bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Group‐based chaos genetic algorithm and non‐linear ensemble of neural networks for short‐term load forecasting
Authors: Chen Li‐Guo , Chiang Hsiao‐Dong , Dong Na , Liu Rong‐Peng
Published: April 2016

This study presents a non‐linear ensemble of partially connected neural networks for short‐term load forecasting. Partially connected neural networks are chosen as individual predictors due to their good generalisation capability. A group‐based chaos genetic algorithm is developed to generate diverse and effective neural networks. A novel pruning method is employed to develop partially connected neural networks. To further enhance prediction accuracy, an artificial neural network‐based non‐linear ensemble of partially connected neural network predictors is developed. The proposed non‐linear ensemble neural network is evaluated on a PJM market dataset and an ISO New England dataset with promising results of 1.76 and 1.29% error, respectively, demonstrating its capability as a promising predictor.
Practical investigation of suitable decoding techniques for spectral amplitude coding optical code division multiple access‐based vibration sensing
Authors: Taiwo Ambali , Moghaddasi Majid , Kuje Danjuma , Idriss Yahaya , Mokhtar Makhfudza
Published: April 2016

A suitable decoding technique for spectral amplitude coding optical code division multiple access (SAC‐OCDMA)‐based secured distributed vibration sensor is investigated. The study is carried out to identify the most appropriate techniques for receiving the transmitted vibration signal in SAC‐OCDMA‐based system. The techniques which are direct decoding, complementary and logical AND decoding are compared based on the level of crosstalk, number of components used and supported transmission distance in multiplexed vibration sensing using both simulation and experiment. The results show direct decoding capable of supporting 55 km unlike the other two which are 44 and 38 km, respectively. Aside that, direct decoding techniques could be implemented with less number of components and has optimal signal‐to‐noise ratio while still preventing the system again the ‘man in the middle’ attack.
Transient interference suppression for high‐frequency skywave over‐the‐horizon radar
Authors: Liu Ziwei , Su Hongtao , Hu Qinzhen
Published: April 2016

Skywave over‐the‐horizon radar (OTHR) plays an important role in the out‐of‐sight surveillance. However, the operational performance will severely degrade due to transient interferences. Previous works concentrate on time‐domain methods to achieve transient interference suppression. However, time‐domain methods are usually time‐consuming and suffer performance loss when several discontinuous transient interference segments occupy parts of coherent processing interval. In fact, most transient interferences are spatially structured and can be cancelled at adaptive beamforming stage. In this study, the adaptive beamforming is adopted and a space‐time cascade processing procedure is proposed for transient interference suppression. In the procedure, the sidelobe transient interferences are cancelled by adaptive beamforming and the mainlobe transient interferences are suppressed by a modified time‐domain method. The proposed procedure is in accordance with the regular processing procedure of skywave OTHR and can provide reliable performance with small extra computational costs. The performance of the proposed procedure is evaluated using experimental data recorded by a trial skywave OTHR and the results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging of pharmaceuticals in microfluidic devices
Authors: Ewing Andrew V. , Clarke Graham S. , Kazarian Sergei G.
Published: April 2016

The poor aqueous solubility of many active pharmaceutical ingredients presents challenges for effective drug delivery. In this study, the combination of attenuated total reflection (ATR)-FTIR spectroscopic imaging with specifically designed polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic devices to study drug release from pharmaceutical formulations has been developed. First, the high-throughput analysis of the dissolution of micro-formulations studied under flowing conditions has been introduced using a model formulation of ibuprofen and polyethylene glycol. The behaviour and release of the drug was monitored in situ under different pH conditions. In contrast to the neutral solution, where both the drug and excipient dissolved at a similar rate, structural change from the molecularly dispersed to a crystalline form of ibuprofen was characterised in the obtained spectroscopic images and the corresponding ATR-FTIR spectra for the experiments carried out in the acidic medium. Further investigations into the behaviour of the drug after its release from formulations (i.e., dissolved drug) were also undertaken. Different solutions of sodium ibuprofen dissolved in a neutral medium were studied upon contact with acidic conditions. The phase transition from a dissolved species of sodium ibuprofen to the formation of solid crystalline ibuprofen was revealed in the microfluidic channels. This innovative approach could offer a promising platform for high-throughput analysis of a range of micro-formulations, which are of current interest due to the advent of 3D printed pharmaceutical and microparticulate delivery systems. Furthermore, the ability to study dissolved drug in solution under flowing conditions can be useful for the studies of the diffusion of drugs into tissues or live cells.
Electrochemical capacitance voltage measurements in highly doped silicon and silicon-germanium alloys
Authors: Sermage B. , Essa Z. , Taleb N. , Quillec M. , Aubin J. , Hartmann J. M. , Veillerot M.
Published: April 2016

The electrochemical capacitance voltage technique has been used on highly boron doped SiGe and Si layers. Although the boron concentration is constant over the space charge depth, the 1/C2 versus voltage curves are not linear. They indeed present a negative curvature. This can be explained by the existence of deep acceptors which ionise under a high electric field (large inverse voltage) and not at a low inverse voltage. The measured doping concentration in the electrochemical capacitance voltage increases strongly as the inverse voltage increases. Thanks to a comparison with the boron concentration measured by secondary ions mass spectrometry, we show that the relevant doping concentrations in device layers are obtained for small inverse voltage in agreement with the existence of deep acceptors. At the large inverse voltage, the measured doping can be more than twice larger than the boron concentration measured with a secondary ion mass spectroscopy.
Surface evolution at nanoscale during oxidation: A competing mechanism between local curvature effect and stress effect
Authors: Fang Xufei , Li Yan , Wang Dan , Lu Siyuan , Feng Xue
Published: April 2016

The process of surface evolution of a chemically etched stepped structure at nanoscale during oxidation at 600 °C is in situ and real time observed using scanning probe microscope, which is integrated in a nanoindentation equipment for high temperature test. Experimental results reveal that this curved stepped structure becomes flat after being oxidized for a short period of time. However, after a longer time of oxidation, it is observed that the originally flat surface near the stepped structure becomes rough. Analysis shows that such a surface evolution is attributed to the competition between the nanoscale curvature effect (related to surface energy) and the stress developed in the oxide film during oxidation (related to strain energy). It is demonstrated that both the surface energy and strain energy can modify the surface chemical potential, which acts as the driving force of the surface diffusion of oxygen and further affects the oxide formation on the surface.
Steady-state thermal gradient induced by pulsed laser excitation in a ferromagnetic layer
Authors: Shihab S. , Thevenard L. , Lemaître A. , Duquesne J.-Y. , Gourdon C.
Published: April 2016

In all-optical pump-probe experiments on ferromagnetic layers, the determination of the temperature under the pump laser spot is crucial for a quantitative modeling of the magnetization dynamics. We present here a method to quantify this thermal gradient, exemplified on a (Ga, Mn)(As, P) ferromagnetic semiconductor layer on a GaAs substrate. To estimate the local steady-state temperature, we use the coercive field as a thermometer. The probe records the hysteresis cycle spatially across the hot spot, using the magnetic linear birefringence/dichroism of the sample. Our results are analyzed using the heat diffusion equation with two fitting parameters, the thermal conductivity of the layer/substrate sample and the thermal resistance between the substrate and the thermostat. This opens the way to a quantitative modeling of laser pulse-triggered magnetization dynamics in the presence of transient temperature effects.
Methionine concentration in the pre-starter diet: its effect on broiler breast muscle development
Authors: Powell D. J. , Velleman S. G. , Cowieson A. J. , Muir W. I.
Published: April 2016

The effect of feeding diets of variable methionine concentration on breast muscle development was assessed in Ross 308 broiler chicks. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic starter diets were formulated to contain 7.8, 5.9, 4.6, and 3.4 g methionine/kg diet, and were provided for the first 7 days post-hatch. At 7 days of age all birds were placed on an industry standard starter diet with 5.9 g methionine/kg diet until 14 days, and then provided standard broiler grower (until 28 days) and finisher (until 42 days) diets. Birds were weighed periodically throughout the study and feed intake and feed conversion ratio were determined. Ten birds per treatment were sacrificed and weighed on 0, 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days. The pectoralis major (breast muscle) was then removed from the carcass and weighed. Samples of breast muscle were collected for genetic and histological analysis. Expression of the myogenic marker genes, myogenic differentiation factor 1 and myogenin, which regulate satellite cell activity, and the adipogenic marker gene, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), was measured. Histological assessment of breast muscle morphology and fat deposition morphology was also performed. No effect of dietary treatment was observed on body or breast muscle weight, feed intake or feed conversion ratio. Marker gene expression was also similar in all treatment groups, except for PPARγ. Significantly higher expression of PPARγ was observed at 0 days in the 5.9 g methionine/kg diet treatment, before dietary treatments were provided. Expression of PPARγ did not differ among treatment groups on any subsequent day. Methionine dietary treatment had no effect on the morphological structure of the breast muscle, or intramuscular fat deposition. These results suggest that under the conditions of this study, satellite cell activity in the early post-hatch chick, and subsequent muscle development, were not responsive to the variable methionine manipulations tested in the pre-starter period.
Most secant varieties of tangential varieties to Veronese varieties are nondefective
Authors: Abo Hirotachi , Vannieuwenhoven Nick
Published: April 2016

We prove a conjecture stated by Catalisano, Geramita, and Gimigliano in 2002, which claims that the secant varieties of tangential varieties to the

d
d

th Veronese embedding of the projective

n
n

-space

P

n

\mathbb {P}^n

have the expected dimension, modulo a few well-known exceptions. It is arguably the first complete result on the dimensions of secant varieties of a classically studied variety since the work of Alexander and Hirschowitz in 1995. As Bernardi, Catalisano, Gimigliano, and Idá demonstrated that the proof of this conjecture may be reduced to the case of cubics, i.e.,

d
=
3

d=3

, the main contribution of this work is the resolution of this base case. The proposed proof proceeds by induction on the dimension

n
n

of the projective space via a specialization argument. This reduces the proof to a large number of initial cases for the induction, which were settled using a computer-assisted proof. The individual base cases were computationally challenging problems. Indeed, the largest base case required us to deal with the tangential variety to the third Veronese embedding of

P

79

\mathbb {P}^{79}

in

P

88559

\mathbb {P}^{88559}

.
The Paradoxical Significance of Headache in Hypertension
Authors: Courand Pierre-Yves , Serraille Michaël , Girerd Nicolas , Demarquay Genevieve , Milon Hugues , Lantelme Pierre , Harbaoui Brahim
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

The cardiovascular prognostic value of various types of headache, particularly migraine, in the general population remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess their prognostic value for all-cause, cardiovascular and stroke mortalities in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

A total of 1,914 hypertensive individuals were first categorized according to the absence or presence of headache and thereafter according to the 3 subtypes of headache: migraine, daily headache, and other headache.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that all headache types were predicted by gender (women), diastolic blood pressure, absence of diabetes, secondary hypertension, and a trend for severe retinopathy. After 30 years of follow-up, 1,076 deaths were observed, 580 of whom were from cardiovascular cause and 97 from acute stroke. In a multivariable Cox model adjusted for major confounders, patients having headache had a decreased risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73–0.93) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.68–0.95), but not for stroke mortality (HR 1.00; 95% CI 0.70–1.43). When considering only patients with headache, “daily headache” had a nonsignificant better prognostic value for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality than “other headache” (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.68–1.01; HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.69–1.16, respectively) and “migraine” (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.65–1.11; HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.55–1.10, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Presence of nonspecific headache in hypertensive patients has a paradoxical significance in that it is associated with a high-risk profile but does not result in a worse prognosis over the long term.
Mollack: a web server for the automated creation of conformational ensembles for intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Ziegler Zachary , Schmidt Molly , Gurry Thomas , Burger Virginia , Stultz Collin M.
Published: April 2016

Summary: Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) play central roles in many biological processes. Consequently, an accurate description of the disordered state is an important step towards a comprehensive understanding of a number of important biological functions. In this work we describe a new web server, Mollack, for the automated construction of unfolded ensembles that uses both experimental and molecular simulation data to construct models for the unfolded state. An important aspect of the method is that it calculates a quantitative estimate of the uncertainty in the constructed ensemble, thereby providing an objective measure of the quality of the final model. Overall, Mollack facilitates structure-function studies of disordered proteins.

Availability and Implementation:  http://cmstultz-mollack.mit.edu

Contact:  cmstultz@mit.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sparse group factor analysis for biclustering of multiple data sources
Authors: Bunte Kerstin , Leppäaho Eemeli , Saarinen Inka , Kaski Samuel
Published: April 2016

Motivation: Modelling methods that find structure in data are necessary with the current large volumes of genomic data, and there have been various efforts to find subsets of genes exhibiting consistent patterns over subsets of treatments. These biclustering techniques have focused on one data source, often gene expression data. We present a Bayesian approach for joint biclustering of multiple data sources, extending a recent method Group Factor Analysis to have a biclustering interpretation with additional sparsity assumptions. The resulting method enables data-driven detection of linear structure present in parts of the data sources.

Results: Our simulation studies show that the proposed method reliably infers biclusters from heterogeneous data sources. We tested the method on data from the NCI-DREAM drug sensitivity prediction challenge, resulting in an excellent prediction accuracy. Moreover, the predictions are based on several biclusters which provide insight into the data sources, in this case on gene expression, DNA methylation, protein abundance, exome sequence, functional connectivity fingerprints and drug sensitivity.

Availability and Implementation: http://research.cs.aalto.fi/pml/software/GFAsparse/

Contacts: kerstin.bunte@googlemail.com or samuel.kaski@aalto.fi
DJ-1 linked parkinsonism (PARK7) is associated with Lewy body pathology
Authors: Taipa Ricardo , Pereira Conceição , Reis Inês , Alonso Isabel , Bastos-Lima António , Melo-Pires Manuel , Magalhães Marina
Published: April 2016

Mutations in DJ-1 (encoded by PARK7) are a very rare cause of early-onset recessive Parkinson’s disease. We describe a patient with early-onset parkinsonism, starting at the age of 22, with poor response to levodopa and additional features in progression (dystonia, pyramidal signs and dementia), who died when he was 49 years old. The neuropathological study showed severe substantia nigra and locus coeruleus neuronal loss, with diffuse Lewy body pathology (Lewy bodies, aberrant neurites, grain-like structures, spheroids and scattered glial pathology). Genetic analysis revealed a novel c.515T > A; p.L172Q mutation in the PARK7 gene. To evaluate the pathogenicity of this new mutation we explored DJ-1 expression levels in vitro showing a massive reduction in DJ-1 protein levels due to a highly unstable and rapidly degraded L172Q mutant. DJ-1 immunohistochemistry of brain tissue revealed no staining in our case. This is the first neuropathological report of a brain from DJ-1-linked parkinsonism that, although based on a single case study, suggests that DJ-1 mutations are causative of α-synucleinopathy. These results can help in the understanding of Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology, promote research studies to increase the knowledge on the pathways involved in the neurodegeneration process, and pave the way for new therapeutic interventions.
Developing a digital data collection platform to measure the prevalence of sepsis in Wales
Authors: Sharif B , Lundin RM , Morgan P , Hall JE , Dhadda A , Mann C , Donoghue D , Brownlow E , Hill F , Carr G , Turley H , Hassall J , Atkinson M , Jones M , Martin R , Rollason S , Ibrahim Y , Kopczynska M , Szakmany T
Published: April 2016

Objective To develop a secure, efficient, and easy-to-use data collection platform to measure the prevalence of sepsis in Wales over 24 hours.

Materials and Methods Open Data Kit was used on Android devices with Google App Engine and a digital data collection form.

Results A total of 184 students participated in the study using 59 devices across 16 hospitals, 1198 datasets were submitted, and 97% of participants found the Open Data Kit form easy to use.

Discussion We successfully demonstrated that by combining a reliable Android device, a free open-source data collection framework, a scalable cloud-based server, and a team of 184 medical students, we can deliver a low-cost, highly reliable platform that requires little training or maintenance, providing results immediately on completion of data collection.

Conclusion Our platform allowed us to measure, for the first time, the prevalence of sepsis in Wales over 24 hours.
Relativistic radiative transfer and relativistic spherical shell flows
Authors: Fukue Jun
Published: April 2016

We examine a radiatively driven spherical flow from a central object, whose thickness is smaller than the radius of the central object, and a plane-parallel approximation can be used—a spherical shell flow. We first solve the relativistic radiative transfer equation iteratively, using a given velocity field, and obtain specific intensities as well as moment quantities. Using the obtained comoving flux, we then solve the relativistic hydrodynamical equation, and obtain a new velocity field. We repeat these double iteration processes until both the intensity and velocity profiles converge. We found that the flow speed v(τ) is roughly approximated as β ≡ v/c = βs(1 − τ/τb), where τ is the optical depth, τb the flow total optical depth, and c the speed of light. We further found that the flow terminal speed vs is roughly expressed as $\beta _{\rm s} \equiv v_{\rm s}/c = (\Gamma \hat{F}_0-1)\tau _{\rm b}/\dot{m}\,$, where Γ is the central luminosity normalized by the Eddington luminosity, $\hat{F}_0$ the comoving flux normalized by the incident flux, and of the order of unity, and $\dot{m}$  the mass-loss rate normalized by the critical mass loss.
CO-to-H2 conversion factor of molecular clouds using X-ray shadows
Authors: Sofue Yoshiaki , Kataoka Jun
Published: April 2016

A new method to determine the CO-to-H2 conversion factor XCO using absorption of diffuse X-ray emission by local molecular clouds was developed. It was applied to the Ophiuchus (G353+17) and Corona Australis (G359−18) clouds using CO line and soft X-ray archival data. We obtained a value XCO = 1.85 ± 0.45 × 1020 H2 cm−2 (K km s−1)−1 as the average of least-χ2 fitting results for R4 (0.7 keV) and R5 (0.8 keV) bands.
Does research matter in residency applications? A single institution’s experience
Authors: Larson Eric , Wojcik Jonathan , Cannada Lisa K.
Published: April 2016

Background:

Orthopaedic surgery has become one of the most competitive specialties for medical students to pursue. With increasing numbers of well-qualified applicants applying into the field, it has become essential for students to distinguish themselves, and one effective way of doing so is through research involvement.

Methods:

Saint Louis University (SLU) graduates from 2010-2015 who successfully matched into orthopaedic surgery were contacted and asked about their involvement in research, what field that research was in, whether it led to any publications or presentations, and which faculty member oversaw the project.

Results:

Between 2010 and 2015, 41 students matched into orthopaedic surgery from SLU out of a total of 42 who had applied, yielding a 97.6% match rate. Sixty-eight percent (26/38) of the graduates who responded to our survey took part in a total of 45 orthopaedic surgery research projects. This research resulted in 19 publications and 28 presentations. Thirty-three projects were done through the SLU Department of Orthopaedics and 12 projects were done at an outside facility. Of the 12 graduates who responded to the survey and denied orthopaedic research, eight took part in research projects through other departments.

Conclusions:

SLU’s match rate into orthopaedics over the last 6 years (97.6%) is significantly above the national average for the same period of time (75.6%). Thirty-four of 38 (89.5%) of our graduates were engaged in research during medical school, which is well above the reported national average for medical students (57%). We believe this strong research involvement accounts for our high match rate into orthopaedics.
Cutaneous, Purpuric Painful Nodules Upon Addition of Ibrutinib to RCVP Therapy in a CLL Patient: A Distinctive Reaction Pattern Reflecting Iatrogenic Th2 to Th1 Milieu Reversal
Authors: Mulvey Joseph Justin , Nuovo Gerard J. , Magro Cynthia M.
Published: April 2016

A 70-year-old white man with stage C chronic lymphocytic leukemia who was being successfully treated with ibrutinib and rituximab developed bilateral, purpuric, painful cutaneous nodules. Biopsies of these nodules did not reveal the usual Th2 milieu of chronic lymphocytic leukemia but instead exhibited a Th1-rich lymphocytic infiltrate with resultant neutrophil and granulomatous inflammation. The eruption resolved with drug cessation emphasizing the potential importance of this drug in treating conditions associated with Th2 dysregulation.
Acquired Localized Longitudinal Pachyonychia and Onychomatrical Tumors: A Comparative Study to Onychomatricomas (5 Cases) and Onychocytic Matricomas (4 Cases)
Authors: Perrin Christophe , Cannata Giuseppe Emilio , Langbein Lutz , Ambrosetti Damien , Coutts Michael , Balaguer Thierry , Garzon Jean-Marc , Michiels Jean-François
Published: April 2016

Background:

Besides onychomatricoma (OM), which shows a clinical band pattern of nail plate thickening, 2 new onychomatrical tumors with this clinical feature have recently been described: onychocytic matricoma (OCM) and in situ onychocytic carcinoma.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to present 4 cases of OCMs and compare their clinical and histopathologic characteristics with usual OMs.

Methods:

We studied 4 cases of OCMs with nail clipping in 3 cases and an extensive immunohistochemical study for hair-related keratins and epithelial keratins. Nail clipping of OCMs was compared with the distal nail plate of 5 cases of OMs.

Results:

All cases showed an acquired localized longitudinal band pattern of a thickened nail plate with yellow discoloration in 2 cases and a black streak in 2 cases. All cases showed a V-shaped keratogenous epithelial tumor with a papillomatous pattern of growth. The nail plate was thickened with small holes in a honeycomb pattern. In contrast, the 5 OMs showed the classical pattern of a panonychoma fibropapilliferum. The nail plate showed large cavities in a honeycomb pattern.

Conclusions:

This case series raises awareness of the clinical value of longitudinal pachyonychia coupled with nail clipping in the early detection of onychomatrical tumors as generic diagnosis with a limited differential diagnosis and a simple therapeutic approach. Nail clipping could be an aid in the surgical planning of onychomatrical tumor. A diagnosis of a benign growth could be suggested when the average dimensions of cavities are superior to 0.15 mm sparing the patient from an excisional procedure with its risk of subsequent permanent nail dystrophy. In contrast, nail clipping with a honeycomb pattern of minute cavities with average dimension inferior to 0.10 mm should prompt a biopsy of the distal matrix to rule out a malignant lesion.
Rosacea-Like Leukemia Cutis: A Case Report
Authors: Cruz Manzano Mariana , Ramírez García Lilliana , Sánchez Pont Julio E. , Velázquez Mañana Ana I. , Sánchez Jorge L.
Published: April 2016

Leukemia cutis describes the infiltration and dissemination of neoplastic leukemic cells into the epidermis, dermis, or subcutis, resulting in clinically identifiable cutaneous lesions. Depending on the type of leukemia, a wide range of clinical and histopathological findings may be encountered. This report describes a patient with a rosacea-like eruption as a unique clinical presentation of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.
Morpheaform Basal Cell Carcinomas With Areas of Predominantly Single-Cell Pattern of Infiltration: Diagnostic Utility of p63 and Cytokeratin
Authors: East Ellen , Fullen Douglas R. , Arps David , Patel Rajiv M. , Palanisamy Nallasivam , Carskadon Shannon , Harms Paul W.
Published: April 2016

Background:

Morpheaform basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a variant of BCC characterized by narrow strands and nests of basaloid cells with dense sclerotic stroma. The histologic extent often exceeds the clinical impression, leading to high recurrence rates after standard excision. The authors encountered a case with single-cell invasion distant from the main tumor. To date a systematic review of single-cell infiltration in morpheaform BCC has yet to be performed.

Design:

Ten morpheaform BCCs, 10 nonmorpheaform aggressive BCCs, 5 desmoplastic trichoepitheliomas, and 2 microcystic adnexal carcinomas were identified by database search and confirmed on hematoxylin and eosin. Cases were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical staining for p63, and (in a subset) broad-spectrum cytokeratin. Single-cell pattern was defined as individual cells, 2-cell clusters, or single-file invasion.

Results:

Three types of single-cell pattern were identified: intratumoral (single cells within the main tumor mass), peripheral, and distant. Single cells were typically a minor component relative to larger tumor nodules and strands. Eight of the 10 cases of morpheaform BCC demonstrated areas of single-cell pattern: 3 intratumoral, 3 peripheral, and 2 with distant spread (0.75 and 1.0 mm from the main tumor). Eight of the 10 aggressive BCC demonstrated a peripheral single-cell pattern. Rare intratumoral single cells were identified in 3/5 desmoplastic trichoepitheliomas and 1/2 microcystic adnexal carcinomas.

Conclusion:

Single-cell pattern is frequently a component of morpheaform BCC. Tumor cells at a significant distance from the main component were unique to morpheaform BCC. Thus, when evaluating margins for morpheaform BCC, increased caution is recommended, and immunohistochemical stains for p63 or cytokeratins may be helpful.
Cutaneous Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma: Report of 2 New Cases Integrated With SATB2 Immunohistochemistry and Review of the Literature
Authors: Falconieri Giovanni , Cataldi Palmina , Kavalar Rajko , Štitič Vesna , Luzar Boštjan
Published: April 2016

We report 2 cases of primary dermal osteosarcoma. The patients were an 88-year-old man and a 72-year-old man complaining of masses occurring in the ear pavilion and the palm, deemed suspicious for basal cell carcinoma and metastatic colonic carcinoma, and were treated by resection. Microscopically, both featured a dermal lesion mostly composed of atypical spindle cells within a fibrous to hyaline matrix often showing mineralization. Osteoid material was rimmed by atypical tumor cells and was also associated with osteoclast-like giant cells. Tumor cells were positive for SATB2 and negative for markers of epithelial (low-molecular and high-molecular weight cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, p63), melanocytic (S100 protein, HMB45, Melan A), and skeletal/smooth muscle differentiation (desmin, myogenin). No further therapy has been administered. Follow-up at 6 (case 1) and 8 months (case 2) was uneventful. A brief differential diagnosis discussing cutaneous tumors capable of showing osseous differentiation is summarized, along with a review of the pertinent literature. The specificity and sensitivity of SATB2 is also shortly addressed.
Loss of Fumarate Hydratase and Aberrant Protein Succination Detected With S-(2-Succino)-Cysteine Staining to Identify Patients With Multiple Cutaneous and Uterine Leiomyomatosis and Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer Syndrome
Authors: Llamas-Velasco Mar , Requena Luis , Adam Julie , Frizzell Norma , Hartmann Arndt , Mentzel Thomas
Published: April 2016

Aims:

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygotic germline mutations in fumarate hydratase (FH) with incomplete penetrance, and clinically challenging to diagnose. Immunohistochemical stainings may favor an earlier diagnosis.

Methods and Results:

The authors have tested 31 smooth muscle neoplasms. Ten of the 13 lesions from patients with HLRCC syndrome showed negative FH staining. Most sporadic piloleiomyomas presented strongly positive FH staining although 5 cases were negative. Sensitivity of FH staining in our series is 83.3% but specificity is 75%. Anti-S-(2-succino)-cysteine (2SC) showed the opposite intensity staining pattern and showed great correlation with anti-FH (rho spearman = −0.797). Anti-2SC staining increased the diagnostic accuracy in 19% of the cases.

Limitations:

The main limitation of this study is the lack additional clinical data to further classify the cases as the case inclusion was histopathological.

Conclusions:

Negative FH staining could indicate a high risk of HLRCC but it could also suggest the presence of a syndrome in up to 25% of sporadic cases. Thus, when there is a doubtful case, anti-2SC may be added to exclude the syndrome if a negative staining is found.
Diffuse Dermal Angiomatosis of the Breast With an Apparent Etiology of Underlying Calcified Thrombosed Artery With Adjacent Fat Necrosis
Authors: Strausburg Matthew B. , Gehlhausen Jeff , Ludwig Kandice , Warren Simon
Published: April 2016

In this report, the authors present a case of diffuse dermal angiomatosis (DDA) with an underlying mass lesion of the breast, which proved to be a large calcified, thrombosed artery with adjacent fat necrosis. Histologically, DDA consists of hyperplastic vessels, which diffusely infiltrate the papillary and reticular dermis forming small vascular lumina. The condition is associated with various underlying conditions, many of which result in local tissue ischemia. In the past, DDA was most commonly reported on the lower extremities; however, it seems that this entity is more common on the breast than previously recognized. Various treatments have proven beneficial, including revascularization, oral corticosteroids, smoking cessation, and isotretinoin. In this case, our patient benefited from primary excision of the affected area.
Screening for and validation of a hepatic fibrosis-related pathway induced by insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-related protein 1
Authors: Guo XiaoHong , Zhang HaiYan , Zhang QianQian , Li XiuQing , Liu LiXin
Published: April 2016

Objective

Our previous studies characterized insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-related protein 1 (IGFBPrP1) as a molecule that promotes hepatic fibrogenesis, but its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we have investigated the effect of IGFBPrP1 on gene expression in the hepatic fibrosis-related pathway.

Materials and methods

Sprague–Dawley rats received injections of an adenovirus carrying IGFBPrP1 or EGFP cDNA into their tail veins. In hepatic preparations, hepatic stellate cell activation was determined by α-smooth muscle actin expression and hepatic fibrosis by Sirius red staining and hydroxyproline content analysis. IGFBPrP1-inducible genes of the hepatic fibrosis-related pathway were assessed by PCR array. Expression of IGFBPrP1 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and array results were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting.

Results

IGFBPrP1-overexpressing rats showed an increase in α-smooth muscle actin expression and collagen and hydroxyproline content in the liver. The PCR array results indicated that some genes were upregulated and some were downregulated in Ad-IGFBPrP1-infected rats. Among these, Egr1, MAP2K2 (MEK2) and MAPK3 (ERK1) expression increased, whereas PTEN and Hhip mRNA expression decreased. Egr1 protein levels increased and peaked 2 weeks after infection and then decreased gradually. PTEN protein decreased gradually in Ad-IGFBPrP1-infected rats with a concurrent increase in the degree of hepatic fibrosis. TGFβ1 levels increased during hepatic fibrosis development in liver tissues.

Conclusion

Egr1, PTEN, Hhip, MAP2K2 (MEK2) and MAPK3 (ERK1) were identified as candidate genes of the IGFBPrP1-induced hepatic fibrosis-related pathway. IGFBPrP1 promoted hepatic fibrosis mainly by enhancing the TGFβ1 expression that it triggered.
Long-term outcome of neonates with suspected Hirschsprung’s disease, but normal rectal biopsy
Authors: Harlev Daniel , Kharenko Oleg , Waxman Jacob , Frankel Tanya , Turner Dan , Ledder Oren
Published: April 2016

Background and objectives

Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) must always be considered in very early-onset constipation. Although HD has a well-described clinical course, little is known about those neonates in whom HD was excluded. We aimed to describe the long-term clinical outcomes of neonates with a clinical suspicion of HD that was excluded by rectal suction biopsy.

Methods

This is a single-center double-cohort comparative study. Neonates who underwent rectal mucosa biopsy for suspected HD were age and sex matched with healthy controls. A survey on clinical outcomes, stooling patterns, and other gastrointestinal (GI)-related conditions was sent to parents. Pathology slides were re-reported by an experienced histopathologist blinded to the clinical data.

Results

A total of 51 neonates were included [25 cases, 26 controls; 41% males, median time of follow-up 4.25 years (interquartile range 2.7–6.9)]. Nine (36%) of patients in the case group required prolonged laxative use for constipation during the first year of life compared with 0 (0%) controls (P<0.001). This difference was maintained at the end of follow-up, with 5 (20%) versus 0 (0%), respectively (P=0.02). Case neonates were significantly more likely to be hospitalized or to be diagnosed with a chronic GI-related condition than the controls (33 vs. 12%, P=0.01; and 19 vs. 8%, P=0.04, respectively).

Conclusion

Neonatal constipation is associated with long-term GI-related disorders and should be considered clinically significant even when the diagnosis of HD is excluded. Neonates with early-onset abnormal stooling patterns should be monitored with adequate pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist follow-up.
Systematic Evaluation of Diagnostic Delay in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Schoepfer Alain M. , Vavricka Stephan , Safroneeva Ekaterina , Fournier Nicolas , Manser Christine , Frei Pascal , Deltenre Pierre , Rogler Gerhard , Straumann Alex , Ezri Jessica , Nydegger Andreas , Braegger Christian
Published: April 2016

We evaluated the diagnostic delay (time from first symptoms to diagnosis) in 100 pediatric patients with Crohn disease (CD) and 75 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Median (interquartile range) diagnostic delay in patients with CD was 4 (2–8) (range 0–82) months compared with 2 (1–7) (range 0–52) months in patients with UC (P = 0.003). The time interval from first physician visit to inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis was longer in patients with CD and UC when compared to the time interval from symptom onset to first physician visit (CD: median 3 vs 1 months, P < 0.001; UC: median 2 vs 0 months, P < 0.001). No specific risk factors were identified for the length of diagnostic delay. Measures should be taken to reduce diagnostic delay.
Ancient mitochondrial DNA reveals convergent evolution of giant short-faced bears (Tremarctinae) in North and South America
Authors: Mitchell Kieren J. , Bray Sarah C. , Bover Pere , Soibelzon Leopoldo , Schubert Blaine W. , Prevosti Francisco , Prieto Alfredo , Martin Fabiana , Austin Jeremy J. , Cooper Alan
Published: April 2016

The Tremarctinae are a subfamily of bears endemic to the New World, including two of the largest terrestrial mammalian carnivores that have ever lived: the giant, short-faced bearsArctodus simusfrom North America andArctotherium angustidensfrom South America (greater than or equal to 1000 kg).Arctotherium angustidensbecame extinct during the Early Pleistocene, whereasArctodus simuswent extinct at the very end of the Pleistocene. The only living tremarctine is the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), a largely herbivorous bear that is today only found in South America. The relationships among the spectacled bears (Tremarctos), South American short-faced bears (Arctotherium) and North American short-faced bears (Arctodus) remain uncertain. In this study, we sequenced a mitochondrial genome from anArctotheriumfemur preserved in a Chilean cave. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the South American short-faced bears were more closely related to the extant South American spectacled bear than to the North American short-faced bears. This result suggests striking convergent evolution of giant forms in the two groups of short-faced bears (ArctodusandArctotherium), potentially as an adaptation to dominate competition for megafaunal carcasses.
Metabolic strategies in wild male Barbary macaques: evidence from faecal measurement of thyroid hormone
Authors: Cristóbal-Azkarate Jurgi , Maréchal Laëtitia , Semple Stuart , Majolo Bonaventura , MacLarnon Ann
Published: April 2016

Selection is expected to favour the evolution of flexible metabolic strategies, in response to environmental conditions. Here, we use a non-invasive index of basal metabolic rate (BMR), faecal thyroid hormone (T3) levels, to explore metabolic flexibility in a wild mammal inhabiting a highly seasonal, challenging environment. T3 levels of adult male Barbary macaques in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco, varied markedly over the year; temporal patterns of variation differed between a wild-feeding and a provisioned group. Overall, T3 levels were related to temperature, foraging time (linked to food availability) and intensity of mating activity, and were higher in the provisioned than in the wild-feeding group. In both groups, T3 levels began to increase markedly one month before the start of the mating season, peaking four to six weeks into this period, and at a higher level in the wild-feeding group. Our results suggest that while both groups demonstrate marked metabolic flexibility, responding similarly to ecological and social challenges, such flexibility is affected by food availability. This study provides new insights into the way Barbary macaques respond to the multiple demands of their environment.
Nonsinusoidal oscillations underlie pathological phase-amplitude coupling in the motor cortex in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Cole Scott R. , Peterson Erik J. , van der Meij Roemer , de Hemptinne Coralie , Starr Philip A. , Voytek Bradley
Published: April 2016

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with abnormal beta oscillations (13-30 Hz) in the basal ganglia and motor cortex (M1). Recent reports show that M1 beta-high gamma (50-200 Hz) phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) is exaggerated in PD and is reduced following acute deep brain stimulation (DBS). Here we analyze invasive M1 electrocorticography recordings in PD patients on and off DBS, and in isolated cervical dystonia patients, and show that M1 beta oscillations are nonsinusoidal, having sharp and asymmetric features. These sharp oscillatory beta features underlie the previously reported PAC, providing an alternative to the standard interpretation of PAC as an interaction between two distinct frequency components. Specifically, the ratio between peak and trough sharpness is nearly perfectly correlated with beta-high gamma PAC (r= 0.96) and predicts PD-related motor deficit. Using a simulation of the local field potential, we demonstrate that sharp oscillatory waves can arise from synchronous synaptic activity. We propose that exaggerated beta-high gamma PAC may actually reflect such synchronous synaptic activity, manifesting as sharp beta oscillations that are “smoothed out” with DBS. These results support the “desynchronization” hypothesis of DBS wherein DBS counteracts pathological synchronization throughout the basal ganglia-thalamocortical loop. We argue that PAC can be influenced by more than one mechanism. In this case synaptic synchrony, rather than the often assumed spike-field coherence, may underlie exaggerated PAC. These often overlooked temporal features of the oscillatory waveform carry critical physiological information about neural processes and dynamics that may lead to better understanding of underlying neuropathology.
Assessing the risks and opportunities in corporate art sponsorship arrangements using Fiske’s Relational Models Theory
Authors: Ryan Annmarie , Blois Keith
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address a particular tension in arts marketing, that is, the ongoing search for balance between achieving artistic excellence and financial stability, while keeping work accessible and satisfying a range of stakeholders, public and private.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using Fiske’s (1992) relational models theory as a framework to categorize different modes of exchange between a sponsor and an arts organization, this paper focusses on the varied nature of interactions between parties.

Findings

– Drawing on data from a longitudinal case study, the authors evaluate the many opportunities and risks associated with sponsorship arrangements and to explore how these become manifest and potentially resolved within the relational structure over time. Moreover, the authors examine how an arts marketer can employ particular relational models of exchange to mitigate the risks of another model which is operational within the sponsorship.

Research limitations/implications

– The aim of this paper is to consider the variety of exchange ongoing in long-term sponsorship arrangements, and in using Fiske’s RM theory, to identify the risk and opportunities associated with these exchanges. The case study examined here is, of course, idiosyncratic in terms of people, time and place. However, what is general, and what the authors wish to draw attention to, is how managers can employ different models of exchange to mitigate risks arising out of the dominance of any one model in the sponsorship relationship.

Practical implications

– For executives involved in the management of sponsorship relationships, a rich understanding of their risks and opportunities is important. For example, rather than assuming that market-based considerations or social bonds to be either wholly positive or negative, in this paper the authors have demonstrated that each can have an important role in the dynamic of sponsorship relationships. Therefore, for example, while strong social bonds will mitigate the risks of market-based mechanisms, the risks of social bonds themselves can be balanced through appropriate intermittent recourse to market-based mechanisms. In any specific sponsorship arrangement it will become a matter of balance, and a development of understanding of the role of market, hierarchical, reciprocal and communal dimensions associated with long-term relationships.

Originality/value

– In this regard, the authors offer six propositions, which capture the mitigation and enhancement of risks and opportunities, respectively, as well as considerations for relationship dynamics arising from the analysis.
A second-order perturbation method for fuzzy eigenvalue problems
Authors: Guo Mengwu , Zhong Hongzhi , You Kuan
Published: April 2016

Purpose

For eigenvalue problems containing uncertain inputs characterized by fuzzy basic parameters, first-order perturbation methods have been developed to extract eigen-solutions, but either the result accuracy or the computational efficiency of these methods is less satisfactory. This paper presents an efficient method for estimation of fuzzy eigenvalues with high accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the first order derivatives of eigenvalues and modes with respect to the fuzzy basic parameters, expressions of the second order derivatives of eigenvalues are formulated. Then a second-order perturbation method is introduced to provide more accurate fuzzy eigenvalue solutions. Only one eigenvalue solution is sought for the perturbed formulation, and quadratic programming is performed to simplify the alpha-level optimization.

Findings

Fuzzy natural frequencies and buckling loads of some structures are estimated with good accuracy, illustrating the high computational efficiency of the proposed method.

Originality/value

Up to the second order derivatives of the eigenvalues with respect to the basic parameters are represented in functional forms, which are used to introduce a second-order perturbation method for treatment of fuzzy eigenvalue problems. The corresponding alpha-level optimization is thus simplified into quadratic programming. The proposed method provides much more accurate interval solutions at alpha-cuts for the membership functions of fuzzy eigenvalues. Analogously, third- and higher-order perturbation methods can be developed for more stringent accuracy demands or for the treatment of stronger nonlinearity. The present work can be applied to realistic structural analysis in civil engineering, especially for those structures made of dispersed materials such as concrete and soil.