Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomy of the supratrochlear nerve: implications for the surgical treatment of migraine headaches.

Sir: W this research on the anatomy of the supratrochlear nerve, Dr. Janis and his continuing list of collaborators have added to their excellent series of beautifully illustrated texts on the periorbital anatomy as it relates to our understanding of a peripheral nerve basis for initiation and maintenance of the clinical syndrome known as a migraine headache. The critical importance of their anatomic observations relates to the peripheral nerve concepts of (1) failure of decompression versus recurrent symptoms and (2) compression versus neuroma. Our current surgical approaches to the treatment of migraine headaches are related to observations made following aesthetic surgery, and the continued pursuit of treating migraine headaches is primarily by aesthetic surgical techniques. Since the observation that removal of the corrugator muscle and/or botulinum toxin type A injection of the corrugator implicated the entrapment of supraorbital nerves in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraine headaches, the surgical approach is generally through a brow lift/ endoscopic approach. The 80 percent success rate with this approach is wonderful, but it raises the question of why the 80 percent is really more like 80 percent of the patients get 50 percent relief and 20 percent get no relief. There are two obvious answers to this question when one applies principles of peripheral nerve surgery.1 1. The double crush concept suggests that there can be multiple sites of compression along the course of a peripheral nerve, and it may only take release of one of these sites to achieve relief of symptoms. If symptoms persist, however, it is critically important to search for a second or third site of compression. For the supraorbital nerve, persistence of migraine headache after endoscopic removal of the corrugator implies that the supraorbital nerve is still compressed, most likely within the supraorbital notch by Letters May
High-Throughput Solid Solution Strengthening Characterization in High Entropy Alloys

Abstract While some high entropy alloys (HEAs) have been shown to display remarkable combinations of properties, exploration of the extensive multicomponent space by conventional methods is experimentally intractable. Thus, identifying and developing high-throughput screening methods is paramount to alloy design. Here, an experimental methodology is developed for rapid yield strength estimations of single-phase HEAs, which involves the production and testing of a compositionally-graded sample made by a diffusion-multiple approach. The sample is analyzed by a combination of nanoindentation and microstructural characterization, where the nanohardness results are analyzed by different conversion equations to determine yield strength. The values estimated by nanohardness agree with bulk tensile properties for a total of 8 compositions. Both are compared to a solid solution strengthening model, again yielding a good correlation. The experimental and simulation results indicate that, in this system, the strength is maximized when the atomic size mismatch is maximized. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the strain hardening of these alloys to accurately estimate their strength by nanoindentation. A pathway is presented here. This work shows that high-throughput methodologies for predicting and measuring properties are promising for designing new HEAs with desirable combinations of properties.
A Stochastic Model for NBTI-Induced LSI Degradation in Field

Electronic systems that consist of various LSIs require very high reliability in field, however, physical degradation phenomena such as NBTI (Negative Bias Temperature Instability) make it difficult to keep reliability in field only by conventional manufacturing-based LSI testing. This paper proposes a stochastic model for NBTI-induced degradation in field and analyzes the effects of parameters that affect LSI failure rate by simulation. Quantitative discussions show a guideline for reliable design and test.
Task scheduling strategy based on data replication in scientific Cloud workflows

The invention of Cloud computing as a new model of service provisioning in distributed systems encourages re- searchers to investigate its benefits and drawbacks in executing applications. In recent years, Cloud computing is fast evolving as the target platform for such applications among researchers. Furthermore, new pricing models have been pioneered by Cloud providers that allow users to provision resources and to use them in an efficient manner with significant cost reductions. Ap- proaches for scheduling and data placement is often highly correlated, which take into account a few factors at the same time, and what are the most often adapted to applications data medium and therefore doesn't go to scale. In this work, we propose an optimization approach that takes into account an effective data placement and scheduling of tasks grouped based on data replication in scientific Cloud environments. This proposed approach improve data placement and minimize response time due to scheduling tasks to data centers that contain the majority of the required data.
Poor adherence to antihypertensive drugs

#### What you need to know A 56 year old man has had persistently raised blood pressure readings at home and in clinic since his diagnosis of hypertension three years ago. He was diagnosed after ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and is prescribed four antihypertensives. At a routine blood pressure review he says not to bother with another prescription because he doesn’t take the drugs. As many as half of patients with apparent resistant hypertension do not take their prescribed drugs.1 Consider non-adherence in those taking antihypertensives with elevated blood pressure readings particularly in those with apparent resistant hypertension, where blood pressure is persistently ≥140/90 mm Hg despite taking ≥3 titrated antihypertensive drugs including a diuretic. Biological resistant hypertension affects around 10% of those treated for hypertension in the United Kingdom, and such patients need specialist management. Attempt to identify and manage poor adherence before referring the patient to a specialist. To find out about adherence to drugs ask patients questions such as: “I know many people have difficulty taking their medicines, how do you manage yours? ” or “Take me through your medications. ” The rate that patients are prescribed or collect their drugs can also provide information on adherence. In patients whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite multiple (≥3) antihypertensive drugs consider referral to a specialist hypertension clinic for directly observed therapy, …
The expression of chemokine receptors CCR6, CXCR2 and CXCR4 is not organ‐specific for distant metastasis in colorectal cancer: a comparative study

The liver and lung are the organs most commonly affected by metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC), and the interaction of chemokines and chemokine receptors (CKRs) plays an important role in the metastatic process. The aim of this study was to investigate the organ specificity of CKRs in CRC distant metastasis.
Achilles' Heel of Sociality Revealed by Energetic Poverty Trap in Cursorial Hunters

This study empirically tests two foundation ecological theories: (1) pack hunting is a driver for the evolution of sociality; and (2) species have a finite energy potential, whereby increased maintenance costs result in decreased reproductive effort. Using activity and prey data from 22 packs of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), we parameterized a model detailing the energetic cost/benefit of cooperative hunting. Larger pack size increased foraging time, prey size, and capture probability while reducing chase distance, resulting in a rapidly increasing net rate of energy intake up to a pack size of five, which peaked at 10 individuals and then declined. With a streamlined body plan necessary for hypercursoriality limiting stomach capacity in smaller packs, it was demonstrated that the group hunting benefit will rather accrue to widely foraging predators than to “sit‐and‐wait” ones. Reproductive effort, measured by the number of pups born, revealed smaller litters with decreasing pack size, validated finite energy theory, and highlighted a “poverty trap” where smaller groups have lower foraging gains, smaller litters, and increased vulnerability to extirpation. Consequently, these results demonstrated a mechanistic example of pervasive selection for maximal body size (Cope’s rule), leading to a macroevolutionary ratchet, where sociality linked to hypercursoriality is betrayed by an Achilles' heel.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Update: An Emphasis on Safe and High‐Quality Care

&NA; Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was introduced more than 40 years ago as a renal support option for critically ill patients who had contraindications to intermittent hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Despite being the most common renal support therapy used in intensive care units today, the tremendous variability in CRRT management challenges the interpretation of findings from CRRT outcome studies. The lack of standardization in practice and training of clinicians along with the high risk of CRRT‐related adverse events has been the impetus for the recent expert consensus work on identifying quality indicators for CRRT programs. This article summarizes the potential complications that establish CRRT as a high‐risk therapy and also the recently published best‐practice recommendations for providing high‐quality CRRT.
New on the PAGES bookshelf Sustainability or Collapse ? An integreated history and future of people on Earth ( IHOPE ) Dahlem Workshop

Polus Antarctica: Terra Australis Incognita This map, produced in 1642 by Hendrik Hondius, shows the extent of geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere 365 years ago. Although our geographic knowledge of the region has obviously come a long way since then, the sparsity in the 17th century, shown here, is representative of the current state of our understanding of the paleoclimate of the southern hemisphere. There is much to be done! (Map supplied by the National Library of Australia.) The newsletter cover nicely symbolizes the general perception of poor knowledge about the southern hemisphere, which extends into the paleoclimatic realm. Certainly, the tradition of Quaternary research stems from the northern hemisphere and a sustained focus is justified by the dominant role of the North Atlantic region in modulating climate change. The establishment of the PAGES Pole-Equator Pole (PEP) transects led to a major impetus in the integration of information from southern and northern continents, and further highlighted the geographical separation of southern landmasses. One attempt to provide a southern focus was the INQUA and PAGES inspired 'Paleoclimates of the Southern Hemisphere' (PASH) program, but it succumbed to the tyranny of distance. The increasing recognition over the last few years of the necessity for a global synthesis in order to refine climate change models— together with an acknowledgement that southern and low-latitude climate mechanisms had a much greater impact on paleoclimate than previously realized (e.g., with the specific presence of a huge ice sheet, surrounded by an ocean playing a key role in redistributing energy and carbon)—has provided a boost to Antipodean project formulation and execution*. But the picture still remains far from the spatial and temporal coverage of its northern counterpart. This newsletter issue focuses on some science highlights and news articles, which are predominantly linked with these Antipodean projects, and covers all major southern landmasses and the Southern Ocean. Antarctica and its archives have proved a trigger for southern hemisphere research by providing insights into, for example, the polar 'see-saw' , the mid-Bruhnes transition—through evidence of a switch to more pronounced interglacials—and the full temporal extent of the current ice-age (the last ca. 35 Myr). Contributions relating to Antarctica in this issue derive from such projects as those within IPICS (International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences), SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) and ACE (Antarctic Climate Evolution), and extend the main timescale of PAGES interest, in recognition of the …
A Comparison of 3 Wound Measurement Techniques: Effects of Pressure Ulcer Size and Shape

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the levels of agreement among 3 techniques used in wound measurement comparing more spherical versus irregularly shaped wounds. DESIGN: The design of this study is evaluative research. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Sixty-five consecutive patients with 80 pressure ulcers of various sizes referred from a university hospital in Izmir, Turkey, were evaluated. METHODS: The 80 pressure ulcers identified on the 65 participants were divided into 2 groups based on pressure ulcer shape and wound surface area. Twenty-four of the 80 ulcers (30%) were characterized as irregularly shaped and greater than 10 cm2. Fifty-six were regularly shaped (approximating a circle) and less than 10 cm2. Pressure ulcer areas were measured using 3 techniques: measurement with a ruler (wound area was calculated by measuring and multiplying the greatest length by the greatest width perpendicular to the greatest length), wound tracing using graduated acetate paper, and digital planimetry. The level of agreement among the techniques was explored using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Strong agreement was observed among the techniques when assessing small, more regularly shaped wounds (ICC = 0.95). Modest agreement was achieved when measuring larger, irregularly shaped wounds (ICC = 0.70). CONCLUSION: Each of these techniques is adequate for measuring surface areas of smaller wounds with an approximately circular shape. Measurement of pressure ulcer area via the ruler method tended to overestimate surface area in larger and more irregularly shaped wounds when compared to acetate and digital planimetry. We recommend digital planimetry or acetate tracing for measurement of larger and more irregularly shaped pressure ulcers in the clinical setting.
Acid-induced aggregation propensity of nivolumab is dependent on the Fc

ABSTRACT Nivolumab, an anti-programmed death (PD)1 IgG4 antibody, has shown notable success as a cancer treatment. Here, we report that nivolumab was susceptible to aggregation during manufacturing, particularly in routine purification steps. Our experimental results showed that exposure to low pH caused aggregation of nivolumab, and the Fc was primarily responsible for an acid-induced unfolding phenomenon. To compare the intrinsic propensity of acid-induced aggregation for other IgGs subclasses, tocilizumab (IgG1), panitumumab (IgG2) and atezolizumab (aglyco-IgG1) were also investigated. The accurate pH threshold of acid-induced aggregation for individual IgG Fc subclasses was identified and ranked as: IgG1 < aglyco-IgG1 < IgG2 < IgG4. This result was cross-validated by thermostability and conformation analysis. We also assessed the effect of several protein stabilizers on nivolumab, and found mannitol ameliorated the acid-induced aggregation of the molecule. Our results provide valuable insight into downstream manufacturing process development, especially for immune checkpoint modulating molecules with a human IgG4 backbone.
Whey protein active films incorporated with a blend of essential oils: Characterization and effectiveness

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) films incorporated with a blend of Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils were characterized and evaluated for their effectiveness as an antioxidant for food applications. The effect of the incorporation of essential oils (EOs) at different concentrations (1, 2, 2.7, and 5% w/w) in WPC were studied by measuring their physical, optical, mechanical, and microstructural properties, in order to evaluate their behavior as a food packaging. The effectiveness of these active WPC films as a packaged was evaluated using a fatty food model (salami). The state of the salami oxidation was measured by the TBARs and hexanal assays during 180 days of storage. A yellowish characteristic color and opacity of WPC‐based films tend to increase with the increase of the EO concentration in the film formulation. While films containing 1 and 2% of EOs showed to be the most hydrophobic and present the lowest moisture content and solubility in water, films with higher EOs % (2, 2.7, and 5%, w/w) presented the highest water vapor transmission rate. The developed WPC active films showed to be heterogeneous, presenting cracks and pores due to the weakening of the polymer chain interaction forces by the EOs, which affected their mechanical behavior. WPC films incorporated with EOs may retard lipid oxidation induced by UV light in food. Besides, they showed to be very effective in the reduction of lipid oxidation in a previous assay with salami, with a longer storage time.
University of Birmingham Subwavelength direct laser nanopatterning via microparticle arrays for functionalizing metallic surfaces

ABSTRACT Functionalized metallic nano-features can be selectively fabricated via ultrashort laser processing, however the cost-effective large-area texturing, intrinsically constrained by the diffraction limit of light, remains a challenging issue. A high-intensity near-field phenomenon that takes place when irradiating micro-sized spheres, referred to as Photonic Nanojet (PN), was investigated in the transitional state between geometrical optics and dipole regime to fabricate functionalized metallic subwavelength-features. Finite element simulations were performed to predict the PN focal length and beam spot size, and nano-feature formation. A systematic approach was employed to functionalize metallic surface by varying the pulse energy, focal offset and number of pulses to fabricate controlled array of nanoholes and to study the generation of triangular and rhombic Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS). Finally, large-area texturing was investigated to minimize the dry laser cleaning effect and improve homogeneity of PN-assisted texturing. Tailored dimensions and densities of achievable surface patterns could provide hexagonal light scattering and selective optical reflectance for a specific light wavelength. Surfaces exhibited controlled wetting properties with either hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. No correlation was found between wetting and microbacterial colonization properties of textured metallic surfaces after 4h incubation of E. coli. However, an unexpected bacterial repellency was observed.
A Critical Appraisal of the Evolution of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Therapy A Critical Appraisal of the Evolution of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Therapy and the Evidence Behind the Current Treatment Guidelines

In the United States cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of and is responsible for 26% of deaths each year. Half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2006 were women. In 2009, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 785,000 Americans had a new myocardial infarction and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. Nearly 400,000 Americans will die of CHD in 2010. The cost of heart disease in terms of health care services, medications, and lost productivity for 2010 has been estimated at $316.4 billion. The current therapeutic guidelines for the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction are re- viewed from a historical perspective, and the scientific evidence behind such guidelines is systematically analyzed.
Unhealthy assimilation: Why do immigrants converge to American health status levels?

It is well documented that immigrants are in better health upon arrival in the United States than their American counterparts but that this health advantage erodes over time. We study the potential determinants of this “healthy immigrant effect,” with a particular focus on the tendency of immigrants to converge to unhealthy American BMI levels. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey, we find that average female and male immigrants enter the United States with BMIs that are approximately two and five percentage points lower than native-born women and men, respectively. Consistent with the declining health status of immigrants the longer they remain in the United States, we also find that female immigrants almost completely converge to American BMIs within 10 years of arrival, and men close a third of the gap within 15 years.
Pilates for Improvement of Muscle Endurance, Flexibility, Balance, and Posture

Kloubec, JA. Pilates for improvement of muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and posture. J Strength Cond Res 24(3): 661-667, 2010-Many claims have been made about the effectiveness of Pilates exercise on the basic parameters of fitness. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal endurance, hamstring flexibility, upper-body muscular endurance, posture, and balance. Fifty subjects were recruited to participate in a 12-week Pilates class, which met for 1 hour 2 times per week. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 25) or control group (n = 25). Subjects performed the essential (basic) mat routine consisting of ∼25 separate exercises focusing on muscular endurance and flexibility of the abdomen, low back, and hips each class session. At the end of the 12-week period, a 1-way analysis of covariance showed a significant level of improvement (p ≤ 0.05) in all variables except posture and balance. This study demonstrated that in active middle-aged men and women, exposure to Pilates exercise for 12 weeks, for two 60-minute sessions per week, was enough to promote statistically significant increases in abdominal endurance, hamstring flexibility, and upper-body muscular endurance. Participants did not demonstrate improvements in either posture or balance when compared with the control group. Exercise-training programs that address physical inactivity concerns and that are accessible and enjoyable to the general public are a desirable commodity for exercise and fitness trainers. This study suggests that individuals can improve their muscular endurance and flexibility using relatively low-intensity Pilates exercises that do not require equipment or a high degree of skill and are easy to master and use within a personal fitness routine.
Occurrence of Fusarium langsethiae and T-2 and HT-2 Toxins in Italian Malting Barley

T-2 and HT-2 toxins are two of the most toxic members of type-A trichothecenes, produced by a number of Fusarium species. The occurrence of these mycotoxins was studied in barley samples during a survey carried out in the 2011–2014 growing seasons in climatically different regions in Italy. The percentage of samples found positive ranges from 22% to 53%, with values included between 26 and 787 μg/kg. The percentage of samples with a T-2 and HT-2 content above the EU indicative levels for barley of 200 μg/kg ranges from 2% to 19.6% in the 2011–2014 period. The fungal species responsible for the production of these toxins in 100% of positive samples has been identified as Fusarium langsethiae, a well-known producer of T-2 and HT-2 toxins. A positive correlation between the amount of F. langsethiae DNA and of the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins was found. This is the first report on the occurrence of F. langsethiae—and of its toxic metabolites T-2 and HT-2—in malting barley grown in Italy.