bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural, electronic, optical and elastic properties of layered rhombohedral compounds ALaSe2(A=K, Rb): Insights from an ab initio study
Authors: Azzouz L. , Halit M. , Allal A. , Maabed S. , Bouchenafa M. , Ahmed R. , Seddik T. , Bouhemadou A. , Khenata R. 
Published: April 2019

We report the results of first-principles calculations regarding the structural parameters, elastic moduli, electronic structure and optical properties of the ternary rhombohedral layered compounds, KLaSe2 and RbLaSe2. These calculations were performed by employing the pseudo-potential plane-wave (PP-PW) method. Although the calculated structural parameters (a, c, V, c/a, bond-length d) using different exchange and correlation approximations are found in nice harmony with the available experimental data, the best agreement is obtained with the GGA-PW91 functional. The effect of the K–Rb substitution is noted very clearly on the degree of ionic bonding of the A–Se bond (A[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]K, Rb). The electronic band structure and the density of states (DoS) plots reveal the semiconducting characteristics of both compounds with an indirect bandgap energy, E[Formula: see text] of about 2 eV. The mechanical stability of the ALaSe2 compounds is investigated for the first time by calculating the single-crystal elastic constants C[Formula: see text] using the stress-strain approach. In order to understand the linear optical properties of the studied systems, frequency-dependent polarized optical functions were computed for an energy range from 0.0 eV to 18 eV. Our calculated optical spectra reveal the isotropic nature of the optical properties of the ALaSe2 compounds.
Study on improvement of tensile strength in lap-welding of pure titanium using disk laser
Authors: Kim Ji Sung , Kim Jong-Do 
Published: April 2019

Laser welding has the benefit of hardly causing welding deformation as it requires less heat input than existing welding methods. The heat input is determined by the laser output and welding speed, and the penetration depth, bead width, joining length, and bead shape are varied depending on these two welding parameters. In this study, bead and lap welding were performed on a thin pure titanium plate with a thickness of 0.5 mm using a disk laser with a maximum output of 3.3 kW. Weldability was evaluated by observing the penetration depth, bead width, joining length, and bead shape for different laser outputs and welding speeds. Results show that a weld zone with excellent joining length can be obtained for an output of 1.1 kW and speed of 2.5 m/min, as well as for an output of 1.3 kW and speed of 3.5 m/min in lap welding. Tensile-shear test was conducted with the specimens under these two conditions to investigate their mechanical characteristics.
Synthesis of Composite Carbon-Based Nano-Zero-Valent Iron Micro-Electrolytic Material and Removal of Dichloromethanesulfonic Acid in Drinking Water
Authors: Liu Kai , Shangguan Zhonghua , Zhang Xiaohang , Shi Yali , Wang Hao , Yang Shipeng , He Xuwen 
Published: April 2019

Composite carbon-based nano-zero-valent iron materials not only have excellent characteristics of nano materials, but also solve the difficulty of recycling nano materials after use, and overcome the shortcomings of the nano materials. The introduction of copper increases the redox reaction activity of the micro-electrolytic material and expands the applicable pH range of the reaction environment. In the range of pH [Formula: see text] 3–9, the removal efficiency of dichloromethanesulfonic acid (Cl2-MSA) was maintained at 95.5–99.7% after 30[Formula: see text]min. Continuous dynamic simulation experiments verified that the composite carbon-based nano zero-valent iron material has a stable removal effect on the target pollutants.
Lineage-Specific Alterations in Gynecologic Neoplasms with Choriocarcinomatous Differentiation: Implications for Origin and Therapeutics
Authors: Xing Deyin , Zheng Gang , Pallavajjala Aparna , Schoolmeester J. Kenneth , Liu Yuehua , Haley Lisa , Hu Yan , Liu Li , Logan Lisa , Lin Yuan , Pearce Kathryn E. , Sattler Christopher A. , Tsai Ya Chea , Vang Russell , Hung Chien-Fu , Wu T.-C. , Ronnett Brigitte M. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Purpose:
Choriocarcinoma is most commonly gestational (androgenetic or biparental) but can be of germ cell origin or can develop as a component of a somatic neoplasm (genetically related to the patient). The latter type are aggressive neoplasms for which the underlying genetic alterations are not well characterized.

Experimental Design:
To investigate the relationship between the different components of somatic neoplasms with choriocarcinomatous elements, the genetic differences between gestational and nongestational tumors, and identify potential targetable alterations, we analyzed 23 samples from 11 tumors, including five gynecologic-type somatic neoplasms with choriocarcinomatous differentiation (two to three different components each) and six pure choriocarcinomas, for somatic mutations, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and PD-L1 expression.

Results:
In mixed tumors, gynecologic-type carcinoma components demonstrated lineage-characteristic and lineage-specific alterations, with choriocarcinomatous components sharing some of these as well as demonstrating novel alterations, supporting a clonal relationship with divergent differentiation of the choriocarcinoma from the somatic carcinoma. TP53 mutation only occurred in nongestational tumors. Diffuse PD-L1 expression was characteristic of choriocarcinoma in both pure and mixed tumors but not seen in the gynecologic-type carcinoma components.

Conclusions:
Given that the somatic carcinomatous and choriocarcinomatous components of mixed tumors have distinct genetic alterations and biomarker expression, separate analysis of these components is required to guide targeted therapy. High PD-L1 expression suggests a role for checkpoint inhibitor–based immunotherapy in tumors with a choriocarcinoma component. The underlying mechanisms by which cancer stem cells reprogram and initiate trophoblastic retrodifferentiation in some somatic tumors warrant further investigation.
Mexiletine Shortens the QT Interval in Patients With Potassium Channel–Mediated Type 2 Long QT Syndrome
Authors: Bos J. Martijn , Crotti Lia , Rohatgi Ram K. , Castelletti Silvia , Dagradi Federica , Schwartz Peter J. , Ackerman Michael J. 
Published: April 2019

Background:
Long QT syndrome is a potentially lethal yet highly treatable cardiac channelopathy. Although β-blocker therapy is standard for most patients, concomitant therapy with sodium channel blockers, like mexiletine, is often utilized for patients with sodium channel–mediated type 3 long QT syndrome (LQT3). The potential role of sodium channel blockers in patients with potassium channel–mediated long QT syndrome (ie, LQT1 and LQT2) has not been investigated in detail.

Methods:
We performed a retrospective chart review on 12 patients (5 females; median age at diagnosis 14.1 years (interquartile range [IQR], 7.7–23; range, 0–59, median heart rate–corrected QT interval [QTc] at diagnosis 557 ms (IQR, 529–605) with genetically established LQT2 (10) or a combination of LQT1/LQT2 (1) or LQT2/LQT3 (1), who received mexiletine. Data were collected on symptomatic status, treatments, and breakthrough cardiac events after diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Additionally, 12-lead ECGs were collected at diagnosis, before initiation of mexiletine and following mexiletine to evaluate the drug’s effect on QTc.

Results:

Before diagnosis, 6 patients were symptomatic and, before initiation of mexiletine, 4 patients experienced ≥1 breakthrough cardiac event on β-blocker. Median age at first mexiletine dose was 24.3 years (IQR, 14–32.4). After mexiletine, the median QTc decreased by 65±45 ms from 547 ms (IQR, 488–558) premexiletine to 470 ms (IQR, 409–529) postmexiletine (
P
=0.0005) for all patients. In 8 patients (67%), the QTc decreased by ≥ 40 ms with a mean decrease in QTc of 91 ms (
P
< 0.008). For the 11 patients maintained on mexiletine therapy, there have been no breakthrough cardiac events during follow-up.

Conclusions:
Although commonly prescribed in patients with LQT3, mexiletine also shortens the QTc significantly in two-thirds of a small subset of patients with potassium channel–mediated LQT2. In patients with LQT2, pharmacological targeting of the physiological late sodium current may provide added therapeutic efficacy to β-blocker therapy.
Evaluating Climate Model Simulations of the Radiative Forcing and Radiative Response at Earth’s Surface
Authors: Kramer Ryan J. , Soden Brian J. , Pendergrass Angeline G. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe analyze the radiative forcing and radiative response at Earth’s surface, where perturbations in the radiation budget regulate the atmospheric hydrological cycle. By applying a radiative kernel-regression technique to CMIP5 climate model simulations where CO2 is instantaneously quadrupled, we evaluate the intermodel spread in surface instantaneous radiative forcing, radiative adjustments to this forcing, and radiative responses to surface warming. The cloud radiative adjustment to CO2 forcing and the temperature-mediated cloud radiative response exhibit significant intermodel spread. In contrast to its counterpart at the top of the atmosphere, the temperature-mediated cloud radiative response at the surface is found to be positive in some models and negative in others. Also, the compensation between the temperature-mediated lapse rate and water vapor radiative responses found in top-of-atmosphere calculations is not present for surface radiative flux changes. Instantaneous radiative forcing at the surface is rarely reported for model simulations; as a result, intermodel differences have not previously been evaluated in global climate models. We demonstrate that the instantaneous radiative forcing is the largest contributor to intermodel spread in effective radiative forcing at the surface. We also find evidence of differences in radiative parameterizations in current models and argue that this is a significant, but largely overlooked, source of bias in climate change simulations.
The Interdecadal Change of Summer Water Vapor over the Tibetan Plateau and Associated Mechanisms
Authors: Zhou Changyan , Zhao Ping , Chen Junming 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
In recent decades, long-term changes of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) water vapor and the associated mechanisms have not been investigated fully. This study aims to examine the interdecadal change of summer TP water vapor using the monthly mean European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts interim reanalysis during 1979–2014. The results show a drier phase in the TP during 1979–94, with a subsequent wetter phase, which suggests an interdecadal variation of summer TP water vapor around the middle of the 1990s. This interdecadal variation is mainly due to a significant change of the water vapor export on the eastern boundary of the TP, which is closely associated with a summer atmospheric circulation anomaly near Lake Baikal. When a cyclonic (an anticyclonic) anomaly occurs near Lake Baikal, there is less (more) water vapor over the TP. On the interdecadal scale, the atmospheric circulation anomaly near Lake Baikal is related to an extratropical large-scale anomalous wave train over the northwestern Atlantic–East Asian region, with an eastward propagation of the anomalous wave energy from the Atlantic to East Asia. Climate model simulations further demonstrate an impact of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the northwestern Atlantic on the anomalous wave train. Both the extratropical tropospheric anomalous wave train and the anomalous atmospheric circulation near Lake Baikal are successfully simulated by changing the summer northwestern Atlantic SST. Therefore the warming northwestern Atlantic is an important factor contributing to the wetting TP in recent decades.
Mixed Layer Depth and Sea Surface Warming under Diurnally Cycling Surface Heat Flux in the Heating Season
Authors: Ushijima Yusuke , Yoshikawa Yutaka 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn the present study, large-eddy simulations (LESs) were performed to investigate mixed layer depth (MLD) and sea surface warming (SSW) under diurnally cycling surface heat flux in the heating season, in which a mixed layer (ML) is shoaling on intraseasonal time scales. The LES results showed that the diurnal cycle makes the MLD greater (smaller) at lower (higher) latitudes than the MLD without the cycle. Time scales of the wind-induced shear and the surface heat are a key to understand this latitudinal dependence of the diurnal cycle effects. The wind-induced shear-driven turbulence developed from early morning and became strongest at half the inertial period (Ti/2), while nighttime cooling weakened the ML stratification until the end of the nighttime (T24 = 24 h). At lower latitudes where Ti/2 > T24 (lower than 15°), the shear-driven turbulence continued to grow after T24 and determined the time of the greatest MLD. Thus, the shear-driven turbulence shaped the latitudinal dependence of the MLD, though convective turbulence helped further deepening of the ML. At higher latitudes (Ti/2 < T24), on the other hand, the shear-driven turbulence ceased growing before the nighttime cooling ended. However, reduced stratification due to the nighttime cooling supported the shear-driven turbulence to continue deepening the ML. Thus, the nighttime cooling shaped the latitudinal dependence of the MLD at higher latitudes. The MLD change induced by the diurnal cycle altered the SSW rate. At higher latitudes, the diurnal cycle is expected to reduce the MLD and increase the SSW by 10% in the heating season.
Can Stroboscopic Training Improve Judgments of Time-to-Collision?
Authors: Braly Adam M. , DeLucia Patricia R. 
Published: April 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether training with stroboscopic viewing could improve time-to-collision (TTC) judgments, which have importance in real-world tasks such as driving. Background: Prior research demonstrated that training with stroboscopic vision can improve motion coherence thresholds, improve anticipatory timing performance for laterally moving objects, and can protect against performance degradation over time. Method: Participants viewed computer simulations of an object that moved and then disappeared. In two separate experiments, the object approached the observer or moved laterally toward a target, representing different optical flow patterns. Participants judged TTC by pressing a button when they thought the object would hit them (approach), or the target (lateral). Performance was measured during four sessions—pretest, intervention, immediately after intervention, and 10 min after intervention. Results: Both stroboscopic training and repeated practice improved performance over time for approach motion (decrease in constant error) and stroboscopic training protected against performance degradation for lateral motion (no decrement in variable error), but only when TTC was 3.0 s. There was no difference between training and repeated practice. Conclusion: Under certain conditions, stroboscopic training may improve TTC judgments. However, effects of stroboscopic training depend on the nature of the optical flow pattern. Application: It is important to determine the conditions under which training can improve TTC judgments which have importance in real-world tasks such as driving. If individuals can be trained to judge TTC more accurately, they may benefit from driver training programs.
Percutaneous curved vertebroplasty in the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Cheng Yonghong , Liu Yiming 
Published: April 2019

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous curved vertebroplasty (PCVP) in treating thoracic and lumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Methods Patients with thoracolumbar OVCFs were recruited and randomly divided into three treatment groups: PCVP, unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or bilateral PVP. Bone cement dispersion in the fractured vertebrae was observed. Surgery duration, X-ray frequency, bone cement injection volume, bone cement leakage rate and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded. Results Among 78 patients included, surgery duration and X-ray frequency were significantly lower in the PCVP and unilateral PVP groups versus bilateral PVP group. Bone cement injection volume was significantly higher in the bilateral PVP group (6.3 ± 1.4 ml) versus unilateral PVP (3.5 ± 1.1 ml) and PCVP groups (4.6 ± 1.2 ml). VAS scores at 24 h and 3 months post-surgery were significantly decreased versus baseline in all groups. The bone cement leakage rate was lowest in the PCVP group (8.8% [3/34 patients]). Conclusion PCVP is associated with reduced trauma, less complicated surgery with shorter duration, fewer X-rays, lower complication rate, and quicker postoperative recovery versus unilateral and bilateral PVP.
Serum substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide levels in infants with acute intussusception
Authors: Zhu Zhen-chuang , Wang Hai-bin , Yan Xue-qiang , Yang Jun , Duan Xu-fei , Bian Hong-qiang , Kuang Hou-fang 
Published: April 2019

Objective We aimed to investigate the role of the intestinal neurotransmitters vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) at different time points in infants with acute intussusception. Methods Thirty patients who were diagnosed with acute intussusception were enrolled in the study and classified as the experimental group. Another 30 patients with an indirect inguinal hernia who had no intestinal injury were included as the control group. Serum SP and VIP levels at different time points, including pre- and postoperation, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared between the two groups. Results Serum SP levels in patients with acute intussusception were significantly higher than those in controls. However, with recovery of acute intussusception, SP levels gradually decreased after treatment. Serum VIP levels in patients with acute intussusception were significantly lower than those in controls. However, with recovery of acute intussusception, VIP levels gradually increased after treatment. Conclusions SP and VIP levels may have a potential relationship with the pathogenetic process of intussusception.
Dietary Transition in India: Temporal and Regional Trends, 1993 to 2012
Authors: Tak Mehroosh , Shankar Bhavani , Kadiyala Suneetha 
Published: April 2019

Background: Rapid economic growth, urbanization, and globalization have resulted in dietary transformation in India. Triple burden of malnutrition remains a significant concern, with high prevalence of undernutrition, widespread micronutrient deficiencies, and rising obesity. Objective: This article reviews the dietary transition in India by analyzing trends in food consumption across time and space. Methods: Household consumption survey data from 1993 to 2012 are analyzed to examine both national- and state-level trends to investigate how diets have changed and vary across the country. Typical Indian diets are characterized using k-mean cluster analysis and associated with socioeconomic and geographical aspects. Results: The article finds that on average Indian household diets have diversified slowly but steadily since the 90s. Indians diets have shifted away from cereals to higher consumption of milk. However, progress on micronutrient-rich food groups such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and egg has been worryingly slow. Even by 2012, about a fifth of rural Indian households did not consume fruits or milk, while more than half of both urban and rural households did not consume any meat, fish, or eggs. Five predominant dietary types are identified. Sections of the Indian households do consume reasonably balanced diets, but large percentages consume cereal-focused, dairy-focused, or processed food heavy diets with high processed food content. Conclusions: Diets in India have not transformed sufficiently to overcome major gaps in intakes of micronutrient-rich foods. Large regional heterogeneities in diets call for regionally differentiated strategies to improve diets.
Variability of optic nerve sheath diameter in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Kozaci Nalan , Avci Mustafa , Caliskan Gulsum , Yuksel Serkan 
Published: April 2019

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the first cause of disability in the world. It holds an important place in hospital admissions and health expenses in the industrialized world. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter and the findings of brain computerized tomography scans and brain diffusion-weighted imaging and investigate the variability of optic nerve sheath diameter measured by ultrasonography in acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Patients who had acute ischemic stroke were included in Group A. Healthy adults were included in Group B as the control group. In addition, according to computerized tomography scans and diffusion-weighted imaging findings, Group A was divided into three subgroups. Patients with normal computerized tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging were included in Group 1, patients with normal computerized tomography and ischemic area on diffusion-weighted imaging were included in Group 2, and patients with ischemic area on computerized tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging were included in Group 3. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in Group A and 100 healthy adults included in Group B. The optic nerve sheath diameter values of Groups A and B were 5.4 ± 0.6 and 4.2 ± 0.4 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. The optic nerve sheath diameter cutoff value for detection of acute ischemic stroke was determined as 4.7 mm. The sensitivity and specificity at this cutoff value were determined as 89% and 90%, respectively. According to computerized tomography scans and diffusion-weighted imaging findings, there were 18 patients in Group 1, 56 patients in Group 2, and 26 patients in Group 3. Time from onset of symptoms to presentation to emergency department was shortest in Group 1 (3.0 ± 1.8 h). The widest optic nerve sheath diameter was calculated in Group 3 (optic nerve sheath diameter: 5.7 ± 0.6 mm). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the optic nerve sheath diameter increases in acute ischemic stroke and it increases earlier than computerized tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging alteration occur. Therefore, optic nerve sheath diameter can be applied to assist the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke with other imaging techniques with equivocal/negative results and determination of appropriate treatment, especially in cases with normal computerized tomography scan and diffusion-weighted imaging.