bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influences on innovation in small Australian construction businesses
Authors: Hardie Mary
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the major influences on innovation delivery in the context of small Australian construction businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis was undertaken of peer‐reviewed journal articles published between 1998 and 2008. Historical background to the current circumstances was included by reference to influential government reports and to literature on the economic theory underpinning the concept of innovation.

Findings

The findings suggest that despite the recent trend to more cooperative business arrangements, the ingrained culture of aggressively competitive relations on a building project remains in place. This is particularly evident at the small and sub‐contractor level. Such companies tend to operate with little spare capacity and can be restricted from participation in the benefits of the innovation strategies unless they receive outside assistance.

Research limitations/implications

The need for an attitudinal change is described and critical factors which restrict the involvement of small businesses in innovative practice are identified. The potential for industry bodies and government organizations to foster innovative capacity is identified as an area for future research.

Practical implications

A focus on lifting technical innovation rates for the efficient delivery of projects is described and the case for a renewed research effort on the needs of small construction businesses is made.

Originality/value

The need for the translation of innovation theory to an industry which tends to see itself as a special case and has traditionally avoided the adoption of economic theory from other sectors.
Italian and Indian gold and jewelry SMEs, marketing practices in the USA
Authors: Simoni Christian , Rabino Samuel , Zanni Lorenzo
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine current patterns of international marketing activities of Italian gold firms with a special emphasis on the US market and to juxtapose them with those adopted by Indian gold firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from Italy and India served as the study setting. Data were collected via depth interviews from the owners/managers of four Italian and three Indian firms.

Findings

The paper finds that the competitive behavior of Italian SMEs is primarily reactive, whereas Indian companies strategically focus on the expanding Indian immigrant community.

Research limitations/implications

This is a case study evaluating small companies based in two regions (Arezzo, and Hyderabad, India).

Originality/value

A strategic comparison of the competitive conducts of SMEs based in an old economy country and a new economy emerging market‐based firms.
Proposed changes to lease accounting
Authors: Knubley Rachel
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is proposing a fundamental change to the way lease contracts are accounted for by both lessees and lessors. This article aims to summarise the proposed change.

Design/methodology/approach

This article explains why the IASB decided to add a project on lease accounting to its agenda; outlines the proposed approach to lessee accounting; discusses how the proposals will affect lessors of real estate; and describes the next steps in the project.

Findings

The proposed changes described in this article will require lessees to recognise assets and liabilities in respect of operating leases on their balance sheet. This will affect lessees of real estate, because many property leases are currently classified as operating leases. The proposed changes will also have a significant effect on any lessor that carries investment property at cost rather than fair value.

Originality/value

Interested parties have the opportunity to comment on the proposals summarised in this article when the IASB publishes an exposure draft of the proposed changes in the third quarter of this year.
Accounting for leases: telling it how it is
Authors: Lyon Julian
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to express a viewpoint in respect of proposed changes to accounting for leases. It aims to present a summary of accounting principles and behaviours in the property leasing markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reflects analysis by the author conducted as part of an MBA project (which, in its entirety, dealt with the lease versus own decision) and is summarised as follows: in the definitions of SSAP 21, a lease is “a contract between a lessor and a lessee … ” and a distinction is drawn between an operating lease and a finance lease. The almost arbitrary treatment of leases has never been satisfactory but dealing with the shortcomings has proven awkward to the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Findings

The value of reflecting leases on the balance sheet can be determined by close analysis of the work of Lasfer and other proponents of the advice that leasing real estate is better than owning it. The purpose of financial reporting is to show an accurate picture of the trading and health of the business in question. If significant parts of the picture are missing, perhaps it is not surprising that markets struggle to comprehend the true nature of assets and liabilities. Leasing is an activity whereby the use of an asset is separated from the ownership of that asset. The Accounting Standards Board, in its Statement of Principle, defines assets as “rights or other access to future economic benefits controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events”. Liabilities are defined as “obligations to transfer benefits as a result of past transactions or events”. Ownership of property would appear to fall into the category of asset; any borrowings against that asset would be categorised as a liability. A lease would appear to fall into both liability and asset categories.

Originality/value

It may not be comfortable for occupiers to adjust to the new accounting regime. It is, in the author's judgement, in the best interests of all stakeholders and, since it will require more active management, of the business itself.
Sale and leaseback programme in Barclays
Authors: Morris Sean
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the context, rationale, execution strategies and results of the biggest property sale and leaseback programme Barclays has yet undertaken.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a review and analysis of Barclays' project documentation plus report and accounts, interviews with key decisionmakers, analysis of external economic and property market data in order to set the strategy choices and results achieved into context.

Findings

The sale and leaseback programme released capital and supported business objectives at a material level for Barclays; it achieved sales values that were at cyclical highs; flexibility in execution allowed additional value to be delivered across changing market conditions; a mixed skills team was critical for success.

Originality/value

The paper documents why the sale and leaseback programme made sense for the organisation and what elements were key to success both as a strategy and through execution. It provides a case study for how a large organisation approached a recent and large‐scale sale and leaseback opportunity across a portfolio of 900‐1,000 properties.
Mobile payment applications: offer state of the art in the Italian market
Authors: Ghezzi Antonio , Renga Filippo , Balocco Raffaello , Pescetto Paolo
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide an initial study on the Italian mobile payment services market, and to identify and assess the main diffusion drivers of mobile payment applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design integrates an exhaustive census of all Italian mPayment applications and an in‐depth analysis of the most significant cases performed through the case studies methodology: ten user companies or “merchants” and six service providers were analyzed through semi‐structured interviews given to top managers.

Findings

Through the census, 21 mPayment applications and related services were identified. In addition to this, the case studies brought greater understanding of the key diffusion drivers: strong inhibitory factors and adoption barriers are still restricting user adoption despite the many benefits related to these services.

Research limitations/implications

The research represents a first, exploratory study of a market at its embryonic stage of development. Nevertheless, given the global magnitude of the Italian mobile telecommunications market and the gradual rise of the mPayment paradigm, the analysis can provide a valuable basis for future studies in the field.

Practical implications

The findings can support a wide set of stakeholders – both first movers and newcomers of the mobile payment segment – in their offer definition and market making choices.

Originality/value

The paper combines a census and a case study methodology to delineate the offer's state of the art for innovative, mobile channel‐based payment services; moreover, its assessment of the applications' core benefits, diffusion drivers and adoption barriers can be tested for generalization to different contexts.
Personalisation and sociability of open knowledge management based on social tagging
Authors: Lee Baozhen , Ge Shilun
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the personalised and social characteristics of open knowledge management in higher education based on social tagging in the Web 2.0 environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the function of annotation in social tagging, the paper analyses its personalised characteristics of recognising the preferences of participants, and its personalised‐social characteristics of enriching content from all kinds of aspects; through the function of association of social tagging, it analyses its social characteristics of social networking, and its social‐personalised characteristics of collaborative acquisition or recommendation.

Findings

In the process of online information and open knowledge organisation and acquisition based on the annotation function of social tagging in the Web 2.0 environment, the personalised participation of individuals will lead to social results for everyone; however, in the process of online information and open knowledge creation and sharing based on the association function of social tagging, social and collaborative sharing among participants will help with personalised knowledge allocation.

Originality/value

In open knowledge management in higher education, the characteristics of personalisation and sociability based on social tagging will help to personalise the organisation and acquisition of knowledge, and help with social creation and sharing of knowledge.
Semantic representation for copyright metadata of user‐generated content in folksonomies
Authors: Kim Haklae , Breslin John , Hwa Choi Jae
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate some general features of folksonomies and user‐generated content with copyright issues, and to present semantic representation for folksonomies using a tag ontology that can be used to represent tagging data at a semantic level using Semantic Web technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory study is described that features current social tagging methods and copyright metadata. In particular, a tag ontology is extended for representing copyright metadata across different platforms.

Findings

The main finding is that Social Semantic Cloud of Tags can improve the expressive knowledge representation of folksonomies and that this ontology can aid in describing copyright metadata using some extended properties.

Originality/value

The paper gives a valuable insight into representing folksonomies with Semantic Web technologies that enable the representation, exchange, and reuse of tagging data, and provides a way to reduce the risk of copyright infringements in the process of tag sharing in folksonomies.
Assessment of two analytical methods in solving the linear and nonlinear elastic beam deformation problems
Authors: Barari A. , Ganjavi B. , Ghanbari Jeloudar M. , Domairry G.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

In the last two decades with the rapid development of nonlinear science, there has appeared ever‐increasing interest of scientists and engineers in the analytical techniques for nonlinear problems. This paper considers linear and nonlinear systems that are not only regarded as general boundary value problems, but also are used as mathematical models in viscoelastic and inelastic flows. The purpose of this paper is to present the application of the homotopy‐perturbation method (HPM) and variational iteration method (VIM) to solve some boundary value problems in structural engineering and fluid mechanics.

Design/methodology/approach

Two new but powerful analytical methods, namely, He's VIM and HPM, are introduced to solve some boundary value problems in structural engineering and fluid mechanics.

Findings

Analytical solutions often fit under classical perturbation methods. However, as with other analytical techniques, certain limitations restrict the wide application of perturbation methods, most important of which is the dependence of these methods on the existence of a small parameter in the equation. Disappointingly, the majority of nonlinear problems have no small parameter at all. Furthermore, the approximate solutions solved by the perturbation methods are valid, in most cases, only for the small values of the parameters. In the present study, two powerful analytical methods HPM and VIM have been employed to solve the linear and nonlinear elastic beam deformation problems. The results reveal that these new methods are very effective and simple and do not require a large computer memory and can also be used for solving linear and nonlinear boundary value problems.

Originality/value

The results revealed that the VIM and HPM are remarkably effective for solving boundary value problems. These methods are very promoting methods which can be wildly utilized for solving mathematical and engineering problems.
Integrated framework for satisfaction assessment in construction sector
Authors: Nzekwe‐Excel Chinny , Nwagboso Chris , Georgakis Panos , Proverbs David
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss assessment of the satisfaction levels of different members of a construction project team as a basis for meeting the needs of the client.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated framework is proposed that enables a collaboration of construction clients and project participants based on the recognition of the satisfaction requirements of every participant represented in the project team. The framework is developed to prioritise the satisfaction attributes of flexible number of construction clients and project participants, and enables the integration of these participants and their satisfaction attributes using mathematical and engineering techniques.

Findings

The framework can be applied at the different phases of the project life cycle. In addition, the satisfaction levels of construction clients and the project participants can be enhanced by focussing on the values of their satisfaction attributes and improving the integration of the project team.

Practical implications

The paper shows that a collaboration of construction clients and project participants based on the recognition and acknowledgement of each participant and their requirements is essential to improving project satisfaction in the construction sector.

Originality/value

The framework captures and analyzes the level of integrated project team satisfaction. The outcome of the study will improve understanding the satisfaction requirements of every client and participant represented in a given construction project team.
An entertaining robot prototype for pets
Authors: Liu Yanfei , Zhao Jiaxin , Dimitrov Ves , Irish Amanda , Jones Chad , Kirk Sean , Thomas Joseph , Welter David
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Robots come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from manipulators in the industrial assembly line, to house cleaners, and to carebots of the elderly and sick. In recent years entertaining robots have been developed to engage adults and children into playing and learning. There are however no robots that have been specifically designed to entertain pets. The purpose of this paper is to present a prototype developed to engage pets into outdoor playing.

Design/methodology/approach

A prototype that can engage a dog or a cat into playing was designed, built, and tested by a group of senior students. The enclosure of the prototype has the shape of a round shell. Within this shell there is a sensor interfacing unit, which can interpret sounds generated by the animals, and a light and sound system designed to interact with the animals.

Findings

The testing results showed that the prototype was able to fulfill requirements for outdoor playing, such as being waterproof and able to travel through grass. Testing of the individual sensor interfacing circuits demonstrated the interactive capability. Dogs were chosen to be the subjects to be entertained. However, it is envisioned that a smaller version of this prototype can be suitable for cats.

Originality/value

This is the first prototype that explores ways to entertain pets when their human owners are absent or busy. The prototype developed is a good start for any intelligent robotic systems specifically designed to entertain pets.
Problem‐solving techniques of growing very small businesses
Authors: Perks S.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the problems experienced and problem‐solving techniques of very small businesses during growth. Evidence shows that if managers can understand the potential for growth and the barriers in their own business path, they will be able to address the problems and achieve success. The purpose of the paper is therefore to provide guidelines to assist very small Black business entrepreneurs with overcoming growth problems, so to become sustainable.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach with a combination of content analysis and grounded theory was used in the paper. The sample was restricted to very small Black business entrepreneurs in the formal sector, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Snowball sampling was used where the first participant identified supplied the names of other possible participants and so forth till the sample size of ten very small Black business entrepreneurs was obtained. One of the very small businesses had two owners, and another had three owners (total of 13 participants). The researcher collected the data through five rounds of mostly unstructured, non‐directive and in‐depth individual interviews on the Black entrepreneurs' premises (65 personal interviews in total). Observations and on‐site experiences were also noted. Utilising the constant comparative method, the problems could be divided into four main themes: solvable, partially solved, solved and ongoing problems and then further divided into seven management functions. The synchronic reliability method was used and the triangulation method was used to ensure validity. Coding of data also ensured both reliability and validity.

Findings

Problems are mostly solved through experimental learning with human resource and financial problems as top priority training areas to assist growth. Many problems are computer related and some are personal such as stress management. Workshops or mentorship are indicated as possible ways of solving problems.

Practical implications

General guidelines in five functional areas and in general were provided as to how problems could be solved to assist with growing these very small businesses. These guidelines are based on the experiences of the very small entrepreneur and to a lesser extent to what literature suggests. Suggestions were practically executable taking into consideration the time, money and staff constraints of very small business entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The paper suggests guidelines and solutions for solving very small business growth problems.
The governance of fair trade social enterprises in Belgium
Authors: Huybrechts Benjamin
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the governance of “fair trade social enterprises” (FTSEs), i.e. the organisations exclusively dedicated to the import, distribution and/or labelling of fairly traded products. The aims are to describe and categorise the types of persons and stakeholder groups represented in FTSEs' governance structures and to look at the link between stakeholder involvement and other organisational features such as resources, goals and activities.

Design/methodology/approach

These questions are investigated through a qualitative field study based on face‐to‐face interviews with the managers of 15 Belgian FTSEs.

Findings

The paper distinguishes three governance models each entailing different governance paradigms: the managerial model, the volunteer‐based and the multi‐stakeholder models. In the three governance models, it is possible to link, to a certain extent, the composition of the governance structures, the access to resources and the goal priorities regarding the different dimensions of the FT activity. In brief, governance appears as an organisational entry revealing much information about the vision and the strategy of the FTSEs.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to Belgian FTSEs and must be considered as one of the first attempts in characterising the specific features and challenges of organisational governance in the FT context. International comparative studies exploring FTSE's governance in a more longitudinal perspective, combining the standpoints of diverse organisational actors, would be most welcome in the future.

Originality/value

As this paper shows, the multidimensional nature of FT and the coexistence of different types of FTSEs in the same country make this a very interesting field to investigate the challenges of governance in social enterprises. Social enterprises and those researching them should pay more attention to the importance of adopting and conceiving governance schemes that are adapted to their multiple missions and enable the access to multiple resources.
Complementary or alternative? The effects of corporate political strategy on innovation
Authors: Ozer Mine , Markóczy Lívia
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Drawing on the strategic choice and resource dependence perspectives, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between corporate political strategy and innovation in the manufacturing industry in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes two competing views on the relationship between corporate political strategy and innovation building on strategic choice and resource dependence perspectives.

Findings

The results show support for the resource dependence perspective, suggesting that corporate political strategy is complementary to innovation. The paper also tests for the moderating effects of firm characteristics such as firm size and financial resources, and industry characteristics such as industry concentration and growth on this relationship. The findings indicate that firms that invest heavily in innovation strategies may also want to consider investing in corporate political strategy to create favorable conditions for innovation.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that corporate political strategy can be viewed as alternative or complementary to innovation strategy. Firm characteristics such as firm size and financial resources, and industry characteristics such as industry concentration and growth, moderate the relationship between corporate political strategy and innovation.
Creating a world class business through a merger of two equals
Authors: O'Regan Nicholas , Ghobadian Abby
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, from a practical point‐of‐view, a number of key strategic issues that critically influence organisations' competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a semi‐structured interview with Mr Paul Walsh, CEO of Diageo. Diageo is a highly successful company and Mr Walsh has played a central role in making Diageo the number one branded drink company in the world.

Findings

The paper discusses the key attributes of successful merger, lessons from a complex cross boarder acquisition, rationale for strategic alliance with competitors, distinctive resources, and the role of corporate social responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

It is not too often that management scholars have the opportunity to discuss with the CEOs of large multinationals the rational of key strategic decisions. In this paper these issues are explored from the perspective of a CEO of a large and successful company. The lessons, while not generalisable, offer unique insights to students of management and management researchers.

Originality/value

The paper offers a bridge between theory and practice. It demonstrates that from Diageo's perspective the distinctive capabilities are intangible. It also offers insight into how to successfully execute strategic decision. In terms of originality it offers a view from the top, which is often missing from strategy research.
Six Sigma: a literature review
Authors: Tjahjono B. , Ball P. , Vitanov V.I. , Scorzafave C. , Nogueira J. , Calleja J. , Minguet M. , Narasimha L. , Rivas A. , Srivastava A. , Srivastava S. , Yadav A.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the work presented in this paper is to capture the current state of Six Sigma as well as to document the current practices of Six Sigma through a systematic literature review so as to extend and update the previous work of Brady and Allen.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach to this paper is to answer the questions such as “what is Six Sigma?”, “what are the applications of the Six Sigma?”, “what are the main enablers and barriers to its application?” and “what are the emerging trends?” These questions are used to guide the search of papers from various publication databases even if it is expected that existing literature might not be sufficiently developed to translate each question directly into a finding. The literature is then analysed and the major emerging themes are presented.

Findings

Seven key findings (topics on which the views of the authors converged) and two issues (topics on which authors had differing views) have been established. These include the interpretation of Six Sigma, tools and techniques, implementation of Six Sigma, benefits, adoption, enablers and links to other disciplines.

Originality/value

The systematic literature review approach used in this paper allows emerging trends and issues in Six Sigma to be highlighted in a structured and thematic manner, enabling the future work to progress as Six Sigma continues to develop and evolve. The findings also open up new opportunities to apply Six Sigma in the fields that are not widely explored before for instance sustainability and product‐service systems.
Decision support system and the adoption of lean in a Swedish emergency ward
Authors: Setijono Djoko , Mohajeri Naraghi Ashkan , Pavan Ravipati Uday
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Facilitated by a decision support system tool, the purpose of this paper is to find the “best” allocated number of surgeons and medicine doctors that reduce patients' non‐value‐added time (NVAT) and total time in the system (TTS).

Design/methodology/approach

Interview and observation are first conducted in order to get general insights about (and to understand) the emergency ward of Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg (Sweden) and its value stream (flow). Then, time‐related data are collected by conducting time measurements empirically and through the triage database. The statistics of the collected empirical data represent the initial state of the system and are utilised as the input of ARENA® simulation. A simulation scenario is designed by constructing a 3×3 table (= nine combinations) that contains a varying number of surgeons and medicine doctors allocated in the emergency ward. For each combination, 1,000 replications apply (=10 runs @ 100 replications). “Runs” are the cycles or how many times the simulation is executed, while “replications” refer to how many times a computer (automatically) repeats the simulation in a single execution. The simulation length of a single replication was set at 24 hours due to the fact that an emergency ward was always open. The selected feasible solution is the “best” combination of surgeons and medicine doctors that reduces the existing NVAT and TTS while ensuring that the resource utilisation is at a “reasonable” level (and did not exceed 100 per cent).

Findings

The simulation output indicates that the emergency ward may achieve considerable reduction in a patients' NVAT and total patients' time in the system by assigning three medicine doctors and three surgeons. This combination leads to (in average) 13 per cent reduction of NVAT while maintaining the TTS at approximately the same level.

Research limitations/implications

An expanded simulation model with a higher level of complexity and ability to accommodate, e.g. cost of care, flow/layout reconfiguration would be greatly needed and is of interest. It would also be relevant to add greater flexibility by assigning more parameters in the simulation model (other than medicine doctor and surgeon).

Originality/value

Simulation can be considered as a valuable decision‐support tool in the adoption of lean in healthcare due to its flexibility in the sense that it is able to show the output (outcome) of various scenarios before any actual change is made. The results of our study present another side of the adoption of lean thinking besides layoff.
A New Look at Cutaneous Features of Sjogren’s Syndrome
Authors: Abrishami P.
Published: August 2010

A 37‐year‐old woman with diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) presented with asymptomatic non‐palpable purpura of the lower extremities. Biopsy of a purpuric macule revealed a perivascular and focally nodular lymphocytic infiltrate with large numbers of plasma cells, seemingly around eccrine glands. There was no vasculitis. The histologic findings in the skin were strikingly similar to those of salivary, parotid, and other “secretory” glands affected in SS. The cutaneous manifestations of SS highlighted in textbooks include xerosis, annular erythema, small‐vessel vasculitis, and pigmented purpura. This case illustrates that purpura in skin of patients with SS may be caused by a peri‐eccrine plasma‐rich infiltrate. The link between hypergammaglobulinemia, auto antibodies, plasma cells infiltration, and development of extranodal B‐cell lymphoma in SS remains to be elucidated.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Cutaneous Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Bhattacharjee P. , Lazova R.
Published: August 2010

Immunohistochemistry plays a vital role in distinguishing cutaneous leiomyosarcoma (CLMS) from other spindle cell neoplasms. Recently, several new immunohistochemical markers of smooth muscle differentiation (calponin, h‐caldesmon) have shown greater utility in the diagnosis of CLMS. We compared the expression of various traditional and novel immunohistochemical markers in CLMS. Thirteen cases of CLMS were immunostained with a panel of antibodies (SMA, MSA, desmin, vimentin, S100, cytokeratin, NSE, HMB‐45, CD117, procollagen, h‐caldesmon and calponin. Immunostaining was graded from 0 to 4+ based on the percentage of positive staining. All 13 cases of CLMS showed positive staining with SMA, MSA and h‐caldesmon. 12 cases showed positive staining with desmin, calponin, vimentin and NSE. 8 cases showed positive staining with CD117 and procollagen. 4 and 3 cases showed focal positive staining for S100 and cytokeratin. All cases were HMB‐45 negative. All 13 cases exhibited greater than 50% staining with SMA and MSA. 11 cases were strongly positive (>50%) for calponin and h‐caldesmon, while only 8 cases were strongly positive for desmin. Our study finds no significant difference between traditional and novel smooth muscle immunostains. We conclude that a panel of immunohistochemical stains should be employed to differentiate CLMS from other spindle cell neoplasms.
Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Presenting in Association with a Spindle Cell Sarcoma of the Heart. A Paraneoplastic Syndrome?
Authors: Braman M. , Santmyire‐Rosenberger B. , Dugan E. , Brun E. , Wang Z.
Published: August 2010

The rare coexistence of vasculitis and malignancy is intriguing, if not completely understood. Overall, malignancy is found in approximately 5% of patients who present with vasculitis. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is reported as a paraneoplastic event primarily in association with hematologic malignancies. Rarely, LCV has occurred concomitant with solid tumors, including sarcomas. We report a case of a 62‐year‐old African American woman who presented with LCV in association with an occult cardiac sarcoma. Past medical history includes left sided breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation. She presented with worsening of a persistent, non‐pruritic rash involving her lower extremities, diagnosed as LCV on skin biopsy. Within four months she developed congestive heart failure, and a right ventricular mass was identified. Heart biopsies revealed a high grade cardiac sarcoma. Within 2–3 days, she experienced an exacerbation of her vasculitis, accompanied by hemorrhagic bullae. Vasculitis is considered to be a paraneoplastic syndrome if a temporal relationship can be established with a co‐existing malignancy. Here, a clear cut temporal relationship between coexistence, and intervention related exacerbation, is well documented. Temporal exacerbation of the LCV after cardiac biopsies suggests activation of the immune system in response to antigenic determinants within the cardiac tumor.
Activation of SRC Tyrosine Kinases Within the Spectrum of Keratinocytic Neoplasia.
Authors: Brown Tamu T. , Elenitsas Rosalie , Seykora John T.
Published: August 2010

The Src‐family tyrosine kinases are modulators of growth‐regulatory signals within keratinocytes. The relationship between Src kinases and epidermal neoplasia is unexplored in human biopsies. Keratinocytes express 3 Src kinases: Src, Fyn, Yes. Activation of these kinases corresponds to tyrosine phosphorylationÂ near the active site, tyrosine 416 of human Src. This study compared the levels of total Src‐kinase protein and activated Src kinases within a spectrum of lesions ranging from actinic keratoses (AKs) to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). An antibody that recognizes an epitope in Src, Fyn, and Yes revealed the total level of Src kinase protein; an antibody specific for the phosphoryated active site tyrosine determined the level of Src kinase activation. The level of Src‐kinase expression and activated Src kinases was evaluated in paraffin imbedded sections of AKs, SCC in‐situ (SCIS), and SCC containing adjacent unremarkable epidermis. The total level of Src kinase protein in lesions was similar to unremarkable epidermis. The level of Src kinase activation was elevated within approximately one‐third of AKs and SCIS, but was increased in over 80% of SCCs. These results demonstrate Src kinases are activated in epidermal neoplasia, and that increased Src kinase activity is associated with the transition from SCIS to SCC.
Photoprovocation in the Patients with an EBV Associated Hydroa Vacciniforme‐Like Eruption
Authors: Cho KH , Li K , Jeon YK , Kim CW
Published: August 2010

There are many reports of patients with a severe hydroa vacciniforme (HV)‐like eruption. The cutaneous lesions occur both in sun‐exposed and nonexposed areas in these patients unlike a true HV. In most cases, a latent Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection has been detected in the skin lesions of these patients. We performed the photo‐provocation test in five patients with an EBV associated HV‐like eruption. The photoprovocation tests were caried out using the UVA delivered by a SUPUVASUN 3000 light source. A 5x 5 sqaure cm area on the buttock was irradiated three or four times at 24 hour intervals. A skin biopsy was obtained from the lesional skin and photo‐provoked lesion in all five patients. H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining were performed. In situ hybridization was also performed to detect mRNA for EBV in the skin biopsy specimens. Skin lesions were induced by repetitive UVA exposure in all five patients. The severity of the phtoprovoked lesion showed correlation with that of the clinical features. The immunohistologic findings of photo‐provoked skin lesions were similar to those of original skin lesions. A latent EBV infection was also demonstrated in the photo‐provoked lesion.
BRAF V599E Mutation is Not Age Dependent: It is Present in Common Melanocytic Nevi in Both Children and Adults
Authors: Cohen J. , Gill M. , Renwick N. , Silvers D. N. , Celebi J. T.
Published: August 2010

BRAF encodes a serine‐threonine kinase, which acts in the RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway transducing regulatory signals from RAS to MEK1/2. Somatic mutations in BRAF have been identified in 53–80% of primary melanomas and 70–90% of common melanocytic nevi. More than 90% of these mutations consist of a valine to glutamate substitution at codon 599 (V599E) of exon 15. While a high prevalence of BRAF mutations in common melanocytic nevi has been reported in adults, nevi in children have not been studied. Of interest, we have previously shown that Spitz nevi in children do not harbor mutations in BRAF. To investigate the association of BRAF mutations with patient age, we studied common melanocytic nevi in children for the V599E activating mutation. Tumor cells were microdissected from 6 common melanocytic nevi in children 10 years of age or younger, and analyzed for the V599E mutation in BRAF by allele‐specific PCR and gel electrophoresis. In 6 of 6 (100%) nevi, the V599E mutant allele was observed. Our data suggest that similar genetic pathways are involved in the development of common melanocytic nevi in children and adults. The absence of BRAF mutations in Spitz nevi in children is therefore associated with tumor type, not patient age.
Cutaneous Solitary Fibrous Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential
Authors: Shapiro B. , Cotton1 J. , Billings S.
Published: August 2010

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that typically arises in the pleural cavity but may also be seen at extra‐pleural sites including liver, lung, thymus, orbit, soft tissue, and rarely the skin. The diagnosis of cutaneous SFT is challenging due to its histologic variability and lack of distinctive immunophenotype. We report a case of SFT with unusual histologic and immunophenotypic findings. A 23‐year‐old man presented with a two‐year history of a painful, enlarging scalp mass. Histologic examination revealed a variably cellular neoplasm composed of tumor cells with uniform oval nuclei embedded in a collagenous matrix. In areas there was a prominent hemangiopericytoma‐like vasculature. The tumor was strongly immunoreactive for CD34 and had some immunoreactivity for S100. The diagnosis of SFT was rendered based upon the histologic features and strong immunoreactivity for CD34. Immunoreactivity for S100 is rarely seen in SFT. The tumor had a mitotic rate of 8/50 hpf. Mitotic rates greater than 5/50 hpf have been associated with aggressive behavior in SFTs of soft tissue. The significance of aggressive histologic attributes with clinical outcome is yet to be determined in cutaneous SFT. Cutaneous SFTs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of superficial spindle cell tumors.
Decreased Expression of Srcasm in Actinic Keratoses and Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Dans Michael J. , Elenitsas Rosalie , Seykora John T.
Published: August 2010

Srcasm, a Src activating and signaling molecule, is a recently discovered substrate of the Src family kinase, Fyn. Although Srcasm can bind downstream signaling molecules, such as Grb2 and the p85 subunit of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase, the physiologic role of Srcasm is unknown. Because Fyn is believed to promote keratinocyte differentiation, we hypothesized that Srcasm may also promote keratinocyte differentiation and, thus, antagonize squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) formation. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine if Srcasm expression was decreased in SCC’s and actinic keratoses (AK). Using immunohistochemisty with a polyclonal affinity‐purified anti‐Srcasm antibody, we evaluated the expression of Srcasm in parafin imbedded sections of AK, SCC in‐situ (SCIS), and SCC from up to 15 different patients each. The expression of Srcasm in these lesions was compared to normal peri‐lesional skin of the same biopsy specimen or normal skin from separate biopsies. We found that Srcasm expression was decreased in approximately 50% of the AK and SCC‐IS samples and in over 90% of the SCC samples. This increased prevalence of Srcasm downregulation from pre‐malignant to less differentiated malignant lesions, supports our hypothesis that Srcasm, by functioning downstream of Fyn, may promote keratinocyte differentiation.
Anti‐TNF‐Alpha Antibody Induced Interstitial Granulomatous Dermatitis
Authors: Deng April , Sina Bahram , Strobel David , Gaspari Anthony
Published: August 2010

With the advance of our knowledge and understanding of the molecular basis of the immune system and inflammatory process, biological modulators, such as anti‐TNF‐alpha antibodies, are increasingly used in the treatment of immune disorders and hematogenous neoplasm. Side effects of those biological modulators, such as leukocytoclastic vasculitis, lichenoid drug reaction, acute folliculitis, and superficial granuloma annulare, have been reported. Recently, we encountered two patients who developed interstitial granulomatous drug reaction while receiving anti‐TNF‐alpha antibodies. The patients, a 48 year‐old male and a 54 year‐old female, both have severe rheumatoid arthritis and responded poorly to conventional therapies, received Remicade (Infliximab). Pruritic erythematous skin eruptions developed on the trunk and extremities one month after starting the therapy. The lesions are multiple irritated papules and plaques; some are targetoid, measuring several centimeters, with raised borders. Skin biopsies showed an interstitial granulomatous infiltrate in the mid‐ and deep dermis. The infiltrate is composed of lymphocytes, histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells, and eosinophils, palisade around degenerating collagen. Pathological diagnosis was drug‐induced interstitial granulomatous dermatitis. Discontinuation of Remicade led to resolution of the skin lesions in both patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a drug eruption caused by anti‐TNF‐alpha antibodies.
Primary Sezary Syndrome Commonly Involves Skin Without Epidermotropism
Authors: Diwan A. H. , Prieto V. G. , Herling M. , Duvic M. , Jones D.
Published: August 2010

Sezary syndrome (SS) is a T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder involving the blood, skin and lymph nodes associated with erythroderma. Other cutaneous manifestations of SS include palmoplantar keratoderma, ectropion, and alopecia. Two clinical patterns of SS can be defined: “secondary” SS arising from systemic spread of long‐standing mycosis fungoides (MF) and “primary” SS with a much shorter prodromal phase characterized by pruritus, xerosis and scaling culminating in erythroderma. Most previous studies examining the histological features of SS have not distinguished between these two different clinical patterns, and have emphasized that the histological features of SS mostly resemble those of typical MF, including epidermotropism and/or band‐like superficial dermal lymphoid infiltrates. In this study, we have concentrated on the histological findings of primary SS and correlated them with the clinical and hematologic parameters at the time of skin biopsy. We note that dermal perivascular lymphoid infiltrates predominate in a majority of primary SS cases, raising the differential diagnosis of benign dermatoses, rather than resembling the classical pattern of MF. This impression is further complicated by commonly observed epidermal changes such as spongiosis, acanthosis and parakeratosis that are likely secondary to tumor‐associated pruritus and secondary lichenification.
Penicillamine‐Induced Panniculitis with Lipomembranous Fat Necrosis
Authors: Donohue K. , Nori S. , Wilkel C. , Falanga V. , Badiavas E.
Published: August 2010

A 43‐year‐old female with progressive systemic sclerosis developed painful subcutaneous nodules proximally on her extremities which spread distally to her shins. Initially tender, they became red and evolved to painless, red‐brown nodules. She had been taking penicillamine for 19 months and was on no other medication or supplements. History and physical exam revealed no evidence of infection, trauma, injection, or significant travel. Incisional biopsy of an acute nodule demonstrated septal panniculitis, with extensive lipomembranous change, and an associated brisk granulomatous infiltrate with multinucleated foreign‐body like giant cells. Deeper adipose tissue demonstrated fibrosed thickened septae with an inflammatory cell infiltrate, consistent with scleroderma profundus. Further studies revealed no infectious organisms, or refractile material. The lesions cleared 3 weeks after stopping penicillamine. She declined a re‐challenge and has been disease free for a year. Lipomembranous fat changes are identified in about 5% of subcutaneous inflammatory disorders; most frequently in venous insufficiency, and also with morphea, lupus pannicultis, erythema nodosum, necrobiosis lipoidica and trauma. Panniculitis with lipomembranous fat changes similar to this case has been reported in a patient with systemic sclerosis on norethisterone acetate. This is a rare and interesting case of penicillamine‐induced panniculitis.
Acid‐Orcein Giemsa: A Multifunctional Stain
Authors: Drozdowski B. , Mehregan D.A.
Published: August 2010

The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain is the most common method used worldwide for routine pathologic evaluation of tissue specimens. Evaluation of cutaneous specimens frequently requires differentiation of elastic fibers, melanin, hemosiderin, fungal elements, mast cells and depositions. For this reason, we used acid‐orcein and Giemsa (AOG) stain to evaluate various skin disorders to determine the extent of utility of this infrequently reported stain. As expected, AOG stain functioned well as an elastic fiber stain, highlighting loss of elastic fibers in areas of scar and in disorders such as anetoderma. In pigmentary disorders, AOG stains melanin a dark green to greenish‐black pigment while hemosiderin remained yellow‐brown to light green color. Fungal hyphae in superficial dermatophytosis and leishmania organisms stained a deep blue. Amyloid stained a “sky” blue color in macular, lichenoid and nodular amyloid cases. The granules of mast cells stain purple in cases of urticaria pigmentosa and mastocytomas. Dermal mucin stained metachromatic lavender. Due to the multifunctional nature of the AOG stain, this simple technique can improve dermatopathologic diagnosis while decreasing the number of special stains necessary to have available in the laboratory setting.
Evaluation of Nuclear Outline with Fractal Morphometry to Differentiate Skin Tumors
Authors: Elgart GW , Welsh E , Badiavas EV
Published: August 2010

Nuclear details are sufficient to differentiate tumors of many types as evidenced by the widespread and successful use of cytology. While cytology examinations are generally optimized to identify the nuclear and morphological characteristics of cell preparations and aspirates, tissue samples are optimized to emphasize the cellular details. Recent studies have validated fractal morphometry for nuclear analysis in cytology. We evaluated the use of nuclear detail analysis employing fractal morphometric analysis in cutaneous tumors to differentiate common and uncommon skin tumors.