bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ion and electron dynamics generating the Hall current in the exhaust far downstream of the reconnection x-line
Authors: Fujimoto Keizo , Takamoto Makoto
Published: January 2016

We have investigated the ion and electron dynamics generating the Hall current in the reconnection exhaust far downstream of the x-line where the exhaust width is much larger than the ion gyro-radius. A large-scale particle-in-cell simulation shows that most ions are accelerated through the Speiser-type motion in the current sheet formed at the center of the exhaust. The transition layers formed at the exhaust boundary are not identified as slow mode shocks. (The layers satisfy mostly the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions for a slow mode shock, but the energy conversion hardly occurs there.) We find that the ion drift velocity is modified around the layer due to a finite Larmor radius effect. As a result, the ions are accumulated in the downstream side of the layer, so that collimated ion jets are generated. The electrons experience two steps of acceleration in the exhaust. The first is a parallel acceleration due to the out-of-plane electric field Ey which has a parallel component in most area of the exhaust. The second is a perpendicular acceleration due to Ey at the center of the current sheet and the motion is converted to the parallel direction. Because of the second acceleration, the electron outflow velocity becomes almost uniform over the exhaust. The difference in the outflow profile between the ions and electrons results in the Hall current in large area of the exhaust. The present study demonstrates the importance of the kinetic treatments for collisionless magnetic reconnection even far downstream from the x-line.
Significant manipulation of output performance of a bridge-structured spin valve magnetoresistance sensor via an electric field
Authors: Zhang Yue , Yan Baiqian , Ou-Yang Jun , Wang Xianghao , Zhu Benpeng , Chen Shi , Yang Xiaofei
Published: January 2016

Through principles of spin-valve giant magnetoresistance (SV-GMR) effect and its application in magnetic sensors, we have investigated electric-field control of the output performance of a bridge-structured Co/Cu/NiFe/IrMn SV-GMR sensor on a PZN-PT piezoelectric substrate using the micro-magnetic simulation. We centered on the influence of the variation of uniaxial magnetic anisotropy constant (K) of Co on the output of the bridge, and K was manipulated via the stress of Co, which is generated from the strain of a piezoelectric substrate under an electric field. The results indicate that when K varies between 2 × 104 J/m3 and 10 × 104 J/m3, the output performance can be significantly manipulated: The linear range alters from between −330 Oe and 330 Oe to between −650 Oe and 650 Oe, and the sensitivity is tuned by almost 7 times, making it possible to measure magnetic fields with very different ranges. According to the converse piezoelectric effect, we have found that this variation of K can be realized by applying an electric field with the magnitude of about 2–20 kV/cm on a PZN-PT piezoelectric substrate, which is realistic in application. This result means that electric-control of SV-GMR effect has potential application in developing SV-GMR sensors with improved performance.
Dynamic phase-control of a rising sun magnetron using modulated and continuous current
Authors: Fernandez-Gutierrez Sulmer , Browning Jim , Lin Ming-Chieh , Smithe David N. , Watrous Jack
Published: January 2016

Phase-control of a magnetron is studied via simulation using a combination of a continuous current source and a modulated current source. The addressable, modulated current source is turned ON and OFF at the magnetron operating frequency in order to control the electron injection and the spoke phase. Prior simulation work using a 2D model of a Rising Sun magnetron showed that the use of 100% modulated current controlled the magnetron phase and allowed for dynamic phase control. In this work, the minimum fraction of modulated current source needed to achieve a phase control is studied. The current fractions (modulated versus continuous) were varied from 10% modulated current to 100% modulated current to study the effects on phase control. Dynamic phase-control, stability, and start up time of the device were studied for all these cases showing that with 10% modulated current and 90% continuous current, a phase shift of 180° can be achieved demonstrating dynamic phase control.
Multifunctional-layered materials for creating membrane-restricted nanodomains and nanoscale imaging
Authors: Srinivasan P.
Published: January 2016

Experimental platform that allows precise spatial positioning of biomolecules with an exquisite control at nanometer length scales is a valuable tool to study the molecular mechanisms of membrane bound signaling. Using micromachined thin film gold (Au) in layered architecture, it is possible to add both optical and biochemical functionalities in in vitro. Towards this goal, here, I show that docking of complementary DNA tethered giant phospholiposomes on Au surface can create membrane-restricted nanodomains. These nanodomains are critical features to dissect molecular choreography of membrane signaling complexes. The excited surface plasmon resonance modes of Au allow label-free imaging at diffraction-limited resolution of stably docked DNA tethered phospholiposomes, and lipid-detergent bicelle structures. Such multifunctional building block enables realizing rigorously controlled in vitro set-up to model membrane anchored biological signaling, besides serving as an optical tool for nanoscale imaging.
Multiscale model of heat dissipation mechanisms during field emission from carbon nanotube fibers
Authors: Cahay M. , Zhu W. , Fairchild S. , Murray P. T. , Back T. C. , Gruen G. J.
Published: January 2016

A multiscale model of field emission (FE) from carbon nanotube fibers (CNFs) is developed, which takes into account Joule heating within the fiber and radiative cooling and the Nottingham effect at the tip of the individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the array located at the fiber tip. The model predicts the fraction of CNTs being destroyed as a function of the applied external electric field and reproduces many experimental features observed in some recently investigated CNFs, such as order of magnitude of the emission current (mA range), low turn on electric field (fraction of V/μm), deviation from pure Fowler-Nordheim behavior at large applied electric field, hysteresis of the FE characteristics, and a spatial variation of the temperature along the CNF axis with a maximum close to its tip of a few hundred  °C.
Overcoming the adverse effects of substrate on the waveguiding properties of plasmonic nanoparticle chains
Authors: Rasskazov Ilia L. , Karpov Sergei V. , Panasyuk George Y. , Markel Vadim A.
Published: January 2016

We have studied numerically the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in linear periodic chains of plasmonic nanoparticles of different shapes. The chains are deposited on top of a thick dielectric substrate. While in many commonly considered cases the substrate tends to suppress the SPP propagation, we have found that this adverse effect is practically absent in the case when the nanoparticles have the shape of oblate spheroids with sufficiently small aspect ratio (e.g., nanodisks) whose axes of symmetry coincide with the axis of the chain.
Energy, exergy, and cost analyses of a double-glazed solar air heater using phase change material
Authors: Edalatpour Mojtaba , Kianifar Ali , Aryana Kiumars , Tiwari G. N.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, a double-glazed solar air heater (SAH) using paraffin wax as phase change material (PCM) was designed, fabricated, and tested under the climatic condition of Mashhad, Iran (latitude, 37° 28′ N and longitude, 57° 20′ E) during three typical days in the summer. The PCM stores solar radiation of the sun as latent and sensible heat during daytime and then restores such stored energy during the night. Exploitation of both first and second laws of Thermodynamics, the energy and exergy efficiencies of this system are assessed. According to the experiments undertaken, it is found that the daily energy efficiency of the system varies between 58.33% and 68.77%, whereas the daily exergy efficiency varies from 14.45% to 26.34%. Eventually, the economic analysis shows that the cost of 1 kg of heated air utilizing double-glazed SAH would be 0.0036$.
Pelletizing properties of corn stalk rind
Authors: He Xun , Wang Defu , Kong Fanting , Yu Keqiang
Published: January 2016

To enhance the value of corn stalk and promote the utilization of corn stalk in pellet fuel, the pelletizing process of corn stalk rind using a flat die pelletizer was studied. A central composite design (CCD) methodology of four factors and five levels was applied to determine the effects of four process variables, i.e., material temperature, moisture content, die hole length-diameter ratio, and spindle speed, on responses such as pellet density and power consumption per ton. The statistical analysis of data was performed using Design-expert software and second-order polynomial models generated after analysis of variance applied for the responses. Using response surface methodology, the optimal range of process variable was obtained as follows: material temperature of 78.7 to 91.1 °C moisture content of 17.6% to 26.9%, die hole length-diameter ratio of 2.62–3.04, and spindle speed of 168.2–210.5 rpm. Under these conditions, the pellet density is over 1.0 g/cm3 and power consumption per ton is below 90 kW · h/t.
First-principles study of roles of Cu and Cl in polycrystalline CdTe
Authors: Yang Ji-Hui , Yin Wan-Jian , Park Ji-Sang , Metzger Wyatt , Wei Su-Huai
Published: January 2016

Cu and Cl treatments are important processes to achieve high efficiency polycrystalline cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells, thus it will be beneficial to understand the roles they play in both bulk CdTe and CdTe grain boundaries (GBs). Using first-principles calculations, we systematically study Cu and Cl-related defects in bulk CdTe. We find that Cl has only a limited effect on improving p-type doping and too much Cl can induce deep traps in bulk CdTe, whereas Cu can enhance p-type doping of bulk CdTe. In the presence of GBs, we find that, in general, Cl and Cu will prefer to stay at GBs, especially for those with Te-Te wrong bonds, in agreement with experimental observations.
Significant enhancement of compositional and superconducting homogeneity in Ti rather than Ta-doped Nb3Sn
Authors: Tarantini C. , Sung Z-H. , Lee P. J. , Ghosh A. K. , Larbalestier D. C.
Published: January 2016

Nb3Sn wire is now very close to its final optimization, but despite its classical nature, a detailed understanding of the role of Ta and Ti doping in the A15 is not fully developed. Long thought to be essentially equivalent in their influence on Hc2, they were interchangeably applied. Here, we show that Ti produces significantly more homogeneous chemical and superconducting properties. Despite Ta-doped samples having a slightly higher Tc onset in zero-field, they always have a wider Tc-distribution. In particular, whereas the Ta-doped A15 has a Tc-distribution extending from 18 down to 5–6 K (the lowest expected Tc for the binary A15 phase), the Ti-doped samples have no A15 phase with Tc below ∼12 K. The much narrower Tc distribution in the Ti-doped samples has a positive effect on their in-field Tc-distribution too, leading to an extrapolated μ0Hc2(0) 2 T larger than the Ta-doped wire. Ti-doping also appears to be very homogeneous even when the Sn content is reduced in order to inhibit breakdown of the diffusion barriers in very high Jc conductors. The enhanced homogeneity of the Ti-doped samples appears to result from its assistance of rapid diffusion of Sn into the filaments and by its incorporation into the A15 phase interchangeably with Sn on the Sn sites of the A15 phase.
Investigation of Ge2Sb2Te5/Si nano-multilayered films for phase-change memory applications
Authors: Zheng Long , Gu Xiaomin , Ma Ligang , Wu Xiaoshan , Zhu Xiaoqin , Sui Yongxing
Published: January 2016

The phase-transition behavior and thermal stability of Ge2Sb2Te5/Si nano-multilayered films are investigated in this study. Our results reveal that the improvement in thermal stability and increase in the phase-transition temperature are not universal results for all nano-multilayered structures. The stress effect induced by thermal expansion during heating indeed could inhibit the crystallization of Ge2Sb2Te5/Si nano-multilayered films. The interface effect is believed to play a dominant role in thicker films, while the stress effect is active when the layer thickness is decreased. The gradual shift in the Raman peaks' position can support this scenario because they are modified by both the interface effect and the stress effect.
Chaos synchronization in vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser based on rotated polarization-preserved optical feedback
Authors: Nazhan Salam , Ghassemlooy Zabih , Busawon Krishna
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the influence of the rotating polarization-preserved optical feedback on the chaos synchronization of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is investigated experimentally. Two VCSELs' polarization modes (XP) and (YP) are gradually rotated and re-injected back into the VCSEL. The anti-phase dynamics synchronization of the two polarization modes is evaluated using the cross-correlation function. For a fixed optical feedback, a clear relationship is found between the cross-correlation coefficient and the polarization angle θp. It is shown that high-quality anti-phase polarization-resolved chaos synchronization is achieved at higher values of θp. The maximum value of the cross-correlation coefficient achieved is −0.99 with a zero time delay over a wide range of θp beyond 65° with a poor synchronization dynamic at θp less than 65°. Furthermore, it is observed that the antiphase irregular oscillation of the XP and YP modes changes with θp. VCSEL under the rotating polarization optical feedback can be a good candidate as a chaotic synchronization source for a secure communication system.
Effect of varying the energy density on growth performance, meat quality, caecum fermentation and microbiota of growing Rex rabbits
Authors: Wu S. J. , Liu L. , Zhu Y. L. , Wang C. Y. , Li F. C.
Published: January 2016

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of varying the digestible energy (DE) density on growth performance, meat quality, caecum fermentation and microbiota in 3–5-month-old Rex rabbits. One-hundred and eighty 3-month-old Rex rabbits were allocated in individual cages to five treatments with diets having DE levels (MJ/kg as-fed basis) of 9.46, 9.97, 10.46, 10.94 and 11.43, respectively. The results showed as follows: with increasing DE concentration the average daily gain, muscle pH value of 45 min post-mortem, caecal pH value and NH3-N concentration increased (P < 0.05). Bacterial denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) of partial 16S rRNA genes profiles were clearly different among different treatments, which suggests that the population of microorganism in the caecum was influenced by the dietary DE density.
Intergenerational effects of omega-6 fatty acids. 1. The reproductive rate of Border Leicester × Merino ewes is influenced by the diet fed to their dams around conception
Authors: Clayton E. H. , Friend M. A. , Wilkins J. F.
Published: January 2016

The proportion of female lambs was previously higher when Merino dams were fed a diet high in omega-6 (n-6) based on oats and cottonseed meal compared with low in n-6 based on silage around mating. The effect of maternal diet on the reproductive success of the female offspring from these dams has not previously been examined. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the reproductive rate of Border Leicester × Merino ewes was higher when their Merino dams were previously fed a diet high in n-6 compared with low in n-6 around conception. Merino dams were fed diets based on either silage low in n-6 or oats and cottonseed meal high in n-6 fatty acids for ~40 days pre-mating only or 40 days pre-mating and 17 days post-mating in each of 2 years. The reproductive performance (proportion pregnant and fetuses conceived) of their Border Leicester × Merino ewe offspring born in each year was examined at their first mating. Ewe lamb birthweight and fat score at the time of mating was not significantly affected by the diet fed to their dams around mating. The proportion of Border Leicester × Merino ewes pregnant was not different, however the number of fetuses per ewe was significantly (P = 0.002) higher when their dams were fed a High n-6 compared with a Low n-6 diet around mating (1.64 ± 0.05 vs 1.42 ± 0.05 fetuses/ewe pregnant, respectively). The reproduction rate of ewes may be affected by diet fed to their dams in the peri-conceptional period and could be associated with fetal programming.
Effects of melatonin implantation on cashmere growth, hormone concentrations and cashmere yield in cashmere-perennial-type Liaoning cashmere goats
Authors: Duan Chunhui , Xu Jianhai , Zhang Yu , Zhang Wei , Sun Yabo , Jia Zhihai
Published: January 2016

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of melatonin implants on cashmere growth, the concentrations of plasma melatonin and prolactin and the total cashmere yield in cashmere-perennial-type Liaoning cashmere goats. Twenty female goats were assigned to two treatments (n = 10) including a control and a treatment in which melatonin (2 mg/kg bodyweight) was implanted in March and May, respectively. The experiment lasted for 153 days. Fibre samples were collected in July, August and April the following year (before cashmere harvest). Blood samples were taken monthly from March to August. Cashmere yield was recorded after harvest. In melatonin-treated goats, cashmere length and cashmere growth rate from April to July were significantly increased (P < 0.05), but no influence was observed (P > 0.05) in August. Implantation of melatonin significantly increased plasma melatonin concentrations (P < 0.05) and decreased prolactin concentrations from April to July compared with the control group (P < 0.05), but no difference was observed in August (P > 0.05). Administration of melatonin increased the cashmere yield by 6.2% and the maximum cashmere length by 8.4%, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Moreover, the cashmere fibre diameter was not influenced by melatonin implantation (P > 0.05). The results also indicated that plasma melatonin concentrations were correlated with plasma prolactin in the regulation of cashmere growth. Implantation of melatonin was an effective way to promote cashmere growth, and administration during the cashmere slow-growing period improved cashmere production without changing cashmere fibre diameter in cashmere-perennial-type Liaoning cashmere goats.
Variation in feed utilisation by sheep undergoing compensatory growth following underfeeding with and without additional dietary nitrogen in western China
Authors: Philp Joshua , Komarek Adam M. , Pain Sarah J. , Bellotti William
Published: January 2016

Small mixed farming systems in developing economies often rely on compensatory growth to recover livestock weight lost during seasonal feed shortages; however, deficit feed management may continue to affect the capacity of livestock to efficiently use feeds even after adequate feeding has resumed. Accordingly, we compared the difference in liveweight gain and feed utilisation over time in Tan weaner sheep in western China, during a period of ad libitum compensatory feeding after alternative feed deficit scenarios. During the feed deficit period, sheep were offered, at 80% maintenance requirements, corn straw, corn grain and lucerne hay in a respective ratio of either 80 : 20 : 0 (S1 ration: metabolisable energy = 7 MJ/kg DM, crude protein = 40 g/kg DM) or 55 : 20 : 25 (S2 ration: metabolisable energy = 8 MJ/kg DM, crude protein = 65 g/kg DM) for 20 days. All sheep were then offered an ad libitum supply of the S2 ration for a further 20 days, during which DM digestibility (DMD), energy intake and liveweight was measured and compared at 5-day intervals. Results indicated that sheep previously fed the S1 ration were not able to digest as much of the ad libitum S2 ration as those previously fed the S2 ration, experiencing significantly lower DMD, energy intake and average daily weight gain. The difference in the effect of the two restrictive feeding treatments on the digestibility of the ad libitum S2 ration gradually decreased over time, indicative of a recovery adaptation during ad libitum feeding period. The rate of DMD recovery post-realimentation was greater in the S1 sheep, likely due to their significantly lower DMD values immediately following underfeeding. We concluded that the comparatively higher nutritive value of the S2 ration sustained rumen digestive function throughout the restrictive feeding period, permitting sheep to commence re-feeding under conditions that are more favourable. Additionally, it is evident that reliance on livestock winter rations typical in western China, as expressed by the S1 ration, degraded ruminant digestive conditions to such an extent that feed was used with reduced efficiency even after being supplied in adequate quantities.
A popperian approach to rational argumentation in applied ethics
Authors: Bacchini Fabio
Published: January 2016

As a consequence of Hume’s famous is-ought problem, it may seem that no rational justification of a moral statement can ever be inferentially provided, and no argument typically used in applied ethics would ever deserve the title of rational justification. This paper aims to propose a fallibilist, non-foundationalist account of rational justification of a moral standpoint based on rational argumentation. This account will be developed within a noncognitivist theory of morality — a framework that seems to constitute the most challenging context for a similar attempt. First, the paper shows how we can have a good rational justification of a moral claim also if its (necessary) moral premises are neither indubitable nor properly inferentially justified, as long as we adopt what is calleda Popperian solutionto the “problem of prescriptive basic statements”. Second, it argues that a good rational justification of a moral claim does not need to be deductively valid. Using the idea that implicit presumptions introduced by invalid inferences can be monitored by a number of related critical questions, the article distinguishes between fallacious and non-fallacious invalid arguments, and examines how a use of an invalid non-fallacious argument can count as a rational justification of a moral position in applied ethics. However, applied ethics must do its part, and must be explicitly based on rational argumentation.
Narrow presentational focus in heritage Spanish and the syntax‒discourse interface
Authors: Hoot Bradley
Published: January 2016

The grammars of bilinguals have been found to differ from those of monolinguals especially with regard to phenomena that involve the interface of syntax and discourse/pragmatics. This paper examines one syntax‒discourse interface phenomenon – presentational focus – in the grammars of heritage speakers of Spanish. The results of a contextualized acceptability judgment task indicate that lower proficiency heritage speakers show some variability in the structures they accept to realize focus, whereas higher proficiency heritage bilinguals pattern with monolinguals. These results suggest that some explanations of domain-specific vulnerability in bilingual grammars, including the Interface Hypothesis (Sorace, 2011), may need to be revised.
How aging and bilingualism influence language processing
Authors: Rossi Eleonora , Diaz Michele
Published: January 2016

Healthy non-pathological aging is characterized by cognitive and neural decline, and although language is one of the more stable areas of cognition, older adults often show deficits in language production, showing word finding failures, increased slips of the tongue, and increased pauses in speech. Overall, research on language comprehension in older healthy adults show that it is more preserved than language production. Bilingualism has been shown to confer a great deal of neuroplasticity across the life span, including a number of cognitive benefits especially in executive functions such as cognitive control. Many models of bilingual language processing have been proposed to explain bilingual language processing. However, the question remains open of how such models might be modulated by age-related changes in language. Here, we discuss how current models of language processing in non-pathological aging, and models of bilingual language processing can be integrated to provide new research directions.
Visibility and differentiation: systemic testing in a developing country context
Authors: Hoadley Ursula , Muller Johan
Published: January 2016

Why has large‐scale standardised testing attracted such a bad press? Why has pedagogic benefit to be derived from test results been downplayed? The paper investigates this question by first surveying the pros and cons of testing in the literature, and goes on to examine educators' responses to standardised, large‐scale tests in a sample of low socio‐economic status (SES) schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. The paper shows that teachers and school managers have an ambivalent attitude to tests, wary of the reputational costs they can incur, but also curious about the differentiated picture test results can give them as they learn to ‘read’ the underlying codes embedded in the results. The paper concludes that a focus on what tests make visible and a recognition of the pedagogic agency of teachers points to potential pedagogic benefits of systemic tests.
Standards as a tool for teaching and assessing cross‐curricular writing
Authors: Evensen Lars Sigfred , Berge Kjell Lars , Thygesen Ragnar , Matre Synnove , Solheim Randi
Published: January 2016

The Berge et al. article in this volume presents the functional construct of writing that underlies summative and formative assessment of writing as a key competency in Norway. A functional construct implies that specific acts of writing and their purposes constrain what is a relevant selection among the semiotic resources that writing generally affords.

In this article, we present the specific criteria that are currently being introduced in Norwegian teaching and assessment of writing, as well as selected aspects of their development. The article builds on an assumption that assessment criteria have such educational importance that even their origins, intellectual trajectories and underpinnings should be given attention in educational research. In this context, the article presents elements of a rare approach, in that national ‘norms of expected proficiency’ at politically predefined educational grade levels have been grounded in sustained collaboration with experienced teachers of writing across the curriculum, and may thus be viewed as yet unofficial ‘standards’.

In the first step, a combination of existing curricula and literature review of writer development was used to tentatively draft a first set of criteria for the grades included in a 2005 national test of writing (grades 4, 7, 10 and 11). In the second step, such criteria were developed through an iterative, long‐term process where initial criteria were confronted with the judgements of experienced teachers. Through ‘think aloud’ assessment interviews, pairs of teachers across Norway were asked to assess specific cases of students’ writings and voice criteria for their judgements, both within and across a series of domains.

In the third step, interview transcripts were used to search for criteria used by several pairs of locally situated teachers across geographically distributed schools. Criteria thus identified were pooled into a refined set of ‘national standards’ that were subsequently tested out in everyday classroom contexts. On the basis of this confrontation with educational reality, the set has been further refined to form the version presented in this article.

The Norwegian case raises a range of issues related to curriculum development, ‘standards’ and educational sustainability.
Explaining Diversity Management Outcomes
Authors: Groeneveld Sandra
Published: January 2016

This chapter is focused on what survey research has recently contributed to our knowledge of diversity management outcomes and what is to be done to bring this field further. To this end it provides an overview of recent survey research articles on diversity management outcomes. They reveal inconsistent results: whereas organizational surveys have yielded inconclusive findings with regard to the outcomes of diversity policies and management, employee surveys have often shown positive relationships between diversity policies and management and employee outcomes. The inconsistency of these findings are then further explained by discussing four main methodological weaknesses of current survey research on diversity management outcomes and by relating these issues to the main gaps in our knowledge. A research agenda for future survey research on diversity management outcomes is outlined to which questions regarding when and why diversity management would lead to favourable outcomes are central.
A phase 2 trial of everolimus and pasireotide long-acting release in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma
Authors: Shoushtari Alexander N. , Ong Leonard T. , Schoder Heiko , Singh-Kandah Shahnaz , Abbate Kelly T. , Postow Michael A. , Callahan Margaret K. , Wolchok Jedd , Chapman Paul B. , Panageas Katherine S. , Schwartz Gary K. , Carvajal Richard D.
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor would be efficacious in metastatic uveal melanoma. This was a phase 2 trial of everolimus 10 mg daily plus pasireotide long-acting release 60 mg every 28 days enrolling patients with progressive, metastatic uveal melanoma to treatment until progression by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate, defined as any objective response or RECIST 1.1 stable disease at 16 weeks. A subset of patients underwent baseline indium-111-octreotide scans. A total of 14 patients were enrolled, of which 13 were evaluable for the primary endpoint, before the study was terminated due to poor accrual. Three of 13 (26%) patients obtained clinical benefit. Seven of 13 (54%) had stable disease lasting for a median of 8 weeks (range: 8–16 weeks). Grade 3 adverse events deemed at least possibly related to study drugs were hyperglycemia (n=7), oral mucositis (n=2), diarrhea (n=1), hypophosphatemia (n=1), and anemia (n=1). Seven of 14 (50%) patients required at least one dose reduction due to toxicity. Seven of eight (88%) patients with baseline indium-111-octreotide scans had at least one avid lesion, with significant intrapatient heterogeneity. There was a trend toward an association between octreotide avidity and cytostatic response to therapy (P=0.078). The combination of everolimus and pasireotide has limited clinical benefit in this small metastatic uveal melanoma cohort. Dose reductions for side effects were common. Further investigation into the relationship between somatostatin receptor expression and cytostatic activity of somatostatin analogues is warranted.
Antitumoral, antioxidant, and antimelanogenesis potencies of Hawthorn, a potential natural agent in the treatment of melanoma
Authors: Mustapha Nadia , Mokdad-Bzéouich Imèn , Maatouk Mouna , Ghedira Kamel , Hennebelle Thierry , Chekir-Ghedira Leila
Published: January 2016

The lack of an efficient agent that does not have the disadvantage of low activity (kojic acid), high cytotoxicity, and mutagenicity (hydroquinone), poor skin penetration (arbutin), or low stability in formulation (glabridin) led us to continue our research on new antipigmentation/skin-lightening agents. Therefore, research of natural products that can modulate the metabolism of pigmentation is of great interest. Otherwise, malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, with high metastatic potential, and currently, there is no effective chemotherapy against invasive melanoma. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new drugs with potent activity and weak side effects against melanoma. The in-vitro anticancer effect of hawthorn was analyzed against B16F10 melanoma cells using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The effect of isolated compounds from hawthorn on melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells was investigated by measuring the amounts of melanin and tyrosinase spectrophotometrically at 475 nm. Balb/c mice models inoculated with B16F10 mouse tumor cells were used to evaluate the in-vivo antitumoral potential of hawthorn by assessing its effect on the growth of transplanted tumors. The antioxidant potential of tested samples was evaluated in B16F10 and primary human keratinocyte cells using a cellular antioxidant activity assay. Hawthorn tested samples inhibited effectively the growth of melanoma cells in vitro. Furthermore, it appears that tested samples from hawthorn reduced melanogenesis by inhibiting the tyrosinase activity of B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In-vivo studies showed that hawthorn total oligomer flavonoids extract treatment at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight for 21 days in implanted tumor mice resulted in significant inhibition of the tumor growth volume and weight. In addition, tested samples showed significant cellular antioxidant capacity against the reactive oxygen species in B16F10 and primary human keratinocyte cells. Our results indicate that hawthorn could be considered as a promising agent for the treatment of melanoma as it shows antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, hawthorn constituents are shown to be highly effective at inhibiting tyrosinase-mediated melanogenesis in vitro on melanoma cells by preventing oxidation in these cells and without affecting the viability of normal human keratinocyte cells. Then, hawthorn might also be used as a new candidate of natural skin depigmenting agents in skin care products.
Effect of visual biofeedback to acquire supraglottic swallow in healthy individuals: a randomized-controlled trial
Authors: Imada Miho , Kagaya Hitoshi , Ishiguro Yuriko , Kato Miho , Inamoto Yoko , Tanaka Takashi , Shibata Seiko , Saitoh Eiichi
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of visual biofeedback therapy in acquiring supraglottic swallow (SGS) in a randomized-controlled trial with healthy individuals. Eighteen individuals (mean age, 26 years) who could not close or keep closed the vocal folds before and during the swallow in SGS were allocated randomly to either a visual biofeedback group (eight individuals) or a nonbiofeedback group (10 individuals). A videoendoscope was inserted intranasally and an SGS exercise, using 4 ml of green-colored water, was performed 30 times per day up to 5 days. When the participant failed to perform SGS, the result was provided only to the participants in the visual biofeedback group. The median length of time until acquiring SGS was 1.5 days in the visual biofeedback group and 3.5 days in the nonbiofeedback group (P=0.040). We concluded that visual biofeedback effectively enabled participants to acquire SGS earlier.
Useful Parameters for Distinguishing Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-Cell Lymphoma From Lupus Erythematosus Panniculitis
Authors: LeBlanc Robert E. , Tavallaee Mahkam , Kim Youn H. , Kim Jinah
Published: January 2016

Some cases of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) and lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP) demonstrate clinical and histopathologic overlap, raising the possibility that they represent opposite ends of a disease spectrum. SPTCL, however, is typically associated with greater morbidity and risk for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH); therefore, diagnostic distinction is clinically important. We present the histopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings with long-term clinical follow-up of 13 patients with SPTCL (median, 64 mo follow-up) and 7 with LEP (median, 50 mo follow-up) in our multidisciplinary cutaneous oncology clinic. Six SPTCL patients developed HLH, including 2 under the age of 21 years. In the SPTCL group, 2 of 13 patients died of disease. In contrast, we had no mortality or development of HLH in our LEP cohort. We demonstrate that a limited panel (Ki-67, CD3, CD4, and CD8 immunostains) reveals foci of “Ki-67 hotspots” enriched in cytotoxic atypical CD8+ T cells in SPTCL. Ki-67 hotspots were not identified in LEP, thus aiding the distinction of SPTCL from LEP. Lymphocyte atypia combined with adipocyte rimming of CD8+ T cells within Ki-67 hotspots was also highly specific for the diagnosis of SPTCL. Hyaline lipomembranous change, B-cell aggregates, plasmacytoid dendritic cell clusters, and plasma cell aggregates favored the diagnosis of LEP but were identified in some cases of SPTCL including patients with HLH. We confirm that SPTCL and LEP can show significant histologic overlap, suggest a role for high-throughput sequencing in confirming neoplastic clones, and introduce the concept of SPTCL “Ki-67 hotspots” in evolving disease.
Squamoid Eccrine Ductal Carcinoma
Authors: van der Horst Michiel P.J. , Garcia-Herrera Adriana , Markiewicz Dorota , Martin Blanca , Calonje Eduardo , Brenn Thomas
Published: January 2016

Squamoid eccrine ductal carcinoma is a poorly documented skin adnexal carcinoma showing squamous and duct differentiation. It is regarded to be of low-grade malignant potential, but limited follow-up information is available. To study their clinical behavior and histologic features, 30 squamoid eccrine ductal carcinomas were identified from departmental and referral files. Hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections were reviewed, and immunohistochemistry for carcinoembryonic antigen and epithelial membrane antigen was examined to confirm duct differentiation. Clinical follow-up was obtained from patient records and referring pathologists. The tumors presented as nodules or plaques (median size, 1.0 cm; range, 0.5 to 2.5 cm) with a predilection for the head and neck (77%). The patients were elderly (median age, 79.5 y; range, 10 to 96 y) with a male predominance. Histologically, these poorly demarcated tumors were characterized by an infiltrative growth pattern within the dermis and additional invasion of subcutis in 70%. Median tumor thickness was 4.3 mm (range, 1.5 to 18 mm). Superficially, the tumors resembled well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. In the deeper reaches, they were organized in cords and strands showing duct differentiation in a desmoplastic stroma. Cytologic atypia was moderate to severe. Ulceration (47%), necrosis (23%), and perineural and lymphovascular infiltration (27% and 6%, respectively) were additional features. Follow-up data (median, 29 mo; range, 7 to 99), available for 24 patients (80%), revealed a local recurrence rate of 25%. Three patients had lymph node metastasis, and 1 patient died of metastatic disease. Our study outlines the histologic characteristics of squamoid eccrine carcinoma and emphasizes its clinical behavior with risk for local recurrence and potential for more aggressive behavior with metastasis and rare disease-related mortality.
Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor of the Septum Pellucidum and the Supratentorial Midline
Authors: Gessi Marco , Hattingen Elke , Dörner Evelyn , Goschzik Tobias , Dreschmann Verena , Waha Andreas , Pietsch Torsten
Published: January 2016

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs) are one of the most common epilepsy-associated low-grade glioneuronal tumors of the central nervous system. Although most DNTs occur in the cerebral cortex, DNT-like tumors with unusual intraventricular or periventricular localizations have been reported. Most of them involve the septum pellucidum and the foramen of Monro. In this study, we have described the neuroradiologic, histopathologic, and molecular features of 7 cases (4 female and 3 male; patient age range, 3 to 34 y; mean age, 16.7 y). The tumors, all localized near the supratentorial midline structures in proximity to the foramen of Monro and septum pellucidum, appeared in magnetic resonance imaging as well-delimited cystic lesions with cerebrospinal fluid-like signal on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, some of them with typical fluid-attenuated inversion recovery ring sign. Histologically, they shared features with classic cortical DNTs but did not display aspects of multinodularity. From a molecular point of view the cases investigated did not show KIAA1549-BRAF fusions or FGFR1 mutations, alterations otherwise observed in pilocytic astrocytomas, or MYB and MYBL1 alterations that have been identified in a large group of pediatric low-grade gliomas. Moreover, BRAF

V600E
mutations, which so far represent the most common molecular alteration found in cortical DNTs, were absent in this group of rare periventricular tumors.
Long-Term Comparison of Rib and Ear Cartilage Grafts in Autologous and Allogenic Fascia Lata: An Experimental Study in a White Rabbit Model
Authors: Jurk Viktor , Kampmann Hendrike , Iblher Niklas , Bannasch Holger , Gubisch Wolfgang
Published: January 2016

Background:

Diced cartilage in fascia has become the graft material of choice for dorsal grafts in rhinoplasty. Allogenic fascia lata has not yet been investigated as an isolated fascial graft or as a combined graft with ear and rib cartilage, especially in comparison with autologous fascia and over a long implantation period.

Methods:

Ten different grafts were built from either autologous or allogenic fascia lata alone or as diced cartilage in fascia grafts with diced costal or ear cartilage and implanted into the dorsal skin of 15 rabbits. After 3 or 9 months, the grafts were explanted and analyzed histologically. Chondrocytes and cartilage matrix characteristics, including calcification, ossification, formation of bone marrow, fibrosis ingrowth and fibrotic transformation, the presence of immune reactions, vascular ingrowth, regenerative capacity, and capsule formation, were examined in a semiquantitative manner.

Results:

All grafts were vital and without inflammatory response. The cartilage showed regular nuclei, a normal matrix, and regenerative capacity. A higher grade of calcification and ossification was observed in the fascia/cartilage grafts than in isolated cartilage grafts, and was more pronounced for costal cartilage. Both types of fascia were shown to be equally stable and without degradation. There were no significant differences in the diced cartilage in fascia grafts built with autologous compared to allogenic fascia.

Conclusions:

This study shows the equivalency of diced cartilage in fascia grafts and isolated fascial grafts using allogenic fascia lata compared to autologous fascia. The type of cartilage used accounts for different long-term characteristics of diced cartilage in fascia grafts.
SNP Variation in MicroRNA Biogenesis Pathway Genes as a New Innovation Strategy for Alzheimer Disease Diagnostics
Authors: Görücü Yilmaz Şenay , Erdal Mehmet E. , Avci Özge Aynur , Sungur Mehmet A.
Published: January 2016

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a common complex neurodegenerative disorder accounting for nearly 50% to 70% of dementias worldwide. Yet the current diagnostic options for AD are limited. New diagnostic innovation strategies focusing on novel molecules and pathways are sorely needed. In this connection, microRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved small noncoding RNAs that regulate posttranscriptional gene expression and are vital for neuronal development and its functional sustainability. Conceivably, biological pathways responsible for the biogenesis of miRNAs represent a veritable set of upstream candidate genes that can be potentially associated with the AD pathophysiology. Notably, whereas functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA biogenesis pathway genes have been studied in other complex diseases, surprisingly, virtually no such study has been conducted on their relevance in AD. Moreover, novel diagnostics identified in easily accessible peripheral tissues such as the whole blood samples represent the initial entry or gateway points on the biomarker discovery critical path for AD. To the best of our knowledge, we report here the first association study of functional SNPs, as measured by real-time PCR in 10 “upstream” candidate genes critically situated on the miRNA biogenesis pathway, in a large sample of AD patients (N=172) and healthy controls (N=109) in a hitherto understudied world population from the Mersin region of the Eastern Mediterranean. We observed a significant association between 2 candidate genes and AD, TARBP2 rs784567 genotype and AD (χ2=6.292, P=0.043), and a trend for RNASEN rs10719 genotype (χ2=4.528, P=0.104) and allele (P=0.035). Functional SNP variations in the other 8 candidate genes (DGCR8, XPO5, RAN, DICER1, AGO1, AGO2, GEMIN3, and GEMIN4) did not associate with AD in our sample. Given the putative biological importance of miRNA biogenesis pathways, these emerging data can provide a new foundation to stimulate future debate and genetic investigations of AD, focusing on new molecular mechanisms such as miRNA biogenesis, particularly in accessible peripheral tissues for novel molecular diagnostics for dementia.
A framework for work-based learning: basic pillars and the interactions between them
Authors: Ferrández-Berrueco Reina , Kekale Tauno , Devins David
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– European policy is placing an increasing emphasis on involving employers and labour market institutions in the design and delivery of higher education (HE) programmes that match curricula to current and future needs of the economy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the curriculum development process for work-based learning (WBL) programmes and to connect it to the basic pillars, organizational and pedagogical strategies and key stages that enable higher education institutions (HEIs) to foster students’ learning, employability and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case studies of 14 European WBL programmes in HE are reported using interviews and document analysis. These case studies are used to develop a final framework and examples of practice.

Findings

– A framework was designed to develop WBL programmes that include three basic pillars and the interactions between them to enhance learning quality (doctrine), provide authentic experiences (authenticity) and respect the ways of developing and delivering WBL (culture).

Research limitations/implications

– While selecting the cases on this “best practices” basis, some important pitfalls were not discussed. Thus, rather than offering a definitive theory, the authors provide a framework of issues that should at least be taken into account in the different stages of planning, delivery and reflection.

Practical implications

– The framework is simultaneously a kind of “checklist” for WBL curriculum developers.

Originality/value

– The research presents 14 case studies from programmes recognized in six European countries and develops an original WBL programme planning, delivery and evaluation framework that can also be used as a checklist for HEIs offering WBL programmes.