bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of mass map truncation on strong lensing simulations
Authors: Van de Vyvere Lyne , Sluse Dominique , Mukherjee Sampath , Xu Dandan , Birrer Simon
Published: October 2020

Strong gravitational lensing is a powerful tool to measure cosmological parameters and to study galaxy evolution mechanisms. However, quantitative strong lensing studies often require mock observations. To capture the full complexity of galaxies, the lensing galaxy is often drawn from high resolution, dark matter only or hydro-dynamical simulations. These have their own limitations, but the way we use them to emulate mock lensed systems may also introduce significant artefacts. In this work we identify and explore the specific impact of mass truncation on simulations of strong lenses by applying different truncation schemes to a fiducial density profile with conformal isodensity contours. Our main finding is that improper mass truncation can introduce undesired artificial shear. The amplitude of the spurious shear depends on the shape and size of the truncation area as well as on the slope and ellipticity of the lens density profile. Due to this effect, the value of H0 or the shear amplitude inferred by modelling those systems may be biased by several percents. However, we show that the effect becomes negligible provided that the lens projected map extends over at least 50 times the Einstein radius.
Solar east-west flow correlations that persist for months at low latitudes are dominated by active region inflows
Authors: Hanson Chris S. , Duvall Thomas L. , Birch Aaron C. , Gizon Laurent , Sreenivasan Katepalli R.
Published: October 2020

Context. Giant-cell convection is believed to be an important component of solar dynamics. For example, it is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining the Sun’s differential rotation.

Aims. We reexamine early reports of giant convective cells detected using a correlation analysis of Dopplergrams. We extend this analysis using 19 years of space- and ground-based observations of near-surface horizontal flows.

Methods. Flow maps are derived through the local correlation tracking of granules and helioseismic ring-diagram analysis. We compute temporal auto-correlation functions of the east-west flows at fixed latitude.

Results. Correlations in the east-west velocity can be clearly seen up to five rotation periods. The signal consists of features with longitudinal wavenumbers up to m = 9 at low latitudes. Comparison with magnetic images indicates that these flow features are associated with magnetic activity. The signal is not seen above the noise level during solar minimum.

Conclusions. Our results show that the long-term correlations in east-west flows at low latitudes are predominantly due to inflows into active regions and not to giant convective cells.
TITAN-Studie – Evaluation von Apalutamid bei Patienten mit metastasiertem hormonsensitivem Prostatakarzinom
Authors: Merseburger Axel S. , Suttmann Henrik
Published: October 2020

Die TITAN-Studie zum Vergleich von Apalutamid plus ADT mit Placebo plus ADT in einer breiten, sog. „all-comers“ Patientenpopulation mit metastasiertem hormonsensitivem Prostatakarzinom (mHSPC) erreichte bereits bei der ersten geplanten Interimsanalyse beide koprimären Endpunkte rPFS und OS 1. Nach einer medianen Nachbeobachtungszeit von 22,7 Monaten war das radiographische Progressionsrisiko um 52 % statistisch signifikant reduziert (p < 0,001) 1. Dabei war der rPFS-Vorteil in allen Subgruppen und unabhängig von der Tumorlast oder einer Docetaxel-Vorbehandlung zu beobachten 1. Die OS-Interimsanalyse zeigte statistisch signifikant ein um 33 % verringertes Mortalitätsrisiko zugunsten von Apalutamid plus ADT (p = 0,0053) 1. Signifikant verbessert waren auch der sekundäre Endpunkt Zeit bis zur zytotoxischen Chemotherapie (p < 0,0001) sowie die explorativen Endpunkte Zeit bis zur PSA-Progression und PFS2, definiert als Zeit zwischen Randomisierung und der zweiten Progression bzw. Tod unter der ersten Folgetherapie 1
2. Apalutamid wurde von den Patienten insgesamt gut vertragen. Neben einem erhöhten Auftreten von Apalutamid-typischen Hautausschlägen und Hypothyreose wurde in TITAN im Vergleich zu Placebo keine relevante Zunahme anderer Nebenwirkungen von speziellem Interesse wie Fatigue, Stürze und Frakturen beobachtet, und auch die Lebensqualität blieb erhalten 1. Damit kann Apalutamid plus ADT bei einer All-comers-Population mit mHSPC eine effektive und gut verträgliche neue Therapieoption darstellen.
Übersicht und aktuelle Empfehlung zur Therapie des Rhinophyms
Authors: Huseynov Jamal , Mozet Christian
Published: October 2020

Als Rhinophym wird eine benigne Hautveränderung der äußeren Nase bezeichnet, die durch eine Hypertrophie der Talgdrüsen gekennzeichnet ist. Betroffen sind meistens männliche Kaukasier zwischen der 5. und 7. Lebensdekade. Die Ätiologie der Erkrankung ist bisher nicht vollständig geklärt, sie wird jedoch als Spätstadium der Acne rosacea betrachtet. Ein äthyltoxischer Zusammenhang, wie bisher vermutet wurde, ist bis dato nicht belegt worden. Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über mögliche operative und konservative Therapieansätze. Die chirurgische Therapie stellt dabei den Goldstandard dar. Dabei erweist sich der Einsatz der Elektroschlinge zur subtilen Resektion und die Verwendung der monopolaren Kugel zur Feinmodulation als besonders vorteilhaft. Aufgrund einer möglichen Koinzidenz des Basalzell- oder Plattenepithelkarzinoms im Rhinophymgewebe, erscheint eine histopathologische Aufarbeitung des abgetragenen Gewebes sinnvoll.
Trabecular Bone is Increased in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Mujica Lady Katerine Serrano , Glanzner Werner Giehl , Prante Amanda Luiza , Rissi Vitor Braga , Correa Gabrielle Rebeca Everling , Premaor Melissa Orlandin , Antoniazzi Alfredo Quites , Gonçalves Paulo Bayard Dias , Comim Fabio Vasconcellos
Published: October 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in an intricate disorder characterized by reproductive and metabolic abnormalities that may affect bone quality and strength along with the lifespan. The present study analysed the impact of postnatal androgenization (of a single dose of testosterone propionate 1.25 mg subcutaneously at day 5 of life) on bone development and markers of bone metabolism in adult female Wistar rats. Compared with healthy controls, the results of measurements of micro-computed tomography (microCT) of the distal femur of androgenized rats indicated an increased cortical bone volume voxel bone volume to total volume (VOX BV/TV) and higher trabecular number (Tb.n) with reduced trabecular separation (Tb.sp). A large magnitude effect size was observed in the levels of circulating bone formation Procollagen I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) at day 60 of life; reabsorption cross-linked C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) markers were similar between the androgenized and control rats at days 60 and 110 of life. The analysis of gene expression in bone indicated elements for an increased bone mass such as the reduction of the Dickkopf-1 factor (Dkk1) a negative regulator of osteoblast differentiation (bone formation) and the reduction of Interleukin 1-b (Il1b), an activator of osteoclast differentiation (bone reabsorption). Results from this study highlight the possible role of the developmental programming on bone microarchitecture with reference to young women with PCOS.
BF3·OEt2-Catalyzed Rearrangement of Epoxy-Himachalenes: Access to New Biosourced N-Acetamide-Based Himachalenes
Authors: Ait El Had Mustapha , Oukhrib Abdelouahd , Zaki Mohamed , Taourirte Moha , Benharref Ahmed , Urrutigoïty Martine
Published: October 2020

Biosourced N-acetamide-based himachalenes were synthesized by Lewis acid catalyzed rearrangement of epoxy-himachalene derived from α-cis- and β-himachalenes, the main component of essential oil of Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). Several new chiral polycyclic N-acetamide compounds were obtained with different selectivities depending on the acid used. Among the Lewis acids used, BF3·OEt2 under catalytic and mild conditions is efficient and selective affording the formation of chiral N-acetamides in good yields. Otherwise, using acetonitrile as solvent and reagent was proved as an efficient tool giving access to new N-acetamide-based himachalenes. A mechanism to explain the formation of the different compounds observed in the reaction mixture has also been proposed.
Palladium-Catalyzed C6-Selective C–H Acylation of 2-Pyridones
Authors: Yu Chuanming , Chen Zhiwei , Zhang Lei , Zhao Danxia , Hu Gangao
Published: October 2020

A versatile palladium-catalyzed C6-selective C–H acylation of 2-pyridones with commercially available aldehydes using TBHP as an oxidant has been developed. This protocol tolerated diverse functional groups and has excellent level of site selectivity. Moreover, it does not require silver salts as additives.
Interpeduncular Heterotopia and Brain Stem Cleft: An Isolated Finding Not Associated with Joubert Syndrome
Authors: Sahap Seda Kaynak , Ucan Berna , Keskin Derya Bako , Goktas Ozben Akinci , Fitoz Suat
Published: October 2020

Interpeduncular heterotopia is a new neuroimaging finding reported in association with Joubert syndrome (JS) in a few cases in the literature. Nodular interpeduncular tissue was termed as interpeduncular heterotopia and anterior mesencephalic cap dysplasia in the literature in relation to gray and white matter content. We described the imaging findings and diffusion tensor imaging data of a case with interpeduncular heterotopia and brain stem cleft. This is the first case, in which interpeduncular heterotopia was an isolated finding not associated with JS.
Gait and Knee Flexion In Vivo Kinematics of Asymmetric Tibial Polyethylene Geometry Cruciate Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Klemt Christian , Drago John , Oganesyan Ruben , Smith Evan J. , Yeo Ingwon , Kwon Young-Min
Published: October 2020

The preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament in cruciate retaining (CR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs has the potential to restore healthy knee biomechanics; however, concerns related to kinematic asymmetries during functional activities still exist in unilateral TKA patients. As there is a limited data available regarding the ability of the contemporary CR TKA design with concave medial and convex lateral tibial polyethylene bearing components to restore healthy knee biomechanics, this study aimed to investigate in vivo three-dimensional knee kinematics in CR TKA patients during strenuous knee flexion activities and gait. Using a combined computer tomography and dual fluoroscopic imaging system approach, in vivo kinematics of 15 unilateral CR TKA patients (comparison of replaced and contralateral nonreplaced knee) were evaluated during sit-to-stand, step-ups, single-leg deep lunge, and level walking. The patient cohort was followed-up at an average of 24.5 months ( ± 12.6, range 13–42) from surgical procedure. Significantly smaller internal knee rotation angles were observed for the contemporary CR TKA design during step-ups (2.6 ± 5.8 vs. 6.3 ± 6.6 degrees, p < 0.05) and gait (0.6 ± 4.6 vs. 6.3 ± 6.8 degrees, p < 0.05). Significantly larger proximal and anterior femoral translations were measured during sit-to-stand (34.7 ± 4.5 vs. 29.9 ± 3.1 mm, p < 0.05; –2.5 ± 2.9 vs. –8.1 ± 4.4 mm, p < 0.05) and step-ups (34.1 ± 4.5 vs. 30.8 ± 2.9 mm, p < 0.05; 2.2 ± 3.2 vs. –3.5 ± 4.5 mm, p < 0.05). Significantly smaller ranges of varus/valgus and internal/external rotation range of motion were observed for CR TKA, when compared with the nonoperated nee, during strenuous activities and gait. The preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament in the contemporary asymmetric bearing geometry CR TKA design with concave medial and convex lateral tibial polyethylene bearing components has the potential to restore healthy knee biomechanics; however, the study findings demonstrate that native knee kinematics were not fully restored in patients with unilateral asymmetric tibial polyethylene bearing geometry CR TKA during functional activities.
Gross Motor Function in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome
Authors: Takahasi Eliana Harumi Morioka , Alves Maria Teresa Seabra Soares de Britto , Ribeiro Marizélia Rodrigues Costa , Souza Valéria Ferreira Pereira , Simões Vanda Maria Ferreira , Borges Marcella Costa Ribeiro , Amaral Gláucio Andrade , Gomes Lillian Nunes , Khouri Ricardo , da Silva Sousa Patricia , Silva Antônio Augusto Moura da
Published: October 2020

Background Little information on gross motor function of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) children is available.

Objectives To evaluate gross motor function in CZS children aged up to 3 years, and its associated factors and changes in a minimum interval of 6 months.

Methods One hundred children with CZS and cerebral palsy (36 with confirmed and 64 with presumed CZS) were evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88/GMFM-66). Forty-six were reevaluated. Wilcoxon tests, Wilcoxon tests for paired samples, percentile scores, and score changes were performed.

Results Clinical and socioeconomic characteristics (except maternal age), GMFM scores and GMFCS classification of confirmed and probable cases, which were analyzed together, were similar. The mean age was 25.6 months (±5.5); the median GMFM-88 score was 8.0 (5.4–10.8); and the median GMFM-66 score was 20.5 (14.8–23.1); 89% were classified as GMFCS level V. Low economic class, microcephaly at birth, epilepsy, and brain parenchymal volume loss were associated with low GMFM-66 scores. The median GMFM-66 percentile score was 40 (20–55). On the second assessment, the GMFM-66 scores in two GMFCS level I children and one GMFCS level IV child improved significantly. In one GMFCS level III child, one GMFCS level IV child, and the group of GMFCS level V children, no significant changes were observed.

Conclusions Almost all CZS children had severe cerebral palsy; in the third year of life, most presented no improvement in gross motor function and were likely approaching their maximal gross motor function potential.
Understanding the evolution of defects in high-power laser components
Authors: Lim Alane
Published: October 2020

Researchers have probed the evolution of defects in potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals in real-time using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy.
Robust dynamics of antiferromagnetic skyrmion driven by spin-polarized current in small thin disks
Authors: Silva R. L. , Silva R. C. , Pereira A. R. , Moura-Melo W. A.
Published: October 2020

We investigate skyrmion configurations and dynamics in antiferromagnetic thin disks. It is shown that the skyrmion acquires oscillatory dynamics with well-defined amplitude and frequency, which may be controlled on demand by the spin-polarized current. Such a dynamics is also robust in the sense that an interface between two half-disks cannot change the dynamics appreciably whenever the exchange costs of these half-disks are not very different. Indeed, the skyrmion keeps its oscillatory motion despite crossing this interface but changes the shape of its core region in order to preserve its total energy. However, if exchange costs of the half-disks are quite distinct, the skyrmion is trapped in that half with less cost and cannot trespass the interface barrier.
Interdependence of photon upconversion performance and antisolvent processing in thin-film halide perovskite-sensitized triplet–triplet annihilators
Authors: Prashanthan Karunanantharajah , Naydenov Boris , Lips Klaus , Unger Eva , MacQueen Rowan W.
Published: October 2020

We prepared triplet–triplet annihilation photon upconverters combining thin-film methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI) perovskite with a rubrene annihilator in a bilayer structure. Excitation of the perovskite film leads to delayed, upconverted photoluminescence emitted from the annihilator layer, with triplet excitation of the rubrene being driven by carriers excited in the perovskite layer. To better understand the connections between the semiconductor properties of the perovskite film and the upconversion efficiency, we deliberately varied the perovskite film properties by modifying two spin-coating conditions, namely, the choice of antisolvent and the antisolvent dripping time, and then studied the resulting photon upconversion performance with a standard annihilator layer. A stronger upconversion effect was exhibited when the perovskite films displayed brighter and more uniform photoluminescence. Both properties were sensitive to the antisolvent dripping time and were maximized for a dripping time of 20 s (measured relative to the end of the spin-coating program). Surprisingly, the choice of antisolvent had a significant effect on the upconversion performance, with anisole-treated films yielding on average a tenfold increase in upconversion intensity compared to the chlorobenzene-treated equivalent. This performance difference was correlated with the carrier lifetime in the perovskite film, which was 52 ns and 306 ns in the brightest chlorobenzene and anisole-treated films, respectively. Since the bulk properties of the anisole- and chlorobenzene-treated films were virtually identical, we concluded that differences in the defect density at the MAPI/rubrene interface, linked to the choice of antisolvent, must be responsible for the differing upconversion performance.
Effect of spherical indenter radius and loading rate on the kinetic nanoindentation creep behavior of La-based metallic glasses
Authors: Sun K. , Zhang N. Z. , Zhang Y. , Wang Q. , Zhang S. T. , Wang G.
Published: October 2020

Although the effect of the deformation field size on the mechanical strength of metallic glasses (MGs) has been investigated thoroughly, a few studies have investigated the effect of the deformation field size on the kinetic creep deformation behavior for these materials. This issue is addressed in the current work by investigating the nanoindentation creep kinetics of La-based MGs under the application of spherical indenters with two different tip radii and three different loading rates. The experimental data are fit to a viscoelastic model to extract the activation volume and relaxation time characteristics of the kinetic nanoindentation creep deformation of the samples. The results demonstrate that the nanoindentation creep kinetics are not only strongly dependent on the loading rate, but also vary significantly with the indenter tip radius. The deformation dynamics is interpreted by the stretched exponent β, indicating its relatively small value at a large loading rate along with a large indenter tip radius. Furthermore, the observed effect of the deformation field size can be attributed to an interplay between the deformation field under the spherical indenter and flow defects associated with the excess free volume, shear transition zone, or shear band embryo with an evolution that is essentially dependent on the loading rate. The current findings contribute to a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of shear softening during creep deformation in MGs.
Molecular dynamics simulations of liquid–liquid interfaces in an electric field: The water–1,2-dichloroethane interface
Authors: Raiteri Paolo , Kraus Peter , Gale Julian D.
Published: October 2020

The polarized interface between two immiscible liquids plays a central role in many technological processes. In particular, for electroanalytical and ion extraction applications, an external electric field is typically used to selectively induce the transfer of ionic species across the interfaces. Given that it is experimentally challenging to obtain an atomistic insight into the ion transfer process and the structure of liquid–liquid interfaces, atomistic simulations have often been used to fill this knowledge gap. However, due to the long-range nature of the electrostatic interactions and the use of 3D periodic boundary conditions, the use of external electric fields in molecular dynamics simulations requires special care. Here, we show how the simulation setup affects the dielectric response of the materials and demonstrate how by a careful design of the system it is possible to obtain the correct electric field on both sides of a liquid–liquid interface when using standard 3D Ewald summation methods. In order to prove the robustness of our approach, we ran extensive molecular dynamics simulations with a rigid-ion and polarizable force field of the water/1,2-dichloroethane interface in the presence of weak external electric fields.
Urbach–Martienssen tail as the origin of the two-peak structure in the photoluminescence spectra for the near-band-edge emission of a freestanding GaN crystal observed by omnidirectional photoluminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Kojima K. , Chichibu S. F.
Published: October 2020

Omnidirectional photoluminescence (ODPL) and standard photoluminescence (SPL) spectroscopy measurements were carried out on a freestanding GaN crystal at various temperatures (T) between 12 K and 300 K. The intensity ratio (ρ) of the ODPL to SPL spectra for the near-band edge (NBE) emission of the crystal showed a linearly decreasing slope with respect to photon energy (E) below the fundamental absorption edge energy (Eabs), and the slope became steeper at lower T. The linear extrapolations of the slopes at various T converged at a common point (E, ρ) = (3.539 eV, −6.306). This fact implies that the slope obtained for ρ corresponds to the Urbach–Martienssen (U–M) tail of the optical absorption spectra. Numerical simulations under the assumption, where a part of photoluminescence traveled inside the crystal and the scattering occurred at a backside of the crystal, substantially reproduced the ODPL spectra. Accordingly, the origin of the two-peak structure in the ODPL spectra around the NBE emission of the GaN crystal is attributed to the existence of the U–M tail. The Eabs value gives the photon energy at which the absorption coefficient becomes approximately 16.7 cm−1, which corresponds to an inverse of a doubled value of the crystal thickness (0.03 cm).
Time-dependent resistance of quasi-two-dimensional electron gas on KTaO3
Authors: Huang Gensheng , Zhou Pengfei , Yin Lingyu , Zhou Ze , Gong Shuainan , Zhao Run , Liu Guozhen , Zhang Jinlei , Li Yang , Jiang Yucheng , Gao Ju
Published: October 2020

For most conductive materials, resistance remains constant over time in the absence of external physical stimulation. Here, we report the time-dependent resistance of a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas (Q2DEG) on a KTaO3 substrate. Ar+-ion bombardment is used to achieve a Q2DEG of high density. Such a Q2DEG shows a linear increase in resistance with time without further physical stimulus. Both the resistance and its increase rate can be determined by the beam voltage of Ar+ bombardment. Furthermore, we find that light illumination strongly influences the increase rate of resistance, with the effect depending primarily on the wavelength of incident light. The Hall effect reveals that this phenomenon can be attributed to the spontaneous decrease in carrier density over time due to the migration of oxygen vacancies. Our work offers a pathway toward a self-excited resistance timer in a Q2DEG system.
An algorithm to calculate the cationic composition of soil solutions. 2. Parameterisation and test
Authors: Reid Jeff B. , Trolove Stephen N. , Tan Yong
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a parameterisation and test of an algorithm to calculate distributions of the major nutrient cations between the solution and exchangeable phases of soil when cation exchange capacity (c) may vary. Two contrasting soils were considered: a volcanic subsoil where c is dominated by variable-charge surfaces, and an alluvial silt loam topsoil with stable c. Experimental treatments consisted of applying either water or solutions of CaCl2, KCl, MgCl2, or NaCl. Solution concentrations of Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and Na+ varied by up to two orders of magnitude, and were simulated well, particularly when using log10-transformed data. The ratios of the solution concentrations of K+, Mg2+, and Na+ to Ca2+ also were generally simulated well. However, the algorithm’s description of soil acidity needs further checking. For the variable-charge soil, cation concentrations were strongly influenced by fitted parameters associated with anion exchange. For the alluvial soil, fitted parameters had little influence, and the cation calculations were dominated by information gathered from the initial (equilibrium) distributions between phases. The algorithm has strong potential for forecasting changes in solution concentrations of the major nutrient cations, using relatively small amounts of fitting data.
Domain modulation in LiNbO3 films using litho piezoresponse force microscopy
Authors: Qiao Xiaojun , Geng Wenping , Zheng Dongwan , Ren Jing , Sun Yao , Yang Yun , Bi Kaixi , Chou Xiujian
Published: October 2020

Domain engineering plays a pivotal role in the development of ferroelectric non-volatile memory devices. In this work, we mainly focus on the domain kinetic in ion-sliced single crystal LiNbO3 thin films under tip-induced electric fields using piezoresponse force microscope (PFM). Polarization reversal takes place when the electric fields are above threshold value (coercive voltage V
c) of films. Besides, the dependence of domain dynamic on pulse duration and amplitude were investigated in detail, and specific local domain reversal (5 μm) was completed by the optimized poling condition. All the results reveal that tip-induced polarization reversal could be an effective way to domain engineering, which gives much more promising prospects regarding to the high density non-volatile ferroelectric memory devices.
Oscillatory orbits in the restricted planar four body problem
Authors: Seara Tere M , Zhang Jianlu
Published: October 2020

The restricted planar four body problem describes the motion of a massless body under the Newtonian gravitational force of other three bodies (the primaries), and the motion of the primaries gives us general solutions of the three body problem. A trajectory is called oscillatory if it goes arbitrarily faraway but returns infinitely many times to the same bounded region. We prove the existence of such type of trajectories provided the primaries evolve in suitable periodic orbits.
Failure criteria for real-time assessment of ductile cast irons subjected to various loading conditions
Authors: D’Angela Danilo , Ercolino Marianna , Bellini Costanzo , Di Cocco Vittorio , Iacoviello Francesco
Published: October 2020

The paper presents an innovative approach for the damage assessment of ductile cast irons (DCIs) by using a probabilistic-based methodology. The study is based on the experimental results of acoustic emissions (AEs) tests performed on pearlitic DCIs subjected to both monotonic and fatigue tensile loading. The information entropy of the AEs data is confirmed to be well correlated to both the damage progress and the occurrence of the incipient failure. Robust failure criteria are finally provided for real-time assessment in structural health monitoring applications.
57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry: A powerful technique to analyze the magnetic and phase characteristics in RE–Fe–B permanent magnets*
Authors: Zhao Lizhong , Zhang Xuefeng , Yan Mi , Liu Zhongwu , Greneche Jean-Marc
Published: October 2020

This review summarizes the recent advances on the application of 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry to study the magnetic and phase characteristics of Nd–Fe–B-based permanent magnets. First of all, the hyperfine structures of the Ce2Fe14B, (Ce, Nd)2Fe14B and MM2Fe14B phases are well-defined by using the model based on the Wigner-Seitz analysis of the crystal structure. The results show that the isomer shift δ and the quadrupole splitting ΔE
Q of those 2:14:1 phases show minor changes with the Nd content, while the hyperfine field B
hf increases monotonically with increasing Nd content and its value is influenced by the element segregation and phase separation in the 2:14:1 phase. Then, the hyperfine structures of the low fraction secondary phases are determined by the 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry due to its high sensitivity. On this basis, the content, magnetic behavior, and magnetization of the REFe2 phase, the amorphous grain boundary (GB) phase, and the amorphous worm-like phase, as well as their effects on the magnetic properties, are systematically studied.
Discontinuous event-trigger scheme for global stabilization of state-dependent switching neural networks with communication delay*
Authors: Fan Yingjie , Wang Zhen , Xia Jianwei , Shen Hao
Published: October 2020

This paper is concerned with the global stabilization of state-dependent switching neural networks (SDSNNs) via discontinuous event-triggered control with network-induced communication delay. Aiming at decreasing triggering times, a discontinuous event-trigger scheme is utilized to determine whether the sampling information is required to be sent out or not. Meanwhile, under the effect of communication delay, the trigger condition and SDSNNs are transformed into two tractable models by designing a fictitious delay function. Then, using the Lyapunov–Krasovskii stability theory, some inequality estimation techniques, and extended reciprocally convex combination method, two sufficient criteria are established for ensuring the global stabilization of the resulting closed-loop SDSNNs, respectively. A unified framework is derived that has the ability to handle the simultaneous existence of the communication delay, the properties of discontinuous event-trigger scheme, as well as feedback controller design. Additionally, the developed results demonstrate a quantitative relationship among the event trigger parameter, communication delay, and triggering times. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the usefulness of the developed stabilization scheme.
Single-Cell mRNA Sequencing of Murine and Human Alopecia Areata Identifies Immune Cell Profiles Predictive of Human Disease State
Authors: Borcherding Nicholas , Crotts Sydney , Ortolan Luana , Bormann Nicholas , Jabbari Ali
Published: October 2020

Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most common autoimmune conditions, presenting initially with loss of hair without overt skin changes. The unremarkable appearance of the skin surface contrasts with the complex immune activity occurring at the hair follicle. AA pathogenesis is due to the loss of immune privilege of the hair follicle leading to autoimmune attack. Although the literature has focused on CD8+ T cells, vital roles for CD4+ T cells and antigen-presenting cells have been suggested. Here, we use single-cell mRNA sequencing to reveal distinct expression profiles of immune cells in AA. We found clonal expansions of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, with shared clonotypes across varied transcriptional states. Demonstrating distinct gene and clonotypic variations, AA murine data were used to generate highly predictive models of human AA disease. In order to corroborate the results, single-cell sequencing of T cells in human AA recapitulated the clonotypic findings and the gene expression of the predictive models. Taken together, this work demonstrates the unique transcriptomic environment of AA skin, not just limited to CD8+ T cells. This work also represents the first single-cell sequencing for the autoimmune condition AA.
Establishing a Nucleated Count Reflex Trigger for Performing Cell Differential on Cerebrospinal Fluid in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Abro Brooj , Jackups Ronald
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assists in the diagnosis of several disease processes affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Nucleated cell (NC) count and cell differential are two important components of laboratory testing performed to analyze CSF samples. These tests can help diagnose conditions such as infection, inflammation, and malignancy involving the CNS; however, the cell differential, performed manually on a cytospin, is labor-intensive and may divert laboratory resources. Currently, the laboratory at our tertiary care pediatric hospital performs both NC count and cell differential on all specimens submitted for CSF cell count analysis. We hypothesized that when the NC count is low (<10/mcl), performing manual cell differential does not provide clinically meaningful information and leads to unnecessary testing, increasing the turnaround time and decreasing precision. In this study, we investigated the utility of performing a manual differential on CSF when the NC count is ≤10/mcl and the need to establish reflex criteria for performing a cell differential.

Methods

Data were extracted from our electronic medical record database. We searched for all CSF samples that were submitted to our pediatric hospital’s laboratory for cell count analysis from September 2019 to January 2020. NC count, red blood cell (RBC) count, and number of cells available for differential (€œcells diffed) on cytospin, to a maximum of 100 cells per specimen, were obtained for each sample.

Results

A total of 577 CSF samples from 332 patients were submitted and analyzed for cell counts, of which 471 (82%) had NC count ≤10/mcl. There was a significant moderate positive correlation between NC count and cells diffed (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.45, P-value <0.001). Of these 471 samples, 24 (5%) showed evidence of peripheral blood contamination (>500/mcl RBCs in samples with NC = 0/mcl, >500 x (NC count)/mcl RBCs in samples with NC > 0/mcl). A total of 4 cases from two patients with NC ≤10/mcl (0.8%) showed blasts on manual differential. Both patients had B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and were being evaluated for CNS involvement with concurrent cytology. One patient was diagnosed as negative for CNS involvement by cytology. The sample for manual differential was contaminated by peripheral blood, hence the presence of blasts did not represent CNS disease. The second patient had the remaining 3 positive samples and was diagnosed with CNS involvement by cytology on multiple follow-ups.

Conclusion

Performing CSF manual differential when NC < 10/mcl does not provide additional clinically actionable information and is associated with a lower cell yield on the cytospin. Establishing a NC count cutoff for performing manual differential will prevent unnecessary testing, decrease turnaround time, and increase precision. Exceptions may be necessary for oncology patients at high risk for CNS involvement.
A Unique Presentation of Cryptococcus neoformans and Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJP) Co-Infection in a Newly Diagnosed HIV Patient
Authors: Zia Shereen , Tariq Zain , Schultz Daniel , Brar Indira , Tibbetts Robert
Published: October 2020

One week prior to demise, a 30 years old smoker male with a past medical history significant for intermittent asthma presented to emergency with shortness of breath, wheezing, productive cough, and generalized fatigue for 1 week. He was afebrile, normotensive, tachycardic and had O2 saturation of 96% on room air. Physical examination showed cachexia, audible wheezes and oropharyngeal erythema. Labs showed WBC 3600/uL with lymphocyte count of 700/uL and mild thrombocytopenia. Chest X ray was clear. Serology was reactive for HIV, pending viral load. Working diagnosis was asthma exacerbation in the setting of a possible viral infection for which he was discharged home to complete a 5-day course of high dose prednisone, with follow up with infectious diseases as an outpatient. Subsequent, HIV viral load after discharge was 194,643 copies/mL.

One week later, he presented to the ED with worsening respiratory symptoms, new onset chest pain and vomiting. He was hypotensive, tachycardic, tachypneic, and afebrile. He had leukocytosis of 12,700/uL with neutrophilia, lactate of 6.6, BNP 841. Influenza A, B and RSV, and urine histoplasma antigen were negative. EKG showed abnormal ST segment elevation with concerns for STEMI. Chest CT revealed multifocal, bilateral ground glass and nodular opacities with cystic cavities. Mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy was also noted. Pulmonary embolism and pneumothorax were ruled out. Blood gases reflected acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Vancomycin and Piperacillin/tazobactam were started. A bed side ultrasound showed significantly dilated right ventricle with severely reduced function and hence concerns for cardiogenic component of shock. He was intubated and shortly after developed asystole and expired after prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation within twelve hours of admission.

At autopsy, gross exam showed bilateral pulmonary congestion, bilateral hilar adenopathy and matted lymph nodes in the mediastinum. Microscopy revealed cryptococcus (mucicarmine positive encapsulated yeast forms) involving intraalveolar and alveolar septal parts of all lobes of the lungs, effacing lymph nodes, and involving microscopic foci in bilateral myocardial ventricles. Modified GMS-positive cup shaped Pneumocystis organisms involved the alveolar spaces of all lung lobes. The lung parenchyma showed minimal inflammatory response.

Our case is of an HIV patient with respiratory symptoms found to have pulmonary co-infection with PJP and Cryptococcus neoformans, confirmed on pathology report. This is uncommon in literature. Additionally, this case is unique in reporting the presentation of Cryptococcus neoformans as involving the mediastinal lymph nodes and myocardium.
Primary Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Breast: A Case Report
Authors: Aldrees R , Wei S , Prieto-Granada C , Patel C
Published: October 2020

Casestudy: Clear cell sarcoma (CCS), also known as malignant melanoma of soft parts, is a primary soft tissue neoplasm exhibiting evidence of melanocytic differentiation. It is an uncommon aggressive tumor that arises in tendons and aponeuroses of the distal extremities. Here, we report the first case of primary CCS of the breast.

The patient was a 43-year-old female who presented with a left breast mass and underwent surgical resection at an outside hospital. No history of melanoma or any other malignancies was reported. Grossly, it was described as a 2 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm, well-demarcated, white nodular mass. Microscopic examination showed a malignant neoplasm composed of short spindle cells with ill-defined, eosinophilic cytoplasm and ovoid nuclei with finely stippled chromatin and exhibiting moderate pleomorphism. The lesional cells were arranged in short interlacing fascicles with abundant collagen, with brisk mitotic activity (>15/10 HPF). The differential diagnosis included spindle cell carcinoma, myoepithelial carcinoma and melanocytic neoplasm. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for S-100 protein, SOX10, Mart-1, HMB45 and MiTF, but negative for multiple cytokeratins (including high and low molecular weight keratins), p63, EMA, CEA, Caldesmon, smooth muscle myosin, calponin, desmin, ERG, and CD31, thus confirming melanocytic origin. EWSR1 gene rearrangement was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using break-apart probes. Overall, the histomorphology combined with the immunophenotype and cytogenetic characteristics, was most consistent with a CCS. To our knowledge, no primary CCS of the breast has been previously reported in the English language literature.
Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Premaxillary Soft Tissue: A Case Report
Authors: Tucker C M , Liu J , Gargano S M , Fundakowski C E
Published: October 2020

Casestudy: Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue (CCSST) is a rare translocation-associated sarcoma which uncommonly presents in the head and neck region. Because the tumor expresses markers of melanocytic differentiation, it can be difficult to distinguish from malignant melanoma and epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), necessitating clinical correlation and ancillary testing specifically fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for EWSR1 rearrangement. Here we report a case of CCSST involving the premaxillary soft tissue. A 61-year-old male without significant past medical history presented with a right premaxillary subcutaneous mass which was slowly enlarging over the course of three years. During surgical resection of the mass, the infraorbital nerve was noted to course into the tumor. Histologic sections revealed a 2.5 cm mass composed of a nodular proliferation of epithelioid tumor cells with pale eosinophilic to vacuolated cytoplasm, large vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli, areas of punctate necrosis, and a mitotic rate of 10 mitoses per 10 high power fields. Scattered multinucleated tumor giant cells were also present. No pigment was identified. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for SOX-10 and S-100 and negative for HMB45, MART1, MITF, inhibin, calretinin, p63 and smooth muscle actin. FISH was positive for EWSR1 rearrangement. Altogether, the morphologic, immunohistochemical and cytogenetic findings supported the diagnosis of CCSST. Because the surgical margins were negative for malignancy, the patient did not require additional surgery but will be receiving adjuvant radiation therapy. Although rare in the head and neck, CCSST should be considered in the differential diagnosis when dealing with an epithelioid soft tissue tumor that expresses any melanocytic markers, and a definitive distinction from malignant melanoma and epithelioid MPNST can be achieved by utilizing FISH for EWSR1 rearrangement.
Paraganglioma of the Urinary Bladder Metastatic to the Lung in a Patient with SDHB Gene Mutation: A Case Report
Authors: Onyenekwu C P , Iczkowski K A , Sheinin Y
Published: October 2020

Introduction/Objective

Paragangliomas are tumors originating from the neural crest. Most tumors are benign and arise from various locations in the body. Extra-adrenal paragangliomas arise as sporadic cases in most settings or as part of heredofamilial syndromes in about one-quarter of cases. Succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) gene mutations are associated with an aggressive clinical disease course of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma.

Methods

We present a 41-year-old male former smoker with a history of a growing right upper lung nodule on chest imaging. He had no cough or respiratory symptoms. Twenty-seven months prior the patient underwent a cystoprostatectomy due to paraganglioma of the bladder. Genetic testing identified a pathogenic mutation in SDHB gene, c.166_170delCCTCA (p.Pro56Tyrfs*5). He underwent a wedge resection of the lung nodule.

Results

Sectioning of the lung wedge revealed a well circumscribed, firm tan nodule. Microscopically there were nests of large neoplastic cells with round nuclei and eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. Tumor cells were positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin and negative for pan-cytokeratin. S100 highlighted sustentacular cells. The pulmonary neoplasm was morphologically similar to the prior tumor of the bladder. These features are consistent with a metastatic urothelial paraganglioma to the lung, in a background of a hereditary paraganglioma syndrome.

Conclusion

Extra-adrenal paraganglioma occurring in a setting of hereditary paraganglioma syndrome has a higher risk of metastasis. Lifelong surveillance even after prompt resection of primary tumor with negative margins is required to ensure early detection of metastasis and prevention of complications associated with it.
A Comparative Analysis of Immunohistochemical Profile of Primary and Metastatic Endometrial Endometrioid Carcinoma
Authors: Xu K , Ye Q , Han L , Zhong M
Published: October 2020

Introduction/Objective

Beta catenin plays an important role in cancer tumorigenesis and have been found to be associated with metastasis in a variety of tumors. Analyzing TCGA data, we found that 30% of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma cases have beta-catenin mutations. We hypothesize that beta-catenin mutation may be associated with metastasis of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma. ER and PR expression was also compared to determine any changes after metastasis.

Methods

Retrospective institutional review of all endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (192 cases) between 2011 to 2018 was performed, including 149 cases of FIGO grade I, 38 cases of FIGO grade II and 5 cases of FIGO grade III. 19 cases with paired primary and metastatic specimen were identified. Immunohistochemistry staining (IHC) was carried out for ER, PR and beta-catenin.

Results

Median patient age was 56 years. The most common metastatic site was vagina, accounting for 68% of metastasis (14/19), followed by bladder (3/19), lung (2/19) and rectum (1/19). The primary and metastatic carcinoma of all 19 cases exhibit very similar morphology. All of those cases were positive and concordant for ER and PR in primary and metastatic endometrioid carcinoma. On the other hand, nuclear beta-catenin staining caused by mutation was positive in 5 metastatic carcinoma but not in primary carcinoma.

Conclusion

IHC expression of ER and PR remains unchanged between primary and metastatic carcinoma, demonstrating the reliability of ER and PR to confirm the origin of metastatic carcinoma. 26% of the metastatic carcinoma (5/19) exhibit nuclear beta-catenin staining but not in primary carcinoma, suggesting the possible role of beta-catenin in metastasis of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma.
Ossifying Fibroma of the Mandible – Benign Tumor with Aggressive Presentation
Authors: Siatecka H , Gannon F H , Rosen D G
Published: October 2020

Introduction/Objective

Ossifying fibromas are rare benign fibro-osseous lesions of mesenchymal origin affecting the craniofacial bones. Less than 60 cases have been reported in the literature. These tumors are more commonly seen in women and are usually slow growing. Most lesions are incidental, small and treated with curettage or enucleation. Rarely, ossifying fibromas can show a rapidly growing aggressive course that require radical resection.

Methods

We present a case of a 63-year-old man who presented with an enlarging left mandible lesion that was first noticed two years prior. We discuss the clinical presentation, prognostic factors and management of this rare disease based on the current literature.

Results

The patient presented with a left mandible mass that had recently grown, caused significant pain and affected chewing. The computed tomography showed a heterogeneous sclerotic lesion with periosteal reaction of the left mandible, but no evident mass. Initial biopsy showed a bland spindle cell proliferation admixed with fragments of woven bone. Due to clinical presentation the patient underwent left hemimandibulectomy with left neck dissection. The gross examination revealed 3 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm tan-pink tumor located at the junction of the mandible body and ramus, abutting the outer bone surface. Microscopic examination showed various shaped spicules of woven bone lined by osteoblasts in a vascularized, cellular, fibroblastic and spindled cell stroma consistent with aggressive ossifying fibroma. The tumor extended into the anterior and posterior bone resection margins. All the examined lymph nodes were negative for malignancy. No adjuvant radiation or other treatment was administered. The patient is alive without evidence of disease after 7 months of follow up.

Conclusion

The ossifying fibroma is a rare benign fibro-osseous tumor that can rarely have an aggressive behavior. Clinical, imaging and histopathological correlation are crucial to establish the correct diagnosis. Aggressive ossifying fibromas may require radical resection to prevent recurrence.