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Background Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) includes a broad range of dermatologic manifestations. Periorbital involvement, however, is a relatively rare clinical presentation of CLE. Objectives This clinical study aimed to investigate the characteristics of this unique presentation of CLE in tertiary medical centers. Methods We enrolled patients with periorbital erythema and swelling as the presenting sign of lupus erythematosus, from January 2003 to November 2017, using the data of 553 pathologically proven CLE cases from the registration database of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals in Taiwan. Results We enrolled a total of 25 patients. The mean age was 46.7 years and 68% of the patients were female. Most of the patients (84.0%) presented with unilateral involvement, with the left orbit involved in 15 patients (60%); the upper eyelid was the most frequently involved (72%). Mean duration between the onset of clinical manifestations and the diagnosis of CLE was approximately 59 weeks. Nineteen patients had been previously misdiagnosed. All patients had features compatible with CLE on histopathological examination. In contrast, laboratory analysis of the autoimmune profile often revealed negative results, including those for antinuclear antibodies (25%). Notably, anti-SSA/SSB (45.5%) showed the highest positive rate. During follow-up, six patients developed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and two patients developed Sjögren syndrome. Conclusions The diagnosis of CLE presenting as periorbital erythema and swelling is often delayed because of clinical mimicry and the high proportion of negative results on autoantibody tests. Increased clinical suspicion and prompt histopathological examination are crucial for early diagnosis. Moreover, one-fourth of the patients ultimately developed SLE, which highlights the importance of clinical awareness.

Background Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is widely accepted in the preoperative management of salivary gland lesions. The proposed Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) aims to standardize reporting terminology. Studies regarding the risk of malignancy (ROM) for the proposed categories continue to evolve. The current retrospective study applied the MSRSGC to assess ROM for salivary gland lesions and focused on the "indeterminate" categories. Methods A total of 627 salivary gland FNA specimens obtained from 2011 through 2016 were retrieved, with follow-up available for 373 cases. The original diagnoses were recategorized using MSRSGC by 2 independent cytopathologists as: 1) non-diagnostic; 2) non-neoplastic; 3) atypia of undetermined significance (AUS); 4a) benign neoplasms; 4b) salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP); 5) suspicious for malignancy (SFM); and 6) malignant. The ROM and overall ROM for each diagnostic category were determined, with characterization of "indeterminate" (AUS, SUMP, and SFM) lesions. Results There was near-perfect agreement regarding categorization (626 of 627 cases; 99.8%) between the 2 cytopathologists, with discordance observed for 1 case. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of salivary gland FNA specimens at the study institution were 79%, 98%, 94%, and 92%, respectively. The ROM for non-diagnostic, non-neoplastic, benign neoplasms, AUS, SUMP, SFM, and malignant were 6.7%, 7.1%, 38.9%, 5.0%, 34.2%, 92.9%, and 92.3%, respectively. The indeterminate category had an overall ROM of 47.1%. Conclusions The MSRSGC is a valuable tool that can help to standardize reporting and stratify cases preoperatively. Having a better understanding of the indeterminate diagnoses will help further refine risk classification criteria. Cancer Cytopathol 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) detects and analyses PS points from multitemporal SAR images for scene deformation monitoring. We propose a novel technique to identify disappearing and emerging PS points, which are regarded as building changes in cities. A spatiotemporal analysis is implemented as both spatial position and occurrence time are obtained for each change point. We first estimate each pixel's temporal coherences in different image subsets. Computed from temporal coherences, a change index sequence is introduced to quantify each pixel's probabilities of being change points at different times. All pixels' change indices are then utilized to extract change points by a global, automatic, and statistical-based scheme. We then eliminate blunders by a spatial filtering. Finally, the occurrence times of the change points are detected based on the temporal variation in their change index sequences. We implement a simulated data test to validate and assess our method. Using TerraSAR-X images, our real data test successfully recognizes steady, disappearing, and emerging buildings in Berlin, Germany within 2013.

Ultrasonography is pivotal in triage thyroid biopsy in the era after the identification of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). This pictorial essay illustrates the pathologic basis of the sonographic features that distinguish NIFTP from thyroid cancers. In this study, we present the correlations of ultrasonography to ×1 histopathology to assess shape and margin characteristics. Markedly hypoechoic nodules correlate to microfollicular/solid nodules, while isoechoic/hyperechoic thyroid nodules correlate to normofollicular/macrofollicular nodules. The ultrasound findings of NIFTP and minimally invasive encapsulated thyroid cancers are similar. Both are well-circumscribed, oval-to-round nodules with regular margins. Blurred or microlobulated margins indicate infiltrating tumors, while lobulated margins are characteristic of expansile tumors. Overtly invasive encapsulated tumors are characterized by oval-to-round nodules with irregular or lobulated margins. The ultrasound findings for infiltrative thyroid cancers show at least one of the following malignant features: marked hypoechoicity, taller-than-wide shape, microcalcifications, and blurred or microlobulated margins.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is an implantation mycosis characterized by the presence of pigmented muriform cells in tissue. CBM is endemic in Taiwan, but only three formal cases have been reported to date because of underreporting. To describe and update its epidemiologic features, we report a series of 30 cases between 2003 and 2016 at a single medical center. Patients were predominately male (2.75:1). The mean age of onset was 65.9 years, and disease duration ranged from 2 months to 20 years. Diabetes was the most common comorbidity, and extremities were the most frequent sites of involvement. The lesions presented as papuloplaque, verrucous, cicatricial, targetoid, or mixed types. The dermoscopic features were variable, including red dots, white vague areas, black globules, and sand-like patterns. Among 10 Fonsecaea isolates further identified by sequencing the ITS regions of ribosomal DNA, nine were F. monophora and one was F. nubica. All but one patient received either systemic antifungal agents, surgical excision, or both. Surgical excision achieved a higher complete remission rate than the other forms of treatment did.

Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been known to induce type I hypersensitivity reactions. However, severe delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) induced by PPI, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), are rarely reported. We conducted a study of a large series of PPI-related DHR, followed up their tolerability to alternative anti-ulcer agents, and investigated the T-cell reactivity to PPI in PPI-related DHR patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients with PPI-related DHR from multiple medical centers in Taiwan during the study period January 2003 to April 2016. We analyzed the causative PPI, clinical manifestations, organ involvement, treatment, and complications. We also followed up the potential risk of cross-hypersensitivity or tolerability to other PPI after their hypersensitivity episodes. Drug lymphocyte activation test (LAT) was conducted by measuring granulysin and interferon-γ to confirm the causalities. Results There were 69 cases of PPI-related DHR, including SJS/TEN (n=27) and DRESS (n=10). The LAT by measuring granulysin showed a sensitivity of 59.3% and specificity of 96.4%. Esomeprazole was the most commonly involved in PPI-related DHR (51%). Thirteen patients allergic to one kind of PPI could tolerate other structurally different PPI without cross-hypersensitivity reactions, whereas three patients developed cross-hypersensitivity reactions to alternative structurally similar PPI. The cross-reactivity to structurally similar PPI was also observed in LAT assay. Conclusions PPIs have the potential to induce life-threatening DHR. In patients when PPI is necessary for treatment, switching to structurally different alternatives should be considered.

The Formosan wild boar () is an endemic subspecies in Taiwan. Understanding the origins and spread of the Formosan wild boar could help clarify East Asian wild boar dispersion. Although in situ domestication of the wild boar occurred at a number of domestication centers across East Asia, corroborating archaeological and genetic evidence of pig domestication on Taiwan is lacking, leading to domestication being described as cryptic. This characterization applies to the Lanyu pig-a domestic pig breed found on Taiwan. To better understand pig domestication, this study examines the sympatric Formosan wild boar and domestic Lanyu pig to build a model of potential wild boar domestication on Taiwan and elucidate wild boar domestication patterns in the region. To this end, a comprehensive phylogenetic study of the Formosan wild boar and the Lanyu pig was conducted on animals sourced from Taiwan, Lanyu, and the Philippines. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using full mitochondrial control-region sequences from 345 wild boars and domestic pigs. These were studied in concert with existing reports on 206 Asian wild boars. Genetic characteristics and Bayesian phylogenetic tree results identified 2 wild boar lineages of remote phylogenetic relationship. These were Formosan wild boar lineage (FWBL) and Formosan wild boar with Lanyu sign lineage (FWBLYL). Molecular clock analyses indicate that FWBLYL diverged earlier than other insular East Asia wild boars and show that FWBLYL and FWBL diverged approximately 0.60 million years ago. This result supports boars of FWBLYL being the earliest wild boars to have spread and become isolated in insular East Asia. In addition, the study proposes 6 Asian wild boar dispersion routes during glacial periods. At least 3 of these events occurred in insular East Asia with subsequent geographical isolation after glacial recession. This isolation potentially led to allopatric differentiation of wild boar subspecies. Also, the similar genetic signature and phylogenetic uniqueness of Lanyu pigs to wild boars of FWBLYL suggests such wild boars were the wild ancestor of domestic Lanyu pigs. This result indicates potential in situ domestication occurring on Taiwan. Finally, pigs possessing FWBLYL's genetic signatures were continuously distributed among Taiwan, Lanyu, and the Philippines. This pattern may signify human-mediated pig dispersal routes.

Objectives This study investigated the controversy of whether hypervascularity on color Doppler sonography correlates with thyroid malignancy by reviewing the literature and sonographic-pathologic correlation. Methods Over a 20-year period, 698 thyroid nodules had color Doppler and histopathologic data. Intranodular vascularity was graded 0 to 3+, and histopathologic findings were recorded. Results The data were collected from 698 patients (557 women and 141 men) with a mean age of 48 years (range, 16–87 years). Of the 698 neoplasms, 425 were malignant (mean size, 1.7 cm; range, 0.4–9 cm; 150 ≤1 cm), and 273 were benign. The carcinomas included 391 papillary, 12 Hurthle cell, 9 medullary, 6 follicular, 5 poorly differentiated, and 2 anaplastic. The grading of intranodular vascularity was 0 in 63.3%, 1+ in 12.9%, 2+ in 6.6%, and 3+ in 17.4%. Among thyroid carcinomas, follicular carcinoma and the encapsulated subtype of the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma had significantly higher intranodular vascularity than the rest (P

To analyze the evaluation results of malaria elimination and summarize the experience in Jiujiang City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the surveillance work plan post-malaria elimination.According to the requirements and arrangements ofIn Jiujiang City, the last local malaria case was reported in 2008. From 2010 to 2016, there were 20 imported malaria cases reported, including 12 cases of falciparum malaria, 7 cases of vivax malaria, and 1 case of mixed infection. Totally 67 501 fever patients were tested forAll 13 counties (cities and districts) of Jiujiang City have passed the city level evaluative criteria of malaria elimination, and the key work should be the prevention and surveillance of imported malaria in the future.

Quantum computers are expected to outperform conventional computers in several important applications, from molecular simulation to search algorithms, once they can be scaled up to large numbers-typically millions-of quantum bits (qubits)

Persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) detects and analyses strong, stable, and coherent radar signals throughout a time series of SAR images. Such coherent signals are reflected from corner-reflector-like substructures in built-up cities, which are regarded as so-called PS points. Certain PS properties such as deformation velocity and topography height can be derived for scene monitoring. Previously, we introduced a PSI-based change detection to detect disappearing and emerging PS points along with their occurrence times. Such temporary PS points existing only during a certain period correspond to change events, e.g., mostly constructions in cities. The tests using TerraSAR-X images successfully identified where and when the construction events in Berlin took place in 2013. The results were compared and all agreed with the ground truth. In this study, we evaluate our method more deeply. A simulation test is conducted to evaluate the theoretical accuracy in space and time. We also compare our method with two classical approaches: image rationing and amplitude-based semi-PS detection. The computational requirements are revealed afterwards. Finally, potential applications are proposed and discussed. All of these works help us to better characterize our technique and learn the pros and cons.

Nowadays monitoring of mining areas, e.g., regarding dam stability, has become increasingly important with rising awareness of safety and environmental protection. An appropriate monitoring scheme is necessitated to legally activate, reactivate, or terminate mining operations. Usually such monitoring relies on in situ surveys, which are unrealistic to cover an extensive mining area. Alternatively, remote sensing based on spaceborne data offers efficient and cost-effective solutions for regular surveillance of large areas. Spaceborne SAR sensors provide images captured rapidly over vast areas at fine spatiotemporal resolution. These sensors are characterized by weather independent and day-and-night vision, which guarantees intensive image series without cloud occlusion. Using multi-temporal SAR images, advanced DInSAR such as PSI and SBAS is a mature technique to evaluate surface deformation at best millimetre level. This technique has been commercialized as a standard service in many Geoinformation companies. Nevertheless, experts from other fields like mining engineers often doubt the information about movement derived from DInSAR. Our duty in industry is to solve these doubts and tailor our techniques for various applications. With the support of STINGS project, we have developed an initial prototype of our monitoring system. The final goal is to launch an interactive GIS-based platform as an early warning system to the public. In this paper, we demonstrate our initial test result using Sentinel-1 images at a mining site in Chile. We also propose the strategies to solve the problems in real applications and discuss how to improve the overall quality.

We present a scaling study toward lZnm node 3D Cross-point PCM (XPCM) for Storage Class Memory (SCM) applications. The low operation current, and low metal line loading resistance are desired to avoid a wide operation voltage distribution in a cross-point array. For the first time, AC threshold voltage (Vth) of 1S1R OTS-PCM was studied, which will impact the operation scheme. To achieve Tera bits per chip density, six layers 1Znm 3D XPCM with OTS showing high Vth and low leakage current, and scalable periphery circuit are required.

A reliability study for phase change memory (PCM) pillar cell is performed. We found that without a buffer layer, the PCM pillar cell shows earlier endurance failure than its mushroom counterpart, and the underlying failure mechanism is attributed to element segregation. A buffer layer between PCM and top electrode is found to substantially improve the endurance characteristics of the PCM pillar cell to greater than 1E10 program cycles. In addition, the buffer layer also provides the benefit of increased PCM threshold voltage (Vth), which can enlarge the read window margin for the OTS+PCM 3D Cross-Point Memory array.

A reliability study for PCM and OTS intermixing was addressed. The buffer layer between PCM and OTS plays a key role in preventing PCM/OTS intermixing after BEOL processing thermal treatment. Besides cycling endurance, performance degradation due to interlayer intermixing was observed. Optimal device operation and an improved buffer layer allowed drastically improved cycling endurance from a few cycles to > 1E9 cycles.

S-Arylation of cysteine residues is an increasingly powerful tool for site-specific modification of proteins, providing novel structure and electronic perturbation. The present work demonstrates an operationally-simple cysteine arylation reaction 2-nitro-substituted arylboronic acids, promoted by a simple nickel(ii) salt. The process exhibits strikingly fast reaction rates under physiological conditions in purely aqueous media with excellent selectivity toward cysteine residues. Cysteine arylation of natural proteins and peptides allows attachment of useful reactive handles for stapling, imaging, or further conjugation.

Thyroid ultrasound (US) became pivotal in triaging thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy following recent name change of “noninvasive follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma” (fvPTC) to “noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features” (NIFTP). This chapter describes the pathologic basis of grayscale thyroid US for cytopathologists, radiologists, endocrinologists, and thyroid surgeons. There are two composite figures of 11 tumors with US, cytology, gross pathology, and histopathology, comparing indolent and aggressive thyroid cancers and comparing NIFTPs with infiltrative and encapsulated fvPTCs on US features, cytology features, and histology features. Color Doppler US is correlated with cellularity of FNA samples of various tumors and aid in predicting the bloodiness of thyroid FNA samples.

BACKGROUND Learning through a 360° virtual reality (VR) or 2D video represents an alternative way to learn a complex medical education task. However, there is currently no consensus on how best to assess the effects of different learning materials on cognitive load estimates, heart rate variability (HRV), outcomes, and experience in learning history taking and physical examination (H&P) skills. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate how learning materials (ie, VR or 2D video) impact learning outcomes and experience through changes in cognitive load estimates and HRV for learning H&P skills. METHODS This pilot system–design study included 32 undergraduate medical students at an academic teaching hospital. The students were randomly assigned, with a 1:1 allocation, to a 360° VR video group or a 2D video group, matched by age, sex, and cognitive style. The contents of both videos were different with regard to visual angle and self-determination. Learning outcomes were evaluated using the Milestone reporting form. Subjective and objective cognitive loads were estimated using the Paas Cognitive Load Scale, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index, and secondary-task reaction time. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed using HRV measurements. Learning experience was assessed using the AttrakDiff2 questionnaire and qualitative feedback. Statistical significance was accepted at a two-sided P value of RESULTS All 32 participants received the intended intervention. The sample consisted of 20 (63%) males and 12 (38%) females, with a median age of 24 (IQR 23-25) years. The 360° VR video group seemed to have a higher Milestone level than the 2D video group (P=.04). The reaction time at the 10th minute in the 360° VR video group was significantly higher than that in the 2D video group (PP=.001) and a Milestone level of ≥3 (exp B=15.0, 95% CI 2.3-99.6; P=.005). However, a reaction time at the 10th minute of ≥3.6 seconds was not related to a Milestone level of ≥3. A low-frequency to high-frequency ratio between the 5th and 10th minute of ≥1.43 seemed to be inversely associated with a hedonic stimulation score of ≥2.0 (exp B=0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.68; P=.015) after adjusting for video module. The main qualitative feedback indicated that the 360° VR video module was fun but caused mild dizziness, whereas the 2D video module was easy to follow but tedious. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary results showed that 360° VR video learning may be associated with a better Milestone level than 2D video learning, and that this did not seem to be related to cognitive load estimates or HRV indexes in the novice learners. Of note, an increase in sympathovagal balance may have been associated with a lower hedonic stimulation score, which may have met the learners’ needs and prompted learning through the different video modules. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03501641; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03501641

The spin states of electrons confined in semiconductor quantum dots form a promising platform for quantum computation. Recent studies of silicon CMOS qubits have shown coherent manipulation of electron spin states with extremely high fidelity. However, manipulation of single electron spins requires large oscillatory magnetic fields to be generated on-chip, making it difficult to address individual qubits when scaling up to multi-qubit devices. The spin-orbit interaction allows spin states to be controlled with electric fields, which act locally and are easier to generate. While the spin-orbit interaction is weak for electrons in silicon, valence band holes have an inherently strong spin-orbit interaction. However, creating silicon quantum dots in which a single hole can be localised, in an architecture that is suitable for scale-up to a large number of qubits, is a challenge. Here we report a silicon quantum dot, with an integrated charge sensor, that can be operated down to the last hole. We map the spin states and orbital structure of the first six holes, and show they follow the Fock-Darwin spectrum. We also find that hole-hole interactions are extremely strong, reducing the two-hole singlet-triplet splitting by 90% compared to the single particle level spacing of 3.5 meV. These results provide a route to single hole spin quantum bits in a planar silicon CMOS architecture., 7 pages, 3 figures

New selector materials with very-low I OFF and optimum V th . based on As-Se-Ge chalcogenides are studied. An optimized composition is proposed, which achieves a good trade-off between thermal stability and cycling endurance and it is successfully integrated with PCM in a 3D stackable pillar structure. SET/RESET operation are demonstrated with ∼2V memory window. Selector is able to deliver 1mA ON current (7.9 MA/cm2) and fast speed (10 ns). More than 1E12 read cycling endurance is achieved in 1S1R $(\text{OTS}+\text{PCM})$ device due to the excellent endurance of the selector.

The high-concentration precursor solution of Bi0.9La0.1FeO3 (BLFO) was fabricated and stored under the different temperatures (40, 20, 0 °C). After 10 days, the solution at the temperature of 40 °C generated both bismuth acetate precipitation and nitrogen dioxide gas and at the temperature of 20 °C generated nitrogen dioxide gas, while the solution still maintains stability and transparency at the temperature of 0 °C. These results show that low temperature is an important way to improve the stability of high-concentration precursor solution in sol–gel method. Furthermore, the stability precursor solution is adopted to prepare BLFO thick film on indium tin oxide/glass substrate by spin coating combined with sequential layer annealing. The film exhibits a perovskite structure without impurity phase; especially, a comparatively high remanent polarization (P r) of 42.85 μC/cm2 can be obtained, which may be related to lanthanum doping, preferred (110) orientation and relatively compact microstructure. XRD patterns and cross-sectional structure of Bi0.9La0.1FeO3 thick film, polarization–electric field (P–E) loops at various voltages.

Nd (3 %) and Ti (2 %) co-doped BiFeO3 (BNFTO) thin film was deposited on indium tin oxide-coated glass substrate by a metal organic decomposition process. The BNFTO film exhibits a single perovskite phase with random orientation and good insulating property with low leakage current. Asymmetrical polarization–electric field loops are observed in the BNFTO film: This is mainly attributed to the role of oxygen vacancy-related defect complexes in the film. Additionally, the capacitance of the sample is strongly dependent on both the applied voltage and measuring frequency. Furthermore, with the increase in applied voltages or decrease in frequencies, the dielectric tunability is gradually enhanced. The related physics mechanism for the enhanced performance is also discussed. High dielectric constant of 165, dielectric tunability of 27 % and figure of merit of 13.5 are achieved when a measuring frequency of 1 kHz is applied. These present results can be regarded as a base for further development of high-performance BiFeO3 films. Polarization–electric field (P–E) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) curves of the BNFTO film measured under various electric fields and applied bias voltages.

Heat stress has profound effects on animal performance and muscle function, and microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in muscle development and stress responses. To characterize the changes in miRNAs in skeletal muscle responding to heat stress, the miRNA expression profiles of longissimus dorsi muscles of pigs raised under constant heat stress (30 °C; n = 8) or control temperature (22 °C; n = 8) for 21 days were analyzed by Illumina deep sequencing. A total of 58 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified with 30 down-regulated and 28 up-regulated, and 63 differentially expressed target genes were predicted by miRNA-mRNA joint analysis. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the genes regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched in glucose metabolism, cytoskeletal structure and function and stress response. Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA levels of PDK4, HSP90 and DES were significantly increased, whereas those of SCD and LDHA significantly decreased by heat exposure. The protein levels of CALM1, DES and HIF1α were also significantly increased by constant heat. These results demonstrated that the change in miRNA expression in porcine longissimus dorsi muscle underlies the changes in muscle structure and metabolism in porcine skeletal muscle affected by constant heat stress.

Implementing high-fidelity quantum control and reducing the effect of the coupling between a quantum system and its environment is a major challenge in developing quantum information technologies. Here, we show that there exists a geometrical structure hidden within the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation that provides a simple way to view the entire solution space of pulses that suppress noise errors in a system's evolution. In this framework, any single-qubit gate that is robust against quasistatic noise to first order corresponds to a closed three-dimensional space curve, where the driving fields that implement the robust gate can be read off from the curvature and torsion of the space curve. Gates that are robust to second order are in one-to-one correspondence with closed curves whose projections onto three mutually orthogonal planes each enclose a vanishing net area. We use this formalism to derive new examples of dynamically corrected gates generated from smooth pulses. We also show how it can be employed to analyze the noise-cancellation properties of pulses generated from numerical algorithms such as GRAPE. A similar geometrical framework exists for quantum systems of arbitrary Hilbert space dimension., Comment: published version

Universal quantum computation will require qubit technology based on a scalable platform

We identify the presence of monoatomic steps at the Si/SiGe or Si/SiO$_2$ interface as a dominant source of variations in the dephasing time of Si quantum dot (QD) spin qubits. First, using atomistc tight-binding calculations we show that the g-factors and their Stark shifts undergo variations due to these steps. We compare our theoretical predictions with experiments on QDs at a Si/SiO$_2$ interface, in which we observe significant differences in Stark shifts between QDs in two different samples. We also experimentally observe variations in the $g$-factors of one-electron and three-electron spin qubits realized in three neighboring QDs on the same sample, at a level consistent with our calculations. The dephasing times of these qubits also vary, most likely due to their varying sensitivity to charge noise, resulting from different interface conditions. More importantly, from our calculations we show that by employing the anisotropic nature of the spin-orbit interaction (SOI) in a Si QD, we can minimize and control these variations. Ultimately, we predict that the dephasing times of the Si QD spin qubits will be anisotropic and can be improved by at least an order of magnitude, by aligning the external DC magnetic field towards specific crystal directions., 5 pages, 3 figures, Supplemental Material (3 pages, 2 figures)

For the first time published, high endurance OTS (ovonic threshold switch, here, TeAsGeSiSe-based) is integrated with PCM (here, doped Ge2Sb2Te5) to form a 3D stackable pillar type device. With the help of an etch buffer layer and a damage-free pillar RIE process, we achieved 100% array yield without OTS/PCM composition modification. Anneal tests show this one-selector/one-resistor (1S1R) pillar device is BEOL-compatible.We report excellent electrical performance by 1S1R OTS-PCM device; selector provides the fast turn on/off speed which enables 10ns fast RESET speed, program endurance is 109 cycles, and read endurance is higher than 1011 cycles.

To investigate the possible function and mechanism of lncRNA SNHG8 in the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma.We utilized qRT-PCR to detect the expression of SNHG8 in 60 cases of endometrial carcinoma and 25 cases of normal endometrium; after that, the endometrial carcinoma cell lines were screened. SNHG8 was transfected into endometrial carcinoma cells by Lipofectamine and the proliferative activity of cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Bioinformatics methods were used to detect the target microRNA. miR-152 is predicted to bind to SNHG8 and target genes of c-MET. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to detect the relative luciferase activity between miR-152 and c-MET, SNHG8. The interactions between SNHG8, miR-152, and c-MET were further verified by transfection of miR-152 mimics, miR-152 mimics + OE-SNHG8, SNHG8 siRNA, and SNHG8 siRNA + miR-152 inhibitor.SNHG8 expression in endometrial carcinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in normal endometrium. After transfection with SNHG8 siRNA, the cell viability of AN3CA cells decreased, whereas the activity of Ishikawa was increased after transfection with SNHG8 overexpression plasmid. Bioinformatics predictions and dual luciferase reporter assay illustrated that SNHG8 was bound to miR-152 and miR-152 targeted on c-MET. In addition, miR-152 mimics inhibited the expression of c-MET, and the inhibitory effect was reversed after SNHG8 overexpression. Silencing SNHG8 reduced c-MET expression, and c-MET expression was reversed after addition of miR-152 inhibitor.SNHG8 is highly expressed in endometrial carcinoma, and SNHG8 targets c-MET through miR-152 to regulate the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is widely accepted in the preoperative management of salivary gland lesions. The proposed Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) aims to standardize reporting terminology. Studies regarding the risk of malignancy (ROM) for the proposed categories continue to evolve. The current retrospective study applied the MSRSGC to assess ROM for salivary gland lesions and focused on the "indeterminate" categories.A total of 627 salivary gland FNA specimens obtained from 2011 through 2016 were retrieved, with follow-up available for 373 cases. The original diagnoses were recategorized using MSRSGC by 2 independent cytopathologists as: 1) non-diagnostic; 2) non-neoplastic; 3) atypia of undetermined significance (AUS); 4a) benign neoplasms; 4b) salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP); 5) suspicious for malignancy (SFM); and 6) malignant. The ROM and overall ROM for each diagnostic category were determined, with characterization of "indeterminate" (AUS, SUMP, and SFM) lesions.There was near-perfect agreement regarding categorization (626 of 627 cases; 99.8%) between the 2 cytopathologists, with discordance observed for 1 case. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of salivary gland FNA specimens at the study institution were 79%, 98%, 94%, and 92%, respectively. The ROM for non-diagnostic, non-neoplastic, benign neoplasms, AUS, SUMP, SFM, and malignant were 6.7%, 7.1%, 38.9%, 5.0%, 34.2%, 92.9%, and 92.3%, respectively. The indeterminate category had an overall ROM of 47.1%.The MSRSGC is a valuable tool that can help to standardize reporting and stratify cases preoperatively. Having a better understanding of the indeterminate diagnoses will help further refine risk classification criteria. Cancer Cytopathol 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

We present the results of a primary study on an OTS chalcogenide material system (TeAsGeSi) that incorporates Se and an extra dopant. Vth and Ioff are trade-off parameters that can be tuned by modification of OTS composition, thickness and process temperature. The resulting new selector material demonstrated excellent endurance (>1010 with 50ns-pulsed 400uA On-current) and robust OTS characteristics after 350°C/30 mins annealing. The thin film could withstand 500 °C annealing.

Meshes optimization plays an important role in freeform surface reconstruction and 3D printing for product design. The purpose of this study applied the “Winner-take-all” method of Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) to classify the meshes in product model. SOM is to find the optimized feature points for the data points in model and reduce the points efficiently in the whole surface reconstruction process. An implicit surface based on radial basis function (RBF) kernel calculation reconstructed the meshes. Three case studies has been implemented to achieve an effective points data reduction and an error deviation acceptable process.

Intelligent building management system (IBMS) has been recognized as a promising solution to growing issue of smart factory under industry 4.0 applications. Management systems play an important role in providing for operation optimization for the intelligent building. Considering IBMS evaluation and decision planning, this study present an integrated MCDM approach for evaluation and determination of management systems for the smart factory is analyzed, take into technological integration, government policy, product application and financial value, by using the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR). This study contributes to the sustainable development — operation research (OR) literature, especially concerning the incorporation of the smart industry characteristic measurement into intelligent building management system, by utilizing MCDM decision model for intelligent building management system projects.

SummaryBackground Malignancy is known to be associated with an increased mortality rate in patients with Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). However, risk factors contributing to the poor prognosis of patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies remain undefined. Objectives To explore the potential involvement of malignancy and its related factors contributing to the poor outcome of SJS/TEN, in a retrospective study. Methods In total 517 patients with SJS/TEN were enrolled. Forty-seven who sustained various types of malignancies were analysed for numerous malignancy-related factors, including cancer types, clinical stages and chemotherapies given or not before the onset of SJS/TEN. Results We found that the mortality rate of patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies was higher than that of patients without malignancies (32%, 15/47 vs. 8·5%, 40/470, respectively) (P < 0·001). The use of phenytoin was significantly higher in the malignancy group. The presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (80%, four of five; P < 0·001; odds ratio 43) and colorectal cancer (67%, two of three; P = 0·022; odds ratio 21·5) significantly increased the death rate of patients with SJS/TEN, whereas lung cancer and urothelial carcinoma did not. Patients who had received ongoing or recent chemotherapy showed higher mortality than those without chemotherapy (P = 0·022; odds ratio 4·95). Furthermore, among the 47 patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies, lower serum albumin, haemoglobin and platelet count were detected in the deceased patients than in the surviving patients before the onset of SJS/TEN. Conclusions Our results suggest that several factors related to malignancies, such as specific cancer types, chemotherapy and malnutrition, may contribute to poor prognosis in patients with malignancies developing SJS/TEN.

This timely review starts by reporting the clinical, cytologic and histologic features of a morphologic variant of pulmonary carcinoid tumor forming exclusively of papillae. This growth pattern is so rare that it was not included in 2014 WHO classification of pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms. The current concept is reviewed, and example of spindle cell carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma are illustrated with fine needle aspiration cytology, surgical and clinical follow-up. Finally, the new findings in cell biology and molecular biology that led to the emerging concept that carcinoids and high-grade neuroendocrine lung carcinomas are separate biological entities are reviewed and summarized in a tumorigenic module.

Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is a technique to extract subtle surface deformation from sets of scatterers identified in time-series of SAR images which feature temporally stable and strong radar signal (i.e., Persistent Scatterers, PS). Because of the preferred rectangular and regular structure of man-made objects, PSI works particularly well for monitoring of settlements. Usually, in PSI it is assumed that except for surface motion the scene is steady. In case this is not given, corresponding PS candidates are discarded during PSI processing. On the other hand, pixel-based change detection relying on local comparison of multi-temporal images typically highlights scene modifications of larger size rather than detail level. In this paper, we propose a method to combine these two types of change detection approaches. First, we introduce a local change-index based on PSI, which basically looks for PS candidates that remain stable over a certain period of time, but then break down suddenly. In addition, for the remaining PS candidates we apply common PSI processing which yields attributes like velocity in line-of-sight. In order to consider context, we apply now spatial filtering according to the derived attributes and morphology to exclude outliers and extract connect components of similar regions at the same time. We demonstrate our approach for test site Berlin, Germany, where, firstly, deformation-velocities on man-made structures are estimated and, secondly, some construction-sites are correctly recognized.

Summary Portulaca oleracea, an r-strategist, is one of the world's most troublesome weeds. During hot seasons, P. oleracea frequently becomes monodominant in choy sum (Brassica parachinensis) fields in Guangzhou city, southern China. Here, we studied the seasonal dynamics of P. oleracea's germinable soil seedbank, population density and above-ground biomass in choy sum fields that had been cultivated continuously for several years. Using P. oleracea seeds collected from these fields, we tested seed dormancy, survival and germination, seedling growth and generation time. Portulaca oleracea occurred at high levels during the hot season, but its occurrence was low, and the germinable soil seedbank was much greater during the cold season. The weed's opportunistic characteristics allowed it to avoid freezing and to proliferate during optimal conditions. Portulaca oleracea's generation time was very flexible, as short as 31 days during the hot season, but longer than 100 days during the colder season. Seed dormancy tended to be shorter when the seeds were stored at a higher temperature. At a temperature of 35°C, both seed germination and seedling growth showed advantages over those of choy sum. Storage for one year at a temperature of −20°C or burial in a paddy field did not significantly reduce P. oleracea seed germination. Nevertheless, seed storage at a temperature of 15°C and soil coverage of 0.5 cm on top of the seeds significantly constrained seed germination. ‘Stale seedbed’ and/or coverage of the surface with soil are recommended during the hot season. However, rotation of rice and upland crops is not an efficient method for managing Portulaca oleracea infestation.

Due to all-day and all-weather capability spaceborne SAR is a valuable means for rapid mapping during and after disaster. In this paper, three change detection techniques based on SAR data are discussed: (1) initial coarse change detection, (2) flooded area detection, and (3) linear-feature change detection. The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami is used as case study, where earthquake and tsunami events provide a complex case for this study. In (1), pre- and post-event TerraSAR-X images are coregistered accurately to produce a false-color image. Such image provides a quick and rough overview of potential changes, which is useful for initial decision making and identifies areas worthwhile to be analysed further in more depth. In (2), the post-event TerraSAR-X image is used to extract the flooded area by morphological approaches. In (3), we are interested in detecting changes of linear shape as indicator for modified man-made objects. Morphological approaches, e.g. thresholding, simply extract pixel-based changes in the difference image. However, in this manner many irrelevant changes are highlighted, too (e.g., farming activity, speckle). In this study, Curvelet filtering is applied in the difference image not only to suppress false alarms but also to enhance the change signals of linear-feature form (e.g. buildings) in settlements. Afterwards, thresholding is conducted to extract linear-shaped changed areas. These three techniques mentioned above are designed to be simple and applicable in timely disaster analysis. They are all validated by comparing with the change map produced by Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information, DLR.

BACKGROUND The solid variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (SVPTC) comprises approximately 3% of thyroid cancers, and there are conflicting reports about its behavior in the literature. The cytology of SVPTC is limited to 3 single case reports, a review article, and a monograph. We present the first cytologic study of SVPTC. METHODS Fine-needle aspiration smears obtained with ultrasound guidance from 13 patients with histologically pure SVPTC were reviewed, and the cytologic features recorded. Ultrasound images were retrieved from radiology and were correlated with low-power histology images. Intratumor vascularity on Doppler imaging was correlated with cellularity in cytology samples. RESULTS Three cytomorphologic patterns of SVPTC were identified: cohesive, syncytial-type tissue fragments; microfollicles/trabeculae; and dyshesive single cells. All 3 SVPTCs in the first group were encapsulated without invasion. Two of 6 SVPTCs in the second group had a single lymph node metastasis; 4 were encapsulated, and 2 had pushing borders. Ultrasound images in the first and second SVPTC groups were similar, with the majority revealing a well defined, solid nodule with minimal intranodular vascularity. All 4 SVPTCs in the third group had infiltrative borders; and, with the exception of one 0.8-cm tumor, all had multiple lymph node metastases. Ultrasound in the third group revealed irregular borders. RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 mutations were found in 2 cases of the third group. CONCLUSIONS SVPTCs are heterogeneous tumors. The cohesive, syncytial tissue-fragment pattern can be recognized as SVPTC in smears and is associated with encapsulation and indolent behavior. The microfollicular/trabecular pattern is indistinguishable from that of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma and has intermediate behavior. The dyshesive single-cell pattern correlates with infiltrative tumor growth and may not be unique to SVPTC. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2015;123:71–81. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

A series of intramolecular donor-acceptor polymers containing different contents of (E)-1-(2-ethylhexyl)-6,9- dioctyl-2-(2-(thiophen-3-yl)vinyl)-1H-phenanthro(9,10-d)imidazole (thiophene-DOPI) moiety and 4,4-diethylhexyl- cyclopenta(2,1-b:3,4-b!)dithiophene (CPDT) unit was synthesized via Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization. The synthesized random copolymers and homopolymer of thiophene-DOPI contain the donor-"-bridge-acceptor conjugated structure to tune the absorption spectra and energy levels of the resultant polymers. UV-vis spectra of the three polymer films exhibit panchromatic absorptions ranging from 300 to 1100 nm and low band gaps from 1.38 to 1.51 eV. It is found that more thiophene-DOPI moieties result in the decrease of band gap and lower the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) values of polymers. Photovoltaic performance results indicate that if the content of the intramolecular donor-acceptor moiety is high enough, the copolymer structure may be better than homopolymer due to more light-harvesting afforded by both monomer units.