Solid Areas Research Articles

Thermal and Manufacturing Design Considerations for Silicon-Based Embedded Microchannel-Three-Dimensional Manifold Coolers—Part 2: Parametric Study of EMMCs for High Heat Flux (∼1 kW/cm2) Power Electronics Cooling

Abstract Thermal management of power electronics modules is one of the limiting factors in the peak power capability of the traction inverter system and overall efficiency of the e-drive. Liquid cooling using embedded microchannels with a three-dimensional (3D)-manifold cooler (EMMC) is a promising technology capable of removing heat fluxes of >1 kW/cm2 at tens of kPa pressure drop. In this work, we utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to conduct a parametric study of selected EMMC designs to improve the thermofluidic performance for a 5 mm × 5 mm heated area with the applied heat flux of 800 W/cm2 using single-phase water as working fluid at inlet temperature of 25 °C. We implemented strategies such as: (i) symmetric distribution of manifold inlet/outlet conduits, (ii) reducing the thickness of cold-plate (CP) substrate, and (iii) increasing fluid–solid interfacial area in CP microchannels, which resulted in a reduction in thermal resistance from 0.1 for baseline design to 0.04 cm2 K/W, while the pressure drop increased from 8 to 37 kPa.

Importance of surface roughness on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) transport in unsaturated porous media

Understanding the subsurface transport of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is of considerable interest for evaluating its potential risks to humans and ecosystems. In this study, packed-column experiments were conducted to examine the influence of surface roughness on PFOA transport in unsaturated glass beads, quartz sand and limestone porous media. Results showed decreasing moisture content significantly increased the air-water interfacial adsorption of PFOA and led to greater retardation in all three types of porous media. Particularly, rougher surface (limestone > quartz sand > glass beads) and smaller grain size (i.e. a larger solid specific surface area, SSSA) significantly enhanced PFOA retardation under unsaturated conditions. These results were further supported by bubble column experiments and SSSA analysis of porous media, which demonstrate that except for the factors affecting PFOA transport in solid-water interface (e.g. surface charge and chemical heterogeneity), the greater retardation of PFOA during transport is attributed to the larger air-water interfacial areas associated with rougher surface and smaller grain size and hence greater interfacial adsorption of PFOA. Our results indicated the importance of surface roughness on the retention and transport of PFOA in the unsaturated zone.

Phonetic changes in the Latin of Noricum

Previous studies analyzed the Vulgar Latin of the inscriptions of Pannonia Inferior, Dalmatia and Venetia et Histria, comparing the differences between the provincial capitals and the countryside of the provinces, in order to verify the hypothesis of Untermann (1980) and Herman (1983) about the existence of a larger regional dialect of Latin over the Alps–Danube–Adria region. The analyses made clear that these geographic unites don’t constitute a solid and uniform dialectal area, but there are undeniable common characteristics, such as the weakness of the /w/~/b/ merger or the lack of sonorization, which allow us to suppose that the Vulgar Latin variants of these provinces were somewhat more connected among each other than with the rest of the empire. This study involves another province of the Alps–Danube–Adria region, Noricum, in the examination, systematically discusses the changes in the vowel and consonant systems based on the relative distribution of diverse types of non-standard data from the inscriptions of Noricum, and contrasts the linguistic phenomena of an earlier period (1st–3rd c. AD) with a later stage (4th–6th c. AD) of Vulgar Latin, attempting to define whether Noricum fits common characteristics found in the other provinces of the Alps–Danube–Adria region.

Numerical Study of Droplet Impact Dynamics on the ACSR Cable for Studying Ice Adhesion and Accretion on Real Power Lines

Abstract Ice adhesion and accretion on power lines is a severe problem that can pose a threat to the electric power transmission, and this icing phenomenon is significantly related to the impact dynamics of freezing rain droplets. In the current paper, this impacting process was studied by using computational fluid dynamics, and the model was verified by an experiment with a high-speed camera. The detailed droplet impacting processes on the surface of a very commonly used overhead power line (the ACSR-type cable) were analyzed. The effects of surface wettability (θ = 67–135 deg) and initial droplet impact velocity (We = 22–219) on the evolution of the liquid–solid contact area during the whole process and the volume of the residual liquid on the power line surface after impact were studied. Meanwhile, the influence of the surface structure of the ACSR power line on the droplet impact dynamics was analyzed. Results show that the capturing of impacting droplets can be enhanced by the grooved structures on a hydrophilic ACSR power line surface, while differently the expelling of impacting droplets can be enhanced by these grooved structures on a hydrophobic ACSR power line surface. By analyzing the possible influence of the surface structure of an ACSR power line on the phase transition of impacting droplets, these grooved structures could facilitate the formation of ice nucleation which can finally make the ice adhesion and accretion on an ACSR power line is more serious than that on a traditional smooth cylindrical power line.

Aberrant Expression of Cell Cycle Regulator 14-3-3-σ and E-Cadherin in a Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma in a Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

We present a unique case of metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with concurrent abdominal cestodiasis in an African green monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) that presented with respiratory insufficiency and abdominal discomfort. There were multiple white-grey masses in the liver and colonic serosa alongside intra-abdominal parasitic cysts. Histopathologically, the liver masses were composed of poorly-differentiated epithelial cells that formed densely cellular solid areas and trabeculae. The neoplastic cells were strongly immunopositive for CK7 but negative for Hep-Par1 antigen, which confirmed a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. Interestingly, there was strong and diffuse neoexpression in the tumour of the cell cycle regulator 14-3-3σ, which is not constitutively expressed in normal liver. There was aberrantly strong expression of E-cadherin, a key cell-cell adhesion protein, in neoplastic cells with evidence of cytoplasmic internalization. This is the first immunohistochemical analysis of 14-3-3σ and E-cadherin in a liver neoplasm in an animal species and the use of these markers requires further investigation in animal liver neoplasms.

Ovarian Gynandroblastoma with a Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumor Component in a Postmenopausal Woman.

Ovarian gynandroblastoma (GAB) is an extremely rare sex cord-stromal tumor showing morphological evidence of both female (granulosa cell tumor) and male (Sertoli–Leydig cell tumor (SLCT)) components. Almost all GAB cases have been reported in children, adolescents, or women of reproductive age, and most of them typically have adult granulosa cell tumors as the female component. In contrast, GAB with a juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) component is a very rare condition; to the best of our knowledge, only one case of GAB with JGCT in a postmenopausal woman has been reported. In this report, we present an extremely rare case of ovarian GAB with JGCT in an elderly patient. A 65-year-old woman presented with an abdominal mass. Abdominopelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large multiseptated cystic mass measuring 20 cm. No peritoneal seeding, lymph node enlargement, or hematogenous metastasis was identified. Laboratory test showed a slight elevation of serum CA 125 level (37.1 U/mL). Based on the preoperative clinical impression of ovarian cancer, she underwent a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Grossly, the ovarian mass had a smooth and glistening surface without excrescences. The cut sections showed yellow-to-tan solid areas with foci of necrosis, myxoid degeneration, and hemorrhage, as well as multilocular cystic cavities filled with serosanguinous fluid. Histologically, the female component was characterized by JGCT displaying nodular growth patterns with follicle-like structures of various shapes and sizes. Most of the microcysts contained eosinophilic or basophilic secretions. The JGCT cells had indistinct cell borders, an abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and round-to-oval hyperchromatic nuclei with many mitotic figures. The SLCT component consisted predominantly of intermediately differentiated Sertoli cells forming lobulated solid nodules. They were arranged in cords, solid tubules, or nests, and possessed oval-to-spindle-shaped darkly stained nuclei and scant cytoplasm. In several foci, well-formed Sertoli cell tubules were loosely aggregated within areas of moderately differentiated SLCT. In summary, we described GAB in a postmenopausal woman with JGCT and SLCT as the female and male components, respectively. This is the second case of GAB with JGCT occurring in an elderly patient. Our findings can help pathologists and clinicians make accurate histological diagnoses of GAB with a JGCT component and plan an adequate treatment strategy for this rare tumor.

The Third-Decade of Abusive Supervision Research: The Role of Time and Emotion

Since Tepper’s (2000) work, abusive supervision has emerged as a solid research area. The first decade of research was devoted to the understanding of prevalence and perniciousness of abusive supervision. Demonstrating that scholarly interest in this construct has never been higher, the second decade of abusive supervision research was characterized with a series of qualitative and quantitative reviews focusing on clarifying the boundaries of abusive supervision (e.g., Mackey, Frieder, Brees, & Martinko, 2017; Martinko, Harvey, Brees, & Mackey, 2013; Schyns & Schilling 2013; Tepper, Simon, & Park, 2017; Zhang, Liu, Xu, Yang, & Bednall, 2019). A notable advance in the literature is the emergence of theoretical works in the Academy of Management Review, extending the boundary of abusive supervision by building new theory (Chan & McAllister, 2014; Oh & Farh, 2017; Vogel & Bolino, in press). Each of the papers provides a new avenue to the third decade of abusive supervision by emphasizing two major perspectives: a deeper consideration of time-based processes and an emphasis on emotion-based processes. Both foci have been the subject of discussion among abusive supervision scholars to date, yet the relative newness of these trends leaves many questions to be answered. The papers in this symposium take on this challenge. Two focus on the issue of time in different ways (e.g., inconsistency, temporal focus), and all four take up the issue of how emotions work in the abusive supervision episode. Overall, this symposium seeks to continue this ongoing conversation inspired by this new theory and provide answers to outstanding questions, while also setting a research agenda for the future. Swinging Between Abuse and Non-Abuse Across Time: A Polynomial Regression Approach Presenter: Seoin Yoon; Texas A&M U., College Station Presenter: Joel Koopman; Texas A&M U. Presenter: Nikolaos E. Dimotakis; Oklahoma State U. Presenter: Juanita Kimiyo Forrester; Mercer U. Presenter: Lauren Simon; U. of Arkansas Presenter: Bennett J. Tepper; Ohio State U. Presenter: Lindie Hanyu Liang; Wilfrid Laurier U. Presenter: Douglas J. Brown; U. of Waterloo Time Matters: Revisiting the Performance Consequences of Abusive Supervision Presenter: Lingtao Yu; U. of British Columbia Presenter: Michelle K Duffy; U. of Minnesota Presenter: Wu Wei; Wuhan U. Coping with Abuse: The Neutralizing Effects of Emotional Expressivity and Perspective Taking Presenter: Monique Alexandria Alvarez Domingo; U. of Connecticut Presenter: Jo K. Oh; U. of Connecticut Presenter: You Jin Kim; City U. of Hong Kong Presenter: Zhenyu Liao; Northeastern U. Presenter: Sunwook Chung; Sogang U. Social Information Processing and Third Party Reactions to Abusive Supervision Presenter: Chenduo Du; U. of Kentucky Presenter: Jie Li; Hong Kong U. of Science and Technology Presenter: Huiwen Lian; U. of Kentucky Presenter: Lance Ferris; Michigan State U. Presenter: Jingzhou Pan; Tianjin U.

Influence of A Cooled, Solid Lying Area on the Pen Fouling and Lying Behavior of Fattening Pigs

Increasing demands on animal welfare and the higher temperatures in summer due to climate change make it necessary to adapt conventional pig husbandry systems. A cooled, solid lying area has the potential to increase lying comfort and reduce the heat stress, which improves animal welfare. In the present study, the effect of a cooled, solid lying area on lying and elimination behavior was investigated. In two fattening compartments, eight pens with 28 pigs each were rebuilt. Two pen designs, different in feeder place and type, were tested. The floor was cooled from 24.5 to 20 °C by cool water in half of the pens. A total of 672 fattening pigs were tested over three fattening periods. The lying behavior was recorded by video analysis three times per week and three times per day. In the pens with a cooled lying area, 14% (SED 2.9; p = 0.002), respectively 12% (SED 0.9; p = 0.0382) more pigs were lying on the solid lying area. Additionally, the fouling of the animals was reduced by the cooling in one pen design; the results were derived from weekly scores (0.42 vs. 0.67; SED 0.058 p = 0.0006). The fouling of the pen was not affected by the floor cooling, however, the fouling in all pens was very low.

Soft tissue tumors characterized by a wide spectrum of kinase fusions share a lipofibromatosis-like neural tumor pattern.

Gene fusions resulting in oncogenic activation of various receptor tyrosine kinases, including NTRK1-3, ALK, and RET, have been increasingly recognized in soft tissue tumors (STTs), displaying a wide morphologic spectrum and therefore diagnostically challenging. A subset of STT with NTRK1 rearrangements were recently defined as lipofibromatosis-like neural tumors (LPFNTs), being characterized by mildly atypical spindle cells with a highly infiltrative growth in the subcutis and expression of S100 and CD34 immunostains. Other emerging morphologic phenotypes associated with kinase fusions include infantile/adult fibrosarcoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor-like patterns. In this study, a large cohort of 73 STT positive for various kinase fusions, including 44 previously published cases, was investigated for the presence of an LPFNT phenotype, to better define the incidence of this distinctive morphologic pattern and its relationship with various gene fusions. Surprisingly, half (36/73) of STT with kinase fusions showed at least a focal LPFNT component defined as >10%. Most of the tumors occurred in the subcutaneous tissues of the extremities (n = 25) and trunk (n = 9) of children or young adults (<30 years old) of both genders. Two-thirds (24/36) of these cases showed hybrid morphologies with alternating LPFNT and solid areas of monomorphic spindle to ovoid tumor cells with fascicular or haphazard arrangement, while one-third (12/36) had pure LPFNT morphology. Other common histologic findings included lymphocytic infiltrates, staghorn-like vessels, and perivascular or stromal hyalinization, especially in hybrid cases. Mitotic activity was generally low (<4/10 high power fields in 81% cases), being increased only in a minority of cases. Immunoreactivity for CD34 (92% in hybrid cases, 89% in pure cases) and S100 (89% in hybrid cases, 64% in pure cases) were commonly present. The gene rearrangements most commonly involved NTRK1 (75%), followed by RET (8%) and less commonly NTRK2, NTRK3, ROS1, ALK, and MET.

Bleeding Gastric Teratoma on Adult Patient

A 31-year-old patient presented with abdominal pain, hematemesis, and melena. Digestive endoscopy demonstrated a tumor in the lesser curvature. Computed tomography scan demonstrated an expansive, solid, and cystic mass, with central and intramural calcifications, located in the epigastrium, in close contact with the wall of the lesser curvature (Figure A). The patient developed acute anemia and underwent emergency surgery. The pathology report showed a giant gastric tumor measuring (12× 8× 5 cm). On serial sectioning, cystic and solid areas with mucinous material, adipose tissue, and scattered hairs (arrows) were identified (Figure B). Histopathology revealed several well-differentiated tissues derived from the germ layers, adipose tissue and skin with its appendages (Figure C). The Ki-67 was reactive in the basal layer of the squamous epithelium (Figure D). No malignancy was found in the tumor.

Highly efficient simultaneous catalytic degradation and defluorination of perfluorooctanoic acid by the H2O2-carbon/MnO2 system generating O2[rad]- and [rad]OH synchronously

Carbon/MnO2 composites including graphene/MnO2 and CNT/MnO2 were synthesized to treat perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) for the first time. Owing to the fast self-dispersion of carbon/MnO2 particles with H2O2 as the fuel, large solid surface area provided by carbon materials, and the effective simultaneous generation of OH and O2−, high PFOA degradation and defluorination efficiencies were achieved synchronously within 15 min. Interestingly, different OH scavengers showed opposite effects on PFOA degradation. The inhibition of PFOA degradation by nitrobenzene was due to the scavenging of OH resulting in the restraint of O2- generation. While the increasing PFOA degradation efficiency with the addition of high concentration of iso-propanol and tert-butyl alcohol was due to the less polarity of them than water resulting in the higher reactivity of O2−. Conclusively, the study provided a new alternative for the effective treatment of PFOA.

Preparation and characterization of porous alumina ceramics using sunflower seed shells as fugitive material

Abstract Porous alumina ceramics were prepared through the space holder technique, using ground sunflower seed shells as a fugitive material and uniaxial pressing for forming the green ceramics. Influences of the sunflower seed shell content on the shrinkage of the green bodies and porosity of sintered products were evaluated. The prepared ceramics were characterized for mechanical properties using the Brazilian disk test, and the porosity effect on the measured strength was determined. The microstructure was characterized by SEM. The sunflower seed shell content was varied from 0 to 60 wt%. Porosities within 29.9-71.0 vol% were achieved, and the strength of the obtained alumina ceramics decreased accordingly from 59.7 to 4.0 MPa. Additional samples, prepared with different compaction pressure, were characterized for electrical properties and showed high electrical insulation capability, which increased with porosity. Mechanical and electrical data were discussed based on theoretical models, namely the Gibson-Ashby model and/or the minimum solid area model.

An immersed boundary method for geometrical shock dynamics

A new algorithm is presented for the resolution of the Geometrical Shock Dynamics model in presence of obstacles in an Eulerian framework. The numerical method relies on a Fast-Marching like algorithm on a Cartesian grid, which allows dealing with complex geometrical configurations and shock waves interactions at a reduced computational cost. The application of an homogeneous Neumann condition at the border of rigid obstacles, not aligned with the mesh, is based on the Immersed Boundary Method. For a given obstacle, a set of ghost points is defined in the solid area and the corresponding unknown flow parameters are updated using a compatibility condition. A good agreement is observed between numerical results, experimental data and CFD simulations, both in 2D and 3D, which demonstrates the validity and the capabilities of this method.

Optimization of FIB-SEM Tomography and Reconstruction for Soft, Porous, and Poorly Conducting Materials.

Tomography using a focused ion beam (FIB) combined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is well-established for a wide range of conducting materials. However, performing FIB–SEM tomography on ion- and electron-beam-sensitive materials as well as poorly conducting soft materials remains challenging. Some common challenges include cross-sectioning artifacts, shadowing effects, and charging. Fully dense materials provide a planar cross section, whereas pores also expose subsurface areas of the planar cross-section surface. The image intensity of the subsurface areas gives rise to overlap between the grayscale intensity levels of the solid and pore areas, which complicates image processing and segmentation for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. To avoid the introduction of artifacts, the goal is to examine porous and poorly conducting soft materials as close as possible to their original state. This work presents a protocol for the optimization of FIB–SEM tomography parameters for porous and poorly conducting soft materials. The protocol reduces cross-sectioning artifacts, charging, and eliminates shadowing effects. In addition, it handles the subsurface and grayscale intensity overlap problems in image segmentation. The protocol was evaluated on porous polymer films which have both poor conductivity and pores. 3D reconstructions, with automated data segmentation, from three films with different porosities were successfully obtained.

MON-438 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Arising in a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: A Case Report

Introduction: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are uncommon benign congenital entities. Rarely, thyroid carcinoma can arise from a TGDC; the most common being papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Similar to TGDC, carcinomas originating within them can present as an asymptomatic midline neck mass. Signs of malignancy include dysphagia, dysphonia, weight loss, and rapid growth. Given the rarity of TGDC carcinomas, clinical management remains controversial, particularly regarding the requirement for total thyroidectomy. Case: A 52-year-old female with history of an anterior central neck mass initially noted in 2017. A 0.3-cm left lobe mid-segment cyst and a complex thyroglossal avascular simple cyst measuring 2.4 × 1.1 × 1.8 cm was observed during ultrasound (US). She presented to the endocrinology clinic in April 2019 due to progressive enlargement of the mass.Repeat thyroid US revealed that the cystic structure had become complex with a peripheral solid component and measured 3.3 × 2.1 × 2.2 cm. FNA was performed and found to be suspicious for PTC (Bethesda category V) and positive for the BRAF V600E mutation.Patient was referred for surgical evaluation. Physical examination revealed a midline anterior 10-cm, painless, and fixed mass above the thyroid that moved with deglutition and tongue protrusion. Contrast computed tomography scan showed a large multiloculated cystic structure measuring 4.1 × 4.4 × 5.9 cm. A lobulated soft tissue mass measuring 2.2 × 2.4 × 3.0 cm was noted internally along the inferior margin of the cyst. She underwent en-block resection of the TGDC in addition to a total thyroidectomy. Histopathological examination identified a 7.5 × 5.5 × 5.0 cm cystic mass with fluctuation and a firm, solid area in the lower portion measuring 2.6 × 2.4 cm. Thyroid gland examination was otherwise unremarkable. No areas of extension of the mass into the thyroid tissue were clearly identified and no other gross lesions were observed. The solid area within TGDC contained a tumor with findings characteristic of PTC. Postoperatively, she was placed on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Conclusion: The main difficulty encountered with cancer developing from TGDC is that the diagnosis is usually made during surgery and from definitive pathological samples. The most common surgical procedure used is the Sistrunk procedure. Some studies have suggested that this procedure alone is an adequate therapy, but others advocate the need for total thyroidectomy. The Sistrunk procedure is considered to be appropriate for low-risk patients, but high-risk patients must undergo total thyroidectomy. The decision to perform a total thyroidectomy in this patient was based on her high-risk classification due to: age, sex, cyst size, and a positive FNA for malignancy. Follow-up includes an annual physical examination, thyroglobulin levels, and an US every 6 months during the first year and annually thereafter.

SUN-181 A Case of Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma Within a Cortisol-Producing Adrenal Adenoma

Introduction:Metastasis within another tumor is rare, and exceedingly more rare within a functional adrenal adenoma. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive and rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. We present a patient with history of MCC who presented with an adrenal mass, found to be metastatic MCC within a cortisol-producing adrenal adenoma.Case description:54 year old male with a history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, MCC of right thigh, presented for adrenal mass. He was initially evaluated in the ER for severe abdominal pain for 4 days. He had a CT abdomen done, which showed 6cm right adrenal mass with extensive fat and soft tissue component within it. Hounsfield units within solid area measured up to 47 units, and surrounding area measured -3 Hounsfield units.His history was significant for MCC of right thigh, type 2 diabetes, HTN, obesity and OSA. Pathology from MCC resection showed no evidence of invasion and clear margins, but he did have microscopic focus on inguinal lymph node biopsy. His PET scan was negative except for low uptake in a 6cm right adrenal lesion that was considered benign-appearing. He completed radiation therapy to right thigh and groin.Physical exam was notably negative for any cushingoid features. Aldosterone, renin and plasma metanephrines were normal. Cortisol after dexamethasone suppression test was elevated, and ACTH and DHEAS were low, raising suspicion of Cushing’s syndrome. He had right adrenalectomy and was then started on steroid replacement. Pathology showed adrenocortical adenoma with a 2cm well-circumscribed mass within the adenoma positive for metastatic MCC with lymphovascular invasion. ACTH stimulation testing was performed at follow up after holding hydrocortisone for over 24 hours, and was consistent with suppression of glucocorticoid axis in the contralateral adrenal gland.Discussion:MCC and metastasis within a functional adrenal tumor are both rare occurrences. Our patient had positive regional lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis, and although the initial PET scan was interpreted as showing an benign adrenal adenoma, it is likely that this represented distant metastasis. Labs indicated that the surrounding adenoma was likely cortisol-producing. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of metastatic MCC within a functional adrenal adenoma.

Effect of Printing Parameters on Dimensional Error and Surface Roughness Obtained in Direct Ink Writing (DIW) Processes.

Prostheses made from ceramic materials have the advantages of producing little debris and having good durability, compared with those made from metal and plastic. For example, hip prostheses require a porous external area that allows their fixation by means of osseointegration and a solid internal area that will be in contact with the femoral head. The manufacturing of complex ceramic shapes, by means of machining processes, for example, is complicated and can lead to breakage of the parts because of their fragility. The direct ink writing (DIW) process allows the printing of ceramic pastes into complex shapes that achieve their final strength after a heat treatment operation. This paper studies both the dimensional error and surface finish of porous zirconia prismatic parts prior to sintering. The variables considered are infill, layer height, printing speed, extrusion multiplier and bed temperature. The responses are the dimensional error of the lateral walls of the samples and an areal roughness parameter, the arithmetical mean height, Sa. Mathematical models are found for each response, and multiobjective optimization is carried out by means of the desirability function. The dimensional error depends mainly on the interaction between layer height and infill, while the roughness on the interaction between infill and printing speed. Thus, infill is an important factor for both responses. In the future, the behavior of compact printed parts will be addressed.

Improved Biopsy Accuracy in Retroperitoneal Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma.

Biopsy sensitivity in retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is variable. Patients with grade 3 DDLPS face a significant risk of metastatic disease and may potentially benefit from neoadjuvant therapy, making highly accurate pretherapy diagnosis essential. Our study aimed to establish whether diagnostic sensitivity could be improved by targeting solid areas of tumor on percutaneous biopsy. Between 2016 and 2019, data on patients with suspected primary retroperitoneal sarcoma who underwent a biopsy were collected, and diagnostic accuracy was calculated. These data were compared with our previously reported series from 2005 to 2016. For DDLPS tumors, comparisons were then made between biopsies that targeted the solid component and those that did not. Data were available for 121 patients in the current series and 238 from the previous study. The proportion of biopsies returning a histological subtype concordant with postoperative pathology was 83% in the current series, marking a significant improvement over our previous study (67%, p = 0.001). For diagnosis of DDLPS, biopsy sensitivity improved from 40 to 74% (p < 0.001), with an increase from 13 to 50% (p = 0.006) where grade 3 DDLPS was treated as a separate disease. Within the current series, targeted biopsy yielded a sensitivity of 100% for identifying DDLPS, compared with 10% in nontargeted biopsy (p < 0.001). Systematic targeting of solid areas of tumor within suspected retroperitoneal liposarcoma has improved sensitivity for detection of both DDLPS and grade 3 DDLPS on biopsy. This approach minimizes the risk of underdiagnosis of patients with DDLPS who could benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Surgical Treatment of Massive Teratoma of the Orbit

Orbital location of teratoma is extremely rare. The differential diagnosis can be difficult and they may be mistaken for other tumors as they may have both cystic and solid areas. The authors report a case of a 7-day-old neonate with a massive congenital orbital teratoma in which it was decided to apply a surgical technique that involves the aspiration of the cystic fluid, the subsequent infusion of fibrin glue, and the radical excision. The definitive histological examination reported a diagnosis of trifillic cystic teratoma. At fourth year of follow up the patient is free from disease.

Intra-Cystic (In Situ) Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: A Clinico-Pathological Study of 14 Cases.

Aims: To report on the clinico-pathological features of a series of 14 intra-oral mucoepidermoid carcinomas showing exclusive intra-cystic growth.Materials and methods: All mucoepidermoid carcinomas diagnosed in the period 1990–2012 were retrieved; the original histological preparations were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and from selected cases, showing exclusive intra-cystic neoplastic components, additional sections were cut at three subsequent 200 m intervals and stained with Hematoxylin–Eosin, PAS, Mucicarmine and Alcian Blue, to possibly identify tumor invasion of the adjacent tissues, which could have been overlooked in the original histological preparations. Additionally, pertinent findings collected from the clinical charts and follow-up data were analyzed.Results: We identified 14 intraoral mucoepidermoid carcinomas treated by conservative surgery and with a minimum follow up of five years. The neoplasms were located in the hard palate (nine cases), the soft palate (two), the cheek (two) and the retromolar trigone (one). In all instances, histological examination revealed the presence of a single cystic space, containing clusters of columnar, intermediate, epidermoid, clear and mucous-producing cells, the latter exhibiting distinct intra-cytoplasmic mucin production, as confirmed by PAS, Mucicarmine and Alcian Blue stains. The cysts were entirely circumscribed by fibrous connective tissue, and no solid areas or infiltrating tumor cell clusters were detected. Conservative surgical resection was performed in all cases, and no recurrences or nodal metastases were observed during follow up.Conclusions: Mucoepidermoid carcinomas showing prominent (>20%) intra-cystic proliferation currently are considered low-grade tumors. In addition, we also unveil the possibility that mucoepidermoid carcinomas, at least in their early growth phase, may display an exclusive intra-cystic component and might be considered as in situ carcinomas, unable to infiltrate adjacent tissues and metastasize.