. The sheets had the 2nd and 5th high waves fixed. The load of suction applied on the sheets was 10 kN/m2, and it was verified that the stresses on the sheets are distributed heterogeneously in a more complex pattern than for the bending stresses for vertical loads. The sheets suffer bending in transverse and longitudinal directions for the suction load applied, and the attachment points of sheets present concentration of stresses. The numerical results of the stresses showed good agreement with the results obtained from other researchers and these results can be used to predict the behavior of corrugated sheets of fibre cement subjected to wind load suction.
The epidemiology of human hookworm infections in the southern region of Mali

Summary Two surveys of hookworm (Necator americanus) infections, conducted three years apart (December 1994 and January 1998) in a village in the Sikasso region of Mali, revealed that overall prevalence of infection was 68.7% and 53%, respectively. In both years there was a highly significant difference between the sexes in the prevalence and abundance of infection, with male subjects carrying heavier infections than females. Both prevalence and abundance of infection increased with age, although in 1998 there was a strong interaction between sex and age, arising from the declining egg counts among 16–20‐year‐old females and the continuing increase among males, reinforced by the subsequent reduction among the older males (≥ 61 years) and concomitant increase among females. After controlling for the effects of age, sex and their interaction, a highly significant positive relationship was detected between faecal egg counts of individuals who were examined in both 1994 and 1998 (n = 134), indicating predisposition to infection. This relationship remained significant in each of 4 age classes spanning 7–79 years. The members of some family compounds were shown to carry heavier infections than expected whilst others were less infected, suggesting compound‐related clustering of hookworm infections. The use of footwear increased with age but there was no significant relationship between the extent of use of footwear and the abundance of hookworm infection. Eyesight deteriorated with age and impaired vision was particularly prominent among the older sectors of the community, a legacy from the time when onchocerciasis was widely prevalent in the region. Although men with partially damaged eyes carried lower infections than expected for their age, no overall significant relationship was found between quality of vision and hookworm infections. These results are discussed in relation to hookworm epidemiology in general and in Mali in particular.
Glass/polypropylene sensor yarns integration during weaving of 2D structure

Monitoring the structure of composites inside or on its surface and crash tests are difficult to obtain in the same time. Pretest was made by insertion of four developed sensor yarns in weft and four sensor yarns in warp direction during weaving of 2D structures at the ARM loom. The weaving step of 2D fabrics due to checking the thermo-forming consolidation of sensor yarns inserted is considered as important factor for several future applications. Therefore, sensor yarns of one meter total length were made from E- glass/polypropylene (GF/PP) commingled yarn by roll to roll mechanism with plexiglass bath to obtain even coating thickness and uniform distribution. Mostly developed sensors work after its production and integration in 2D structures before consolidation, while its validation after 2D fabric consolidation has to be improved.
Unique Action of Interleukin-18 on T Cells and Other Immune Cells

Interleukin (IL)-18 was originally discovered as a factor that enhances interferon (IFN)-γ production by anti-CD3-stimulated Th1 cells, particularly in association with IL-12. IL-12 is a cytokine that induces development of Th1 cells. IL-18 cannot induce Th1 cell development, but has the capacity to activate established Th1 cells to produce IFN-γ in the presence of IL-12. Thus, IL-18 is regarded as a proinflammatory cytokine that facilitates type 1 responses. However, in the absence of IL-12 but presence of IL-2, IL-18 stimulates natural killer cells, NKT cells, and even established Th1 cells to produce IL-3, IL-9, and IL-13. Thus, IL-18 also facilitates type 2 responses. This unique function of IL-18 contributes to infection-associated allergic diseases. Together with IL-3, IL-18 stimulates mast cells and basophils to produce IL-4, IL-13, and chemical mediators such as histamine. Thus, IL-18 also induces innate-type allergic inflammation. IL-18 belongs to the IL-1 family of cytokines, which share similar molecular structures, receptors structures, and signal transduction pathways. Nevertheless, IL-18 shows a unique function by binding to a specific receptor expressed on distinct types of cells. In this review article, I will focus on the unique features of IL-18 in lymphocytes, basophils, and mast cells, particularly in comparison with IL-33.
Brazilian obligatory subterranean fauna and threats to the hypogean environment

Abstract The subterranean environment harbors species that are not capable of establishing populations in the epigean environment, i.e., the obligatory subterranean species. These organisms live in a unique selective regime in permanent darkness and usually low food availability, high air humidity in terrestrial habitats, and low temperature range allied to other unique conditions related to lithologies and past climatic influences. The pressure to increase Brazil’s economic growth relies on agricultural/pastoral industries and exporting of raw materials such as iron, limestone, ethanol, soybean, cotton, and meat, as well as huge reservoir constructions to generate electricity. Mining (even on a small scale), agricultural expansion, and hydroelectric projects are extremely harmful to subterranean biodiversity, via the modification and even destruction of hypogean habitats. The Brazilian subterranean species were analyzed with respect to their distributions, presence on the IUCN Red List, and current and potential threats to hypogean habitats. A map and three lists are presented, one with the described obligatory subterranean species, one with undescribed taxa, and one with the current and potential threats to the hypogean environment. To date, 150 obligatory subterranean species have been recorded in Brazil, plus at least 156 undescribed troglomorphic taxa, totaling 306 Brazilian troglobites/obligatory cave fauna. We also analyzed the current and potential cave threats and the conservation actions that are underway to attempt to compensate for loss of these habitats. In according to the Brazilian legislation (Decree 6640) only caves of maximum relevance are fully protected. One strategy to protect the subterranean fauna of Brazil is the inclusion of these species in the IUCN Red List (one of attributes that determines maximum relevance for caves); however, one of the IUCN assumptions is that the taxa must be formally described. It is clear that the description and proposed protection of Brazilian subterranean biodiversity depends on more systematics studies.
Generalized Approximate Message Passing Aided Frequency Domain Turbo Equalizer for Single-Carrier Spatial Modulation

In this paper, a pair of novel frequency domain equalizers for broadband single-carrier (SC) spatial modulation (SM) systems over dispersive channels are proposed by integrating with the concept of generalized approximate message passing (GAMP). Specifically, we first propose a GAMP-aided frequency domain turbo equalizer (FDTE-GAMP) operating on a vector-by-vector basis, which exploits the linear mixing channel structure composed of channel matrix and fast Fourier transforms. In the design of this novel detector, the non-Gaussian property of the transmitted SM symbol is fully investigated, in order to provide a more reliable belief of the channel symbols, leading to an accurate extrinsic information. For the sake of simplification, we propose a low-complexity version of FDTE-GAMP by forcing the variance components of transmitted symbols to be the same scalar, and thus avoiding the matrix inversion operation and maintaining a sequence of scalar operations. Simulation results show that the proposed equalizers are capable of providing a better tradeoff between the attainable bit error rate and the imposed computational complexity than the conventional FDTEs conceived for SC-SM systems.
Distribution and abundance of Panulirus spp . phyllosomas off the Mexican Caribbean coast Ashanti

—We evaluated the abundance and distribution of Panulirus spp. phyllosomas collected during two oceanographic cruises in March 2006 and January 2007 along the Mexican Caribbean coast. In total, 1138 phyllosomas were collected in 2006, and 492 were collected in 2007, comprising three families: Palinuridae; Scyllaridae; and Sinaxidae. The most abundant species of Panulirus for both cruises was Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804). DNA barcoding methods also confirmed the identity of the phyllosomal stages of Panulirus guttatus (Latreille, 1804). The most abundant phyllosomal stages of P. argus in both years were early (I–III) and mid stages (IV–VIII) mostly found near Banco Chinchorro. The least abundant late stages (IX–X) were widely dispersed offshore. During both cruises, >70% of phyllosomal abundance was concentrated in the surface layers (0–50 m). Statistical models indicated that depth, along with year, geographical area, and time of day, were important for earlyand mid-stage phyllosoma stages. The distribution and densities of phyllosomas off Quintana Roo differed among years and areas, likely due to varying environmental conditions and mediated by physical processes and the seasonality of reproductive activity of the local and regional spawning stock. In addition, early-stage phyllosomas appeared to avoid surface waters during periods of increased moonlight. Off the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico (i.e., Mexican Caribbean), the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804), is a major fishery resource, both economically and socially (Sosa-Cordero 2003, 2011). Although a decreasing trend in annual landings has been observed since the 1980s, it remains the second largest lobster fishery in the Mesoamerican Reef region after Honduras (Chavez 2009, Sosa-Cordero 2011). In the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, three families of lobsters have been described: Palinuridae; Scyllaridae; and Sinaxidae (Manzanilla-Dominguez and Gasca 2004). Within these groups, three species of the genus Panulirus are most commonly found: Caribbean spiny lobster, P. argus; spotted lobster, Panulirus guttatus (Latreille, 1804); and green lobster, Panulirus laevicauda (Latreille, 1817) (Padilla-Ramos and Briones-Fourzán 1997). research paper 1 El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR–Unidad Chetumal), Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática, Av. Centenario Km 5.5, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico CP 77014. 2 Department of Biological Sciences and School of Marine Sciences and Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824. * Corresponding author email:
New features of version 3 of the HYDRUS (2D/3D) computer software package

Abstract The capabilities of the HYDRUS-1D and HYDRUS (2D/3D) software packages continuously expanded during the last two decades. Various new capabilities were added recently to both software packages, mostly by developing new standard add-on modules such as HPx, C-Ride, UnsatChem, Wetland, Fumigant, DualPerm, and Slope Stability. The new modules may be used to simulate flow and transport processes in one- and two-dimensional transport domains and are fully supported by the HYDRUS graphical user interface (GUI). Several nonstandard add-on modules, such as Overland, Isotope, and Centrifuge, have also been developed, but are not fully supported by the HYDRUS GUI. The objective of this manuscript is to describe several additional features of the upcoming Version 3 of HYDRUS (2D/3D), which was unveiled at a recent (March 2017) HYDRUS conference and workshop in Prague. The new features include a flexible reservoir boundary condition, expanded root growth features, and new graphical capabilities of the GUI. Mathematical descriptions of the new features are provided, as well as two examples illustrating applications of the reservoir boundary condition.
An Evaluation of Computational Fluid Dynamics for Spillway Modelling

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used extensively by engineers to model and analyse complex issues related hydraulic design, planning studies for future generating stations, civil maintenance, supply efficiency, and dam safety. The integrity of computed values from CFD models is of considerable economic importance in the design, upgrading and maintenance of hydroelectric generating stations. CFD models have the ability to predict many characteristics flow over a spillway and Manitoba Hydro has had good agreement with physical model results in the past. However, date there has not been a review that brings all the available information together for a comprehensive assessment. The objective of this research is to build upon previous investigations on the use of CFD modelling, by focusing specifically on the ability to accurately model spillways using CFD. This paper discusses three-dimensional numerical modelling of several different spillway configurations using the CFD software Flow-3D and compares the predicted rating curves, pressures, and water surface elevations to corresponding physical model experimental values. The numerical model results were generally in agreement with physical model data, however, the relative differences in discharges were found to have a P/Hd dependency. The accuracy for a given model resolution and associated computational time required was also considered.
Genetic and ecological niche modeling of Calydorea crocoides (Iridaceae): an endemic species of Subtropical Highland Grasslands

Abstract Evolutionary analyses have been widely used for evaluation of genetic diversity of natural populations and correlate these data to the fitness of the species, especially in the case of threatened species. Calydorea crocoides occurs in a restricted area at altitudes from 800 to 1500 m in southern Brazil and is considered endangered. A study assessing genetic diversity, cytogenetic features and ecological niche was performed aiming to characterize C. crocoides by multidisciplinary approaches. Molecular data highlighted that most of the total variation (76%; p < 0.001) was found within populations and the parameters of genetic diversity were high at the species level (PPB = 98.97%; I = 0.4319; h = 0.2821). Gene flow (Nm) was estimated in 0.97 individuals per generation. Cytogenetically, C. crocoides presents a bimodal karyotype and low asymmetry. DAPI banding pattern was uniform, but the CMA-signal evidenced a pericentric inversion in the population ESC688. The species presents high pollen viability and two different morphologies of pollen grains. Our data showed high levels of polymorphism maintained in this species that could ensure conservationist practices in which the main goal is to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species through the maintenance of genetic diversity.
Preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of PLGA microspheres containing norquetiapine for long-acting injection

Background Norquetiapine (N-desalkyl quetiapine, NQ) is an active metabolite of quetiapine with stable pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties. However, its short half-life is a drawback for clinical applications, and long-acting formulations are required. Purpose The objectives of this study were to prepare improved entrapment efficiency NQ freebase microspheres by the solvent evaporation method with poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as a release modulator and to evaluate their physicochemical and in vitro/in vivo release properties. Methods NQ freebase PLGA (1:5 w/w) formulations were prepared by the oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion–solvent evaporation method. A solution of the drug and PLGA in 9:1 v/v dichloromethane:ethanol was mixed with 0.2% polyvinyl alcohol and homogenized at 2,800 rpm. The emulsion was stirred for 3 h to dilute and evaporate the solvent. After that, the resulting product was freeze-dried. Drug-loading capacity was measured by the validated RP-HPLC method. The surface morphology of the microspheres was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the physicochemical properties were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy particle size distribution. The in vitro dissolution test was performed using a rotary shaking bath at 37°C, with constant shaking at 50 rpm in sink condition. Results The NQ freebase microspheres prepared by o/w emulsion-solvent evaporation showed over 30% efficiency. NQ was confirmed to be amorphous in the microspheres by powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Special chemical interaction in the microspheres was not observed by FT-IR. The in vitro dissolution test demonstrated that the prepared microspheres’ release properties were maintained for more than 20 days. The in vivo test also confirmed that the particles’ long acting properties were maintained. Therefore, good in vitro–in vivo correlation was established. Conclusion In this study, NQ freebase-PLGA microspheres showed potential for the treatment of schizophrenia for long-periods.