Search

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the most common malignant skin tumour in cats and the nature of the molecular mechanisms involved is poorly defined. Included among the molecular mechanisms in human and canine CSCCs is altered expression of E-cadherin/β-catenin. This study aimed to explore the immunohistochemical expression pattern of E-cadherin and β-catenin in 43 samples of feline CSCC by using a tissue microarray to elucidate whether expression of these molecules is dysregulated. Membrane expression of E-cadherin and membrane and cytoplasmic expression of β-catenin were significantly reduced in the CSCCs. Cytoplasmic expression of E-cadherin and nuclear expression of β-catenin were also found in some CSCCs. These findings indicate that altered expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin is a frequent event in feline CSCCs, suggesting that these molecules play an important role in acquisition of the malignant phenotype in feline patients with CSCC. The results also suggest the existence of a subpopulation of feline patients with CSCC in which the Wnt pathway may contribute to epidermal carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As today the 137Cs fallout peak, in sediment cores, corresponds only to 25% of its initial concentration, alternatives to the use of 137Cs as a210Pb sediment dating validation tool are proposed. In highly industrialized bays, such as Guanabara Bay in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region, several chemical/compounds from the surrounding industry releases may be applied as validation tools. Chromium and copper profiles in a sediment core adequately fit the expected pattern due to the implementation of a chemical plant in 1958, reaching their maximum discharge in 1982 and subsequently decreasing due to the operation of a new wastewater treatment plant. A diffuse source such, as the PCB-based mixture Askarel, was also applied as an alternative validation tool, and the observed concentration profile reproduced the expected behavior, with increasing concentration after the Second World War and a decrease after the ban of this product in 1981. The observed Aroclor 1254 and 1260 mixture chlorination rates fit the most widely distributed PCB-based products in the country. • Alternatives for 210Pb sediment dating validation are suggested. • Chromium and zinc profile reflected the changes on a chemical industry. • PCB profile was compatible with the historical Askarel application in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A main scientific and technical challenge facing the implementation of new and sustainable energy sources is the development and improvement of materials and components. In order to provide commercial viability of these applications, an intensive research in material-hydrogen (H) interaction is required. This work provides an overview of recently developed in-situ and in-operando H-charging methods and their applicability to investigate mechanical properties, H-absorption characteristics and H embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of a wide range of materials employed in H-related technologies, such as subsea oil and gas applications, nuclear fusion and fuel cells. • In-situ and in-operando methods were reviewed for studying material-H interaction. • Fundamental models of the H charging mechanisms are discussed. • Potential benefits for small scale testing for energy related material development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically relevant epidermal tumours in dogs include cutaneous papillomas (CPs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCCs). The development of CPs and CSCCs involves dysregulation in expression of E-cadherin/β-catenin; however, knowledge about the contribution of these molecules to epidermal tumourigenesis in dogs is limited. This study examined the immunohistochemical expression pattern of E-cadherin/β-catenin in samples of normal canine epidermis, CPs, preneoplastic epidermis and CSCCs, using tissue microarrays, in order to elucidate whether the dysregulated expression of these molecules may contribute to the pathogenesis of clinically relevant epidermal tumours in dogs. We also investigated the correlation between the immunohistochemical expression pattern of E-cadherin/β-catenin in these tissue microarrays to further evaluate whether the disruption of the adherens junction interactions plays a relevant role in canine epidermal tumourigenesis. In samples of CP and preneoplastic epidermis, the membrane immunoreactivity of E-cadherin/β-catenin was conserved, while in CSCC, the immunoreactivity of these molecules was significantly reduced, independently of the tumour location. There was significant correlation between the membrane expression of E-cadherin/β-catenin in CSCC. β-catenin also showed cytoplasmic and nuclear expression in samples of CP, preneoplastic epidermis and CSCC. These results support the hypothesis that dysregulated expression of E-cadherin/β-catenin may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of relevant canine epidermal tumours, not only due to the disruption of the intercellular adherens junctions, but also due to the dysregulated activity of the signalling pathways in which these molecules are involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosis of early invasive breast cancer relies on radiology and clinical evaluation, supplemented by biopsy confirmation. At least three issues burden this approach: a) suboptimal sensitivity and suboptimal positive predictive power of radiology screening and diagnostic approaches, respectively; b) invasiveness of biopsy with discomfort for women undergoing diagnostic tests; c) long turnaround time for recall tests. In the screening setting, radiology sensitivity is suboptimal, and when a suspicious lesion is detected and a biopsy is recommended, the positive predictive value of radiology is modest. Recent technological advances in medical imaging, especially in the field of artificial intelligence applied to image analysis, hold promise in addressing clinical challenges in cancer detection, assessment of treatment response, and monitoring disease progression. Radiomics include feature extraction from clinical images; these features are related to tumor size, shape, intensity, and texture, collectively providing comprehensive tumor characterization, the so-called radiomics signature of the tumor. Radiomics is based on the hypothesis that extracted quantitative data derives from mechanisms occurring at genetic and molecular levels. In this article we focus on the role and potential of radiomics in breast cancer diagnosis and prognostication. • In the screening setting, radiology sensitivity is suboptimal. • Artificial intelligence hold promise in cancer diagnosis and prognostication. • Radiomics include feature extraction from clinical images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular mechanisms contributing to the development of cutaneous papillomas (CPs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCCs) are still poorly understood, limiting the ability to identify molecular suitable targets for the development of novel therapies. Persistent activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is a component of epidermal carcinogenesis in dogs. The present study describes the immunohistochemical expression pattern of two key regulatory molecules involved in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR)Tyr1068 and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), in samples of normal canine epidermis, CP, preneoplastic epidermis and CSCC using tissue microarrays to determine whether the deregulated activity of these molecules is involved in the pathogenesis of these relevant epidermal tumours of dogs. Expression of pEGFR and PTEN was dysregulated in most samples of CP, preneoplastic epidermis and CSCC. Overexpression of pEGFR, together with decreased expression of PTEN, may facilitate the progression of some canine CPs and CSCCs by deregulation of the key cellular functions in which the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway is involved. These findings suggest that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling molecules may be potential therapeutic targets for canine patients with CP and CSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Selected molecules of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway have a low expression in the normal canine epidermis. • The key proteins involved in the mTOR pathway are dysregulated during epidermal carcinogenesis in dogs. • These findings point to the mTOR pathway as a potential therapeutic target in canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. Abstract Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) represents one of the most common malignant skin tumors in dogs. Research aimed at clarifying how the deregulated activity of signalling pathways contributes to cSCC progression can help to identify molecular suitable targets for the development of novel therapies. The present study describes the immunohistochemical expression pattern of two proteins (pAktSer473 and pS6Ser235/236, the latter combined with Ki-67) involved in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway in canine specimens of normal epidermis, pre-neoplastic epidermis, and cSCC using tissue microarrays. The results suggest that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway has a low expression in the normal canine epidermis, and that selected molecules involved in this signalling pathway are dysregulated during the canine epidermal carcinogenesis process. These findings provide important evidence that the persistent activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway represents one of the key events during cSCC progression in canine patients, pointing to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway as a potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work studies the surface characteristics and, particularly, the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) behavior of austempered ductile iron (ADI) samples coated with TiN based coatings of about 1 μm in thickness. Films synthesized by cathodic arc deposition (CAD) at a fixed nitrogen flow, compositional gradient films synthesized by CAD at a variable nitrogen flow and plasma based ion implanted and deposited (PBIID) films were comparatively analyzed. The results indicated that CAD films showed a strong TiN (111) preferred orientation while PBIID films a more randomly orientation. The crystallite size of CAD films was more than the double of PBIID films. Residual stresses of the PBIID films were lower than those of CAD films, the lowest hardness and elastic modulus were obtained for CAD films grown at variable nitrogen flow, while no significant differences in roughness, H/E ratio and adhesion were observed among the different films. Regarding RCF tests, failures in samples coated with TiN at constant flow were characterized by a progressive coating delamination followed by the formation of fatigue spalls inside the delaminated areas. Failures in samples coated with PBIID and gradient TiN were characterized by the formation of fatigue spalls with slight coating delamination. There were no significant differences between the RCF resistance of uncoated ADI and the samples with CAD films while the samples with PBIID films had a noticeably higher resistance. The better performance could be associated with the low compressive residual stresses and the fine grained microstructure induced by the PBIID process. Highlights • Cathodic arc deposited (CAD) films synthesized at variable and constant nitrogen flows. • Constant-flow CAD films delaminated during rolling contact fatigue (RCF) tests. • Neither variable-flow CAD nor ion-implanted/deposited films delaminated during RCF tests. • RCF behavior of austempered ductile iron was not modified by CAD. • RCF endurance of austempered ductile iron increased by ion-implanted/deposited films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Walls with opening present less displacement capacity. • Limit compressive strain can provide safe design of walls with openings. • Flexural model can predict response of walls with openings. • Slabs improve displacement capacity of walls with openings. Abstract According to Chilean design practice, walls usually have complex geometries and discontinuities in height, mainly in the first story. However, the Chilean design code, similar to many design codes, does not provide special provisions for discontinuities. This paper shows the results of an experimental and numerical study of walls with a central opening at the base. Four slender walls are constructed with the same general dimensions, but with different shapes of the opening (15% and 30% of the length, and 11% and 22% of the wall height). The specimens were tested under constant axial load, while cyclic lateral loading is applied at the top. One of the specimens presents slab elements at the base. Results indicate that lateral strength is similar in all cases; however, displacement capacity varies with opening size. All specimens with openings have less ductility, where the specimen with wider and taller opening had a reduced displacement capacity (∼30% reduction). The width of the opening was more influential than the height in the displacement capacity. Numerical analysis was done through a finite element modeling, where one of the models considered all features of the formulation and a second model considered rigid beams placed in all levels forcing the Bernoulli hypothesis (flexural model). Both models can capture strength, stiffness and displacement capacity, and therefore a flexural model can be used for boundary detailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Walls with setback present damage localization. • Plastic hinge is bounded by the setback. • Continuous wall side presents tensile strain distribution consistent with rectangular wall. • Reinforcing longitudinal bars need proper anchorage in discontinuous locations. Abstract After the 2010 Maule, Chile, earthquake (Mw 8.8), several reinforced concrete (RC) buildings presented damage in some walls (crushing of concrete, buckling and fracture of steel reinforcement). These buildings had been designed according to the up-to-date seismic standards in the country and were not expected to suffer damage as severe as what was observed. Common features of the damaged walls were: little or no confinement at the wall ends; relatively high axial load; narrow thicknesses (below 200 mm); and discontinuities in height. Slender RC walls are often used in Chile and commonly, due to architectural constraints, the length of the walls changes between floors designated for parking use and the upper floors, creating a setback in the lower levels. These types of walls are commonly called "flag walls". The problem of discontinuity has not been investigated experimentally and therefore it is necessary to observe its impact in RC walls. Four structural wall specimens were designed, one with no discontinuity and the other three with different sizes of the setback. They were tested under a nominal constant axial load of 0.1f'cAg and cyclic lateral loads increasing at specific drift levels. Conventional instrumentation and photogrammetry were used to monitor the tests. The experimental results show that the impact of the setback, for the sizes tested, is not significant for the strength but it is relevant for the strength degradation and deformation capacity. Strains in the extreme fibers, curvature and principal strains are studied using photogrammetry. It is found that the plastic hinge length increases with drift, but it remains constrained to the setback region. Another discontinuity is found around the reinforcement of the setback where large concentration of strains can cause premature failure of the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research develops a 3D macroscopic model to capture the shear and flexural behavior of square and rectangular reinforced concrete columns under biaxial lateral loads. This efficient-shear-flexure-interaction (E-SFI)–BIAXIAL model, based on the E-SFI two-dimensional macro model, reformulates the materials and elements to a 3D domain. Reinforced concrete prisms with three-dimensional behavior are incorporated using a rotating-angle approach and calibrated expression of the two-dimensional model to calculate the horizontal strain in each orthogonal direction (ɛ x and ɛ z). This approach reduces the number of iterative processes and analysis time. Model validation employed an extensive database of 56 reinforced concrete column tests with shear failure under cyclic biaxial loading conditions, 41 square and 15 rectangular, as reported in the literature. The validation demonstrated that the model accurately captures the hysteretic response and shear failure mode of the tests. The results are verified against the experimental data regarding the load–displacement response and the contribution of flexural and shear displacements. The model's estimated shear strength agreed well with experimental data, with average ratios of measured to calculated maximum shear strength of 0.91 and 0.95 for square and rectangular columns with coefficients of variation of 0.078 and 0.12, respectively. The onset of strength degradation was also compared, achieving average ratios of the measured to calculated drift for square and rectangular columns of 1.02 in both cases, with coefficients of variation of 0.32 and 0.4, respectively. Furthermore, the normalized biaxial shear strength results from the experimental tests and the model fit the circular interaction curve and validate the proposed ACI 318-19 code provisions to capture the biaxial shear effect through a trilinear curve. • Shear strength of square and rectangular RC columns under biaxial lateral loads. • Nonlinear and coupled shear–flexure analytical response of square and rectangular RC columns. • Evaluation of the ACI 318-19 proposal to consider simultaneous lateral loads. • Nonlinear model for RC columns with a 3D material and element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination is ubiquitous and comprises a significant worldwide concern in ecological and Public Health frameworks. Many aquatic biota representatives have been reported as contaminated by these toxic compounds, including one of the most threatened vertebrate groups, elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). Although elasmobranchs play important ecological roles and provide significant ecosystem services, they are highly consumed and comprise a cheap source of protein for humans globally. Studies concerning elasmobranch PAH contamination are, however, notably lacking. A systematic review was, thus, conducted herein to assess PAH elasmobranch contamination and discuss potential human health risks following the Preferred Reporting Item Statement Guidelines for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines applying the Population (P), Intervention (I), Comparison I, and Outcome (O) (PICO) strategy. A total of 86 published papers were retrieved by this method and analyzed. Only nine studies of this total concerned PAH elasmobranch contamination, assessed in 10 shark species and one ray species, with only one study calculating human health risks. A significant knowledge gap is, thus, noted for this subject, indicating the need to monitor PAH elasmobranch contamination in consumed shark and ray species worldwide. • PAH contamination in elasmobranchs is poorly studied. • Human health risks from elasmobranch PAH contamination are mostly neglected. • A systematic literature review retrieved 86 studies on fish PAH contamination. • Only nine concerned elasmobranchs, and only one calculated human health risks. • Efforts to monitor PAH contamination in elasmobranchs are clearly paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea turtles are affected by pollutants worldwide, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected in different types of samples and at high levels in some cases. The present study brings concentrations of 37 PAHs in liver samples of 17 green turtles Chelonia mydas stranded in northeastern Brazil [four with cutaneous tumors of fibropapillomatosis (FP), being classified as FP+]. Six PAHs were detected in 100% of the liver samples, and all alkylated PAHs were frequently quantified. High levels of phenanthrene (771.20 and 794.43 ng g−1 d.w.) and fluorene (1882.36 ng g−1 d.w.) were found in three females FP- (without FP cutaneous tumors). On the other hand, one green turtle FP+ had the higher level of naphthalene (531.70 ng g−1 d.w.), compound detected in 82.35 % of the samples. Our study brings additional baseline of organic pollutants in green turtles, improving knowledge on bioaccumulation of these compounds in sea turtles. • Six PAHs were detected in 100 % of liver samples of 17 stranded green turtles. • Specimens analyzed including those with and without fibropapillomatosis (FP). • All monitored alkylated PAHs were frequently quantified. • High levels of phenanthrene and fluorene were found in three females without FP. • One green turtle with FP had the higher level of naphthalene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model capable of predicting the shear response of beam-column joints subjected to seismic actions is presented. The analytical model, originally developed for walls and based on a simple physical formulation, is adapted. It considers mean stress and strain fields based on a reinforced concrete panel representing the joint, under the assumption that the principal concrete stress and principal strain directions coincide. Simple constitutive material laws are considered for concrete and steel. To estimate the shear capacity, the model satisfies the equilibrium in the longitudinal (vertical) direction. In order to analyze the accuracy of the model, a database integrated by 92 tests of exterior and interior beam-column joints is collected from the literature. Noting that the original model does not consider the effect of confinement product of adjacent elements to the connection, this effect is introduced through factors that reduce the values of the longitudinal and transverse strain used to calibrate the angle of the strut. In addition, the contribution of the transverse reinforcement in the capacity of the element is included. These modifications together with the influence of the boundary reinforcement, yields a good strength estimate for exterior and interior joints that fail in shear. When comparing with other models from the literature, it is observed that the proposed model provides one of the best correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity of structural systems subjected to shear loads commonly distinguished by discontinuities such as point loads or supports, or abrupt changes of cross section, where complex fields of stresses and strains are generated, is vital information for design. Four structural systems that present stress concentration due to applied shear loads are commonly short walls, deep beams, corbels and beam-column joints. In the present work a model is developed to predict the shear capacity of these elements based on a panel model that considers average strain and stresses in a reinforced concrete orthotropic material, which covers the section of the structural element subjected to stress concentration. In addition, the panel element complies with the longitudinal equilibrium, by equalizing the applied axial load with the internal stresses of the structural element, requiring constitutive material laws for both concrete and steel reinforcement. The original model that has shown good shear strength prediction requires solving the non-linear equation of vertical equilibrium. Thus, this work eliminates the need to solve the iterative problem for the capacity estimation of four possible limit states (failure of concrete in tension and compression, and yielding of longitudinal web and boundary reinforcement). For that, an expression is calibrated for the strain of the model with respect to relevant parameters, for each limit state, that allow the generation of a non-iterative model. The model results in an average predicted capacity over experimental capacity ratio, V model / V test , of 1.0 and a COV of 0.25, with similar performance for all four structural systems. When comparing these results with the general model that requires an iterative method, a similar performance is observed, with an average strength ratio and COV of 0.98 and 0.23, respectively. Likewise, in comparison with the ACI 318, the latter shows worse predictions (on average 24% lower) and with greater scatter (on average 28% higher). The expression in AASHTO code presents better correlation than ACI with predictions closer the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work evaluates experimentally the use of steel or polypropylene fibers in shotcrete as a partial replacement for the traditional reinforcement of electrowelded mesh used at the tunnel support for the subway in Santiago (Chile). For the experimental part, 8 tests were performed on section-scaled (1:2) slender (half-span to depth ratio a/d ∼ 5) specimens under transversal (flexure and shear) and axial loads (0.02f′ c A g and 0.07f′ c A g ) and with different reinforcements layout; and another 4 tests of similar specimens, but with low half-span to depth ratio (a/d ∼ 1.5). The section includes welded mesh (one face), a central reticulated frame and a plane shotcrete with a welded mesh (opposite face) or reinforced shotcrete (steel or polypropylene). The results showed a very important contribution of the reticulated frame in flexion (main internal reinforcement) and a modest contribution of the welded mesh and fibers. A two-dimensional finite element modeling of the tunnel-ground system using OpenSees is also performed using calibrated models for the tunnel section based on the experimental part. The soil is modeled with 9-node quadrilateral elements, the lining is modeled with beam-column elements with fiber sections, and the interaction between the lining and the soil is modeled by the Winkler approach without tension in the direction normal to the contact surface and with perfect adherence in the tangential direction. The model is subjected to the static loads from the excavation, modeled considering the constructive sequence of the tunnel using the α method, and then to a seismic analysis by means of the shear wave method (distortion). The results show that the safety factors implicit in the traditional design are high, implying that the structure remains elastic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to analyze the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in populations of the shellfish Anomalocardia brasiliana and oysters Crassostrea rhizophorae three years after the 2019 oil spill, as well as evaluate histopathological changes on the gill tissues of the bivalves. Individuals of both species were sampled at points along the northern and southern coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. The permanence of oil residues was confirmed, evidenced by the total concentration of PAHs in the shellfish from the northern coast, which was roughly four times higher than the southern one. Among the PAHs analyzed, the low molecular weight compounds naphthalene and anthracene were the main contributors to the total concentration. Histological changes in the gills of the bivalves, were more severe in the specimens sampled on the north coast indicating alterations in the bivalve's health, mainly on the state's northern coast. • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations decreased after three years on the Pernambuco coast; • Low molecular weight PAHs naphthalene and anthracene persisted on the wet tissues of the bivalves; • Histological changes in the gills of the bivalves were more severe in the northern Pernambuco coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified in harbors sediments from SE Brazil. The aims were to (i) compare harbors with distinct sizes and under the influence of different environmental pressures with respect to the sources and level of hydrocarbon contamination and (ii) evaluate the potential of adverse biological effects of sediment contamination by PAHs, based on sediment quality guidelines and toxicity equivalence quotient. The concentrations of total aliphatics (39.9 μg g − 1 ; 22.9–113 μg g − 1 ) and total PAHs (727 ng g − 1 ; 366–1760 ng g − 1 ) varied according to the size of and urban development around each harbor. Mixed contamination by petrogenic and pyrolytic hydrocarbons, and input of biogenic compounds, indicated the influence of both harbor activities and a myriad of urban, industrial and atmospheric inputs. The quality of sediment poses a risk to benthic biological communities, and, if dredged, this material may cause environmental damage in the waste disposal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of multigroup neutron cross-section libraries is a key issue of the multigroup transport calculations in reactor physics. The correct choice of the boundaries of the energy groups, in particular, is decisive for obtaining reliable results. Knowledge of the reactor physics, general and specific of the studied reactor, along with long and refined analyses are required for finding out a reasonable energy structure, which is specific for the considered reactor and might be unsuitable for other systems. The genetic algorithm presented in this work aims to choose the most appropriate energy structure for the considered system to collapse a fine multigroup library into a few-groups one, usable for transient transport calculations. The user is free to choose the number of energy groups of the final library, which is in direct relation with the precision required and the time available for the simulation. The methodology is coupled with SIMMER-III code and applied to 3 reactor systems: ESNII+ ASTRID, ESFR and MSFR. The results show that the algorithm can find representative energy structures, providing accurate results on the multiplication factor. The results of each test are analyzed, showing how different compositions, geometries and neutron spectra guide the algorithm choices, so demonstrating the effectiveness of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforced concrete structural walls are commonly used to provide lateral strength and stiffness to resist lateral loads from wind or earthquake. Slender walls usually require large amounts of longitudinal reinforcement at wall boundaries to satisfy code lateral strength requirements; therefore, use of structural steel reinforced concrete (SRC) walls, where the boundary longitudinal reinforcement is replaced by a structural steel section, is a potentially attractive alternative. This study presents results of an experimental program involving tests under combined gravity and lateral loading for three, heavily instrumented, moderate-scale SRC slender walls. Primary test variables included varying the size of the embedded structural steel section and the quantity of transverse reinforcement provided at the wall boundaries. Although slip of the structural steel was observed for all specimens, test results reveal good behavior up to and beyond 2% lateral drift, even for a specimen with only modest confinement at the wall boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) behavior of austempered ductile iron samples coated with Ti/TiN by cathodic arc deposition. The influence of the TiN layer thickness on the characteristics and RCF life of the coated samples is analyzed. RCF tests were performed in a flat washer type testing rig, using a thrust ball bearing as a counterpart. The maximum contact pressure was 1400 MPa. RCF tests results were analyzed using the two-parameter Weibull distribution. The rolling track of the tested samples was examined by using SEM and EDS. The results show that the surface hardness, residual stresses and coating adhesion strength of the samples increase as TiN layer thickness increases while surface roughness, coating hardness and elastic modulus do not vary significantly with the TiN layer thickness. Regarding the RCF tests, two failure mechanisms were observed in the coated samples, coating delamination and substrate spalling. Coating delamination turned out to be the most predominant mechanism and occurred at fewer loading cycles than substrate spalling. The EDS analysis revealed that inside the delaminated areas the Ti interlayer remained adhered to the substrates in all the cases. Extended tests on delaminated samples show growing delamination until final failure by substrate spalling occurred. The Weibull analysis indicates that the RCF life of the coated samples seems to have a tendency to increase with the TiN layer thickness and, in the case of the thicker TiN layer, to exceed the life of uncoated ADI after the extended tests. However, due to the number of samples employed, the statistic analysis does not show significant differences in the RCF behavior of the uncoated and coated samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (pcFCL) usually presents with reddish nodules, plaques, and tumors on the head and neck or the back.Objective: We sought to describe a peculiar clinical presentation of pcFCL and secondary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (FCL).Methods: We report a series of 13 patients (7 male and 6 female; median age 58 years, mean age 58.2 years, age range 26-83 years) with either pcFCL (11 patients) or secondary cutaneous FCL (2 patients) presenting with lesions on the head deviating from the classic clinical manifestations characterized by plaques and tumors.Results: All patients presented clinically with diffuse, ill-defined, partly hypochromic, partly erythematous macules or with inconspicuous lesions located predominantly on the scalp and forehead. Dimension ranged between 4 to 5 cm2 and greater than 30 cm2. The initial diagnosis was never cutaneous lymphoma, and all patients received various diagnoses including rosacea, alopecia, erysipelas, discoid lupus erythematosus, angiosarcoma, Borrelia infection, or sarcoidosis. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of FCL in all patients.Limitations: Small number of cases and retrospective study design are limitations.Conclusions: This clinical presentation of both pcFCL and secondary cutaneous FCL is unusual and represents a pitfall in the clinical diagnosis. Dermatologists should be aware of this clinical variant of FCL to establish a timely diagnosis and treat patients properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thrombocytopenia has been reported to be associated with efalizumab therapy, but has only sporadically been reported with other anti-tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-alpha) agents.Objective: To describe the frequency of thrombocytopenia in a cohort of patients who underwent biological therapies for psoriasis.Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 93 patients.Results: One hundred eighteen courses of biological therapies were administered to 93 patients. Four of 67 patients who received anti-TNF-alpha agents developed drug-induced thrombocytopenia during treatment, compared with none of the 51 patients receiving efalizumab therapy. The platelet count recovered after suspension of anti-TNF-alpha agents in 3 patients and relapsed after re-exposure in two patients. The overall estimated frequency of thrombocytopenia in our cohort was 4.30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0% to 6.2%).Limitations: These findings should be validated in larger studies.Conclusions: Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is a potential side effect of anti-TNF-alpha agents. Immediate monitoring of platelet counts is recommended if autoimmunity is suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work contributes to ongoing discussions about the nature of tuberculosis in the Western Hemisphere prior to the time of European contact. Our example, from the extreme south of South America was, at the time of our study, without firm temporal association or molecular characterization. In Tierra del Fuego, Constantinescu (1999) briefly described vertebral bone lesions compatible with TB in an undated skeleton from Myren 1 site (Chile). The remains of Myren are estimated to represent a man between 18 and 23 years old at the time of death. The objectives of this research are to extend this description, to present molecular results, to establish a radiocarbon date, and to report stable isotopic values for the remains. We provide further description of the remains, including tuberculosis-like skeletal pathology. Radiocarbon dating of 640 ± 20 years BP attributes this individual to the precontact fourteenth-fifteenth centuries. Isotopic ratios for nitrogen and carbon from bone collagen suggest a mixed diet. Molecular results were positive for the rpoB quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays but negative for two independent IS6110 and IS1081 qPCR assays. Further testing using genomic methods to target any mycobacteria for specific identification are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a neutronic benchmark between the FRENETIC and the SIMMER codes, performed considering the core of the ALFRED lead-cooled fast reactor. FRENETIC includes a nodal diffusion module developed for fast full-core analyses of safety-relevant transients in liquid-metal fast reactors, while SIMMER is a reference tool for qualifying such kind of systems in accidental conditions. In order to highlight the influence of the different numerical methods available in the two codes on the output responses, macroscopic parameters like the effective multiplication factor and the linear power are compared in an increasingly detailed simulation framework. The 3D full-core FRENETIC results are compared at first to a cylindrical 2D SIMMER core model, to highlight the impact of the absorber rings location. Then, a 3D full-core model is also employed in SIMMER to assess the differences, with respect to FRENETIC, induced by the adoption of a Cartesian mesh and of the discrete ordinates method. The full input data consistency is ensured providing the same set of few-group material constants, generated with the Monte Carlo code Serpent 2. Finally, the W- ε scheme is applied to accelerate the angular and spatial convergence of the k eff sequences computed by SIMMER in order to estimate the asymptotic errors with respect to the reference Serpent calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (cDLBCL-LT) is a well-defined entity of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma affecting predominantly elderly patients, mostly women. The typical clinical presentation is characterized by solitary or multiple, rapidly growing plaques or tumors on 1 leg (rarely both legs). Objective We sought to describe a new clinical variant of cDLBCL-LT that deviates from the conventional one. Methods Clinical, histopathologic, phenotypical, and molecular features of 3 cases of cDLBCL-LT presenting with patches or thin plaques were reviewed (all were women, aged 60, 62, and 87 years; lesions were located on the leg in all patients). Results These patients presented with patches or thin plaques that represented the first manifestation of cDLBCL-LT. All 3 patients reported a history of long-standing lesions (present for 6, 9, and 18 months, respectively). Histology revealed moderately dense, perivascular infiltrates of small lymphocytes admixed with variable numbers of large cells that were CD20 + , Bcl-2 + , and MUM-1 + . Limitations There were only a small number of cases. Conclusions We reported an unusual clinical presentation of cDLBCL-LT that deviates from the conventional one and that represents a formidable diagnostic challenge. Biopsy specimens of unusual patches/thin plaques or annular lesions should be obtained from the legs of adult patients if the lesions do not respond to conventional treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histopathology of lepromatous skin varies according to the cell-mediated immunity of the host against Mycobacterium leprae . In tuberculoid and borderline tuberculoid leprosy, epithelioid noncaseating granulomas predominate, and acid-fast bacilli (AFB) are absent or only rarely present. In borderline lepromatous and lepromatous leprosy, the infiltrate is composed of macrophages with a vacuolar cytoplasm, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. AFB are numerous. Edema inside and outside the epithelioid granulomas, together with the appearance of large giant cells, are the main features of type 1 reactions. A conspicuous neutrophilic infiltrate in the subcutis with or without vasculitis is found in erythema nodosum leprosum. The main histopathologic features of leprosy and its particular forms are discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]