bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antarctic and Southern Ocean Surface Temperatures in CMIP5 Models in the Context of the Surface Energy Budget*
Authors: Schneider David P. , Reusch David B. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
This study examines the biases, intermodel spread, and intermodel range of surface air temperature (SAT) across the Antarctic ice sheet and Southern Ocean in 26 structurally different climate models. Over the ocean (40°–60°S), an ensemble-mean warm bias peaks in late austral summer concurrently with the peak in the intermodel range of SAT. This warm bias lags a spring–summer positive bias in net surface radiation due to weak shortwave cloud forcing and is gradually reduced during autumn and winter. For the ice sheet, inconsistencies among reanalyses and observational datasets give low confidence in the ensemble-mean bias of SAT, but a small summer warm bias is suggested in comparison with nonreanalysis SAT data. The ensemble mean hides a large intermodel range of SAT, which peaks during the summer insolation maximum. In summer on the ice sheet, the SAT intermodel spread is largely associated with the surface albedo. In winter, models universally exhibit a too-strong deficit in net surface radiation related to the downward longwave radiation, implying that the lower atmosphere is too stable. This radiation deficit is balanced by the transfer of sensible heat toward the surface (which largely explains the intermodel spread in SAT) and by a subsurface heat flux. The winter bias in downward longwave radiation is due to the longwave cloud radiative effect, which the ensemble mean underestimates by a factor of 2. The implications of these results for improving climate simulations over Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are discussed.
Atmospheric Diabatic Heating in Different Weather States and the General Circulation
Authors: Rossow William B. , Zhang Yuanchong , Tselioudis George 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Analysis of multiple global satellite products identifies distinctive weather states of the atmosphere from the mesoscale pattern of cloud properties and quantifies the associated diabatic heating/cooling by radiative flux divergence, precipitation, and surface sensible heat flux. The results show that the forcing for the atmospheric general circulation is a very dynamic process, varying strongly at weather space–time scales, comprising relatively infrequent, strong heating events by “stormy” weather and more nearly continuous, weak cooling by “fair” weather. Such behavior undercuts the value of analyses of time-averaged energy exchanges in observations or numerical models. It is proposed that an analysis of the joint time-related variations of the global weather states and the general circulation on weather space–time scales might be used to establish useful “feedback like” relationships between cloud processes and the large-scale circulation.
Measurement of Incoming Radiation below Forest Canopies: A Comparison of Different Radiometer Configurations
Authors: Webster Clare , Rutter Nick , Zahner Franziska , Jonas Tobias 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Ground-based, subcanopy measurements of incoming shortwave and longwave radiation are frequently used to drive and validate energy balance and snowmelt models. These subcanopy measurements are frequently obtained using different configurations (linear or distributed; stationary or moving) of radiometer arrays that are installed to capture the spatial and temporal variability of longwave and shortwave radiation. Three different radiometer configurations (stationary distributed, stationary linear, and moving linear) were deployed in a spruce forest in the eastern Swiss Alps during a 9-month period, capturing the annual range of sun angles and sky conditions. Results showed a strong seasonal variation in differences between measurements of shortwave transmissivity between the three configurations, whereas differences in longwave enhancement appeared to be seasonally independent. Shortwave transmissivity showed a larger spatial variation in the subcanopy than longwave enhancement at this field site. The two linear configurations showed the greatest similarity in shortwave transmissivity measurements, and the measurements of longwave enhancement were largely similar between all three configurations. A reduction in the number of radiometers in each array reduced the similarities between each stationary configuration. The differences presented here are taken to reflect the natural threshold of spatial noise in subcanopy measurements that can be expected between the three configurations.
Three-Dimensional Distribution of Turbulent Mixing in the South China Sea
Authors: Yang Qingxuan , Zhao Wei , Liang Xinfeng , Tian Jiwei 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA three-dimensional distribution of turbulent mixing in the South China Sea (SCS) is obtained for the first time, using the Gregg–Henyey–Polzin parameterization and hydrographic observations from 2005 to 2012. Results indicate that turbulent mixing generally increases with depth in the SCS, reaching the order of 10−2 m2 s−1 at depth. In the horizontal direction, turbulence is more active in the northern SCS than in the south and is more active in the east than the west. Two mixing “hotspots” are identified in the bottom water of the Luzon Strait and Zhongsha Island Chain area, where diapycnal diffusivity values are around 3 × 10−2 m2 s−1. Potential mechanisms responsible for these spatial patterns are discussed, which include internal tide, bottom bathymetry, and near-inertial energy.
Regional Soil Moisture Biases and Their Influence on WRF Model Temperature Forecasts over the Intermountain West
Authors: Massey Jeffrey D. , Steenburgh W. James , Knievel Jason C. , Cheng William Y. Y. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Operational Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model forecasts run over Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) in northwest Utah, produced by the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Four-Dimensional Weather System (4DWX), underpredict the amplitude of the diurnal temperature cycle during September and October. Mean afternoon [2000 UTC (1300 LST)] and early morning [1100 UTC (0400 LST)] 2-m temperature bias errors evaluated against 195 surface stations using 6- and 12-h forecasts are –1.37° and 1.66°C, respectively. Bias errors relative to soundings and 4DWX-DPG analyses illustrate that the afternoon cold bias extends from the surface to above the top of the planetary boundary layer, whereas the early morning warm bias develops in the lowest model levels and is confined to valleys and basins. These biases are largest during mostly clear conditions and are caused primarily by a regional overestimation of near-surface soil moisture in operational land surface analyses, which do not currently assimilate in situ soil moisture observations. Bias correction of these soil moisture analyses using data from 42 North American Soil Moisture Database stations throughout the Intermountain West reduces both the afternoon and early morning bias errors and improves forecasts of upper-level temperature and stability. These results illustrate that the assimilation of in situ and remotely sensed soil moisture observations, including those from the recently launched NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, have the potential to greatly improve land surface analyses and near-surface temperature forecasts over arid regions.
A Horizontal Index for the Influence of Upper-Level Environmental Flow on Tropical Cyclone Intensity
Authors: Qian Yu-Kun , Liang Chang-Xia , Peng Shiqiu , Chen Shumin , Wang Sihua 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
A horizontal map of the upper-level forcing index (ULFI) is constructed to show the possible influence of upper-level large-scale environmental flow on the intensity change of tropical cyclones (TCs). The ULFI includes three commonly used diagnostics, that is, 200-hPa eddy flux convergences of both relative (REFC) and planetary angular momentum (PEFC), as well as axisymmetric absolute vorticity as a denominator that rescales the strength of the eddy forcings similar to the outflow-layer inertial stability. A simple procedure is adopted to convert these storm-relative components and the ULFI into Eulerian horizontal maps. Applications of this index map to three selected TC cases clearly demonstrate the process of upper-level TC–environment interaction: when a TC moves into a region of high (low) index, significant upper-level asymmetric forcing is exerted on the TC, leading to the strengthening (weakening) of the TC’s axisymmetric outflow and then possibly its intensity. As such, the horizontal map of ULFI not only provides a quantitative way of estimating the strength of upper-level asymmetric forcing at each grid point, but also serves as an indicator showing where the possible intensity change of a TC would occur under the influence of upper-level environmental flow. The index is thus recommended to be used in future studies of TC–environment interaction.
Association between remote implantable cardioverter defibrillator monitoring and beta-blocker utilization: An analysis from the EFFECT study
Authors: D’Onofrio Antonio , Stabile Giuseppe , Capucci Alessandro , Amellone Claudia , De Simone Antonio , Leoni Loira , Morani Giovanni , Bianchi Valter , Campari Monica , Valsecchi Sergio , Buja Gianfranco 
Published: December 2015

Introduction A substantial number of heart failure patients undergoing implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) fail to receive beta-blockers, or receive them at a suboptimal dose. Remote monitoring (RM) is becoming the standard means of following up recipients of ICDs. However, the impact of this shift toward remote ICD follow-up on the quality of drug therapy management in current clinical practice is unknown. The present analysis was aimed at investigating the impact of RM on the dose of beta-blockers achieved, and its association with clinical outcome at 12 months. Methods Altogether 987 consecutive patients were enrolled and followed up for at least 12 months in 25 Italian centres. RM was adopted by 499 patients. Results The number of patients receiving beta-blockers at any dose decreased after 12 months (from 403 (81%) to 370 (74%) for the remote arm and from 389 (80%) to 342 (70%) for the standard arm, both p < 0.02). Nonetheless, the number of patients on beta-blockers at the effective dose increased in both arms (from 60 (12%) to 82 (16%) for remote and from 63 (13%) to 98 (20%) for standard arms respectively, both p < 0.05). At multivariate analysis, RM was not associated with an effective dose of beta-blockers at the follow-up evaluation. However, the adoption of RM ( p = 0.003) and the achievement of the effective dose of beta-blockers ( p = 0.006) were independently and positively associated with an improved outcome. Discussion In a ‘real-world’ setting, we did not find an association between RM and the achieved dose of beta-blockers. However, we reported outcome benefits in achieving the effective dose of beta-blockers during follow-up and in adopting RM.
Medical specialists' knowledge, perceptions and views about generic medicines in Malaysia: Findings from a qualitative study and the implications
Authors: Wong Zhi Y , Hassali Mohamed A , Alrasheedy Alian A , Saleem Fahad , M Yahaya Abdul Haniff , Aljadhey Hisham , Khan Tahir M 
Published: December 2015

Background and objective Medical specialists have an essential role in promotion of generic medicines. However, misconceptions and negative perceptions about generic medicines among them could be a barrier to utilization of generic medicines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore their knowledge, perceptions and views about generic medicines. Methods A qualitative methodology was adopted in this study. A qualitative descriptive study with phenomenology overtones was the research strategy. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of medical specialists until saturation of data was achieved. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Then, the subsequent transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. The themes were generated using both deductive (theoretical) and inductive coding. To ensure reliability of data analysis, peer review and independent analysis of the data were done. Results Five major themes were identified: (1) factors affecting specialists' prescribing practice with regard to generic medicines and original brand medicines, (2) specialists' perceptions of efficacy, safety and quality of generic medicines, (3) specialists' knowledge and confidence with Malaysian generic regulatory approval system, (4) drug information sources used by the specialists and (5) international non-proprietary name prescribing. Conclusion The study findings showed that several factors influenced prescribing decision with regard to the brands of the medicines including familiarity and experience with generic medicines, clinical condition of the patient, availability of the medicine brand in the hospital and department financial allocations. Moreover, misconceptions about quality, safety, efficacy and bioequivalence of generic medicines were prevalent among some participants. Furthermore, many participants were not familiar with the Malaysian generic medicines approval system. Therefore, medical specialists' concerns need to be addressed. Some recommendations and suggestions were made to improve generic medicines utilization in the country.
The visualization of flow paths in experimental studies of clay-rich materials
Authors: Wiseall A. C. , Cuss R. J. , Graham C. C. , Harrington J. F. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractOne of the most challenging aspects of understanding the flow of gas and water during testing in clay-rich low-permeability materials is the difficulty in visualizing localized flow. Whilst understanding has been increased using X-ray Computed-tomography (CT) scanning, synchrotron X-ray imaging and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging, real-time testing is problematic under realistic in situ conditions confining pressures, which require steel pressure vessels. These methods tend not to have the nano-metre scale resolution necessary for clay mineral visualization, and are generally not compatible with the long duration necessary to investigate flow in such materials. Therefore other methods are necessary to visualize flow paths during post-mortem analysis of test samples. Several methodologies have been established at the British Geological Survey (BGS), in order to visualize flow paths both directly and indirectly. These include: (1) the injection of fluorescein-stained water or deuterium oxide; (2) the introduction of nanoparticles that are transported by carrier gas; (3) the use of radiologically tagged gas; and (4) the development of apparatus for the direct visualization of clay. These methodologies have greatly increased our understanding of the transport of water and gas through intact and fractured clay-rich materials. The body of evidence for gas transport through the formation of dilatant pathways is now considerable. This study presents observations using a new apparatus to directly visualize the flow of gas in a kaolinite paste. The results presented provide an insight into the flow of gas in clay-rich rocks. The flow of gas through dilatant pathways has been shown in a number of argillaceous materials (Angeli et al., 2009; Autio et al., 2006; Cuss et al., 2014; Harrington et al., 2012). These pathways are pressure induced and an increase in gas pressure leads to the dilation of pathways. Once the gas breakthrough occurs, pressure decreases and pathways begin to close. This new approach is providing a unique insight into the complex processes involved during the onset, development and closure of these dilatant gas pathways.
Uranium fate during crystallization of magnetite from ferrihydrite in conditions relevant to the disposal of radioactive waste
Authors: Marshall Timothy A. , Morris Katherine , Law Gareth T.W. , W. Mosselmans J. Frederick , Bots Pieter , Roberts Hannah , Shaw Samuel 
Published: December 2015

AbstractUranium incorporation into magnetite and its behaviour during subsequent oxidation has been investigated at high pH to determine the uranium retention mechanism(s) on formation and oxidative perturbation of magnetite in systems relevant to radioactive waste disposal. Ferrihydrite was exposed to U(VI)aq containing cement leachates (pH 10.5–13.1) and crystallization of magnetite was induced via addition of Fe(II)aq. A combination of XRD, chemical extraction and XAS techniques provided direct evidence that U(VI) was reduced and incorporated into the magnetite structure, possibly as U(V), with a significant fraction recalcitrant to oxidative remobilization. Immobilization of U(VI) by reduction and incorporation into magnetite at high pH, and with significant stability upon reoxidation, has clear and important implications for limiting uranium migration in geological disposal of radioactive wastes.
Bioreduction of iodate in sediment microcosms
Authors: Guido-Garcia Fabiola , Law Gareth T. W. , Lloyd Jonathan R. , Lythgoe Paul , Morris Katherine 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIodine-129 is a high-yield fission product formed in nuclear reactors and is a risk-driving radionuclide in both contaminated land and radioactive waste disposal due to its high mobility and long half-life. Here, the bioreduction behaviour of iodate was investigated by tracking iodine speciation and concentration in solution during the development of progressive anoxia in sediment microcosm experiments incubated at neutral pH. Experiments with acetate added as an electron donor showed the expected cascade of terminal electron-accepting processes. Analysis of solution chemistry showed reduction of iodate to iodide during the early stages of metal (Mn(IV) and Fe(III)) reduction, but with no significant retention of iodine species on solids. There was, however, a net release of natural iodine associated with the sediments to solution when robust iron reduction / sulfate reduction had developed. In addition, over 210 days, the controls with no electron donor and the sterile controls showed no Mn(IV) or Fe(III) reduction but displayed modest sorption of iodate to the sediments in the absence of bioreduction. Overall these results show that under oxic conditions iodate may be partially sorbed to sediments over extended periods but that development of mildly reducing conditions leads to the reductive release of iodine to solution as iodide.
Evaluation of temperature-induced effects on safety-relevant properties of clay host rocks with regard to HLW/SF disposal
Authors: Jobmann M. , Meleshyn A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractDBE TECHNOLOGY, BGR and GRS are developing a methodology to demonstrate the safety of a repository for high-level waste and spent fuel (HLW/SF) in clays according to the requirements of the German regulating body. In particular, these requirements prescribe that the barrier effect of host rocks must not be compromised by a thermal impact resulting from HLW/SF emplacement. To substantiate and quantify this requirement, we carried out a literature survey of research on thermally-induced changes on clay properties. Effects thus compiled can be divided into thermo-hydro-mechanical and chemical-biological-mineralogical effects and were analysed with regard to their relevance to the integrity of clay host rocks. This analysis identified one effect of major influence within each group: thermal expansion and compaction as well as results of microbial activities. Importantly, it further revealed that a moderate temperature increase above 100°C cannot be expected to compromise the integrity of the geological barrier according to the current knowledge state. Evidence is presented in this paper that temperature increases up to 150°C can actually contribute to an improved performance of a radioactive waste repository by increasing the consolidation of the clay and sterilizing the repository's near-field to depress the deteriorative microbial effects. A quantitative temperature criterion for thermal impact of HLW/SF on clay host rocks is accordingly proposed.
Factors affecting the dissociation of metal ions from humic substances
Authors: Bryan Nick , Jones Dominic , Keepax Rose , Farrelly Dean , Abrahamsen Liam , Beard Rebecca , Li Nigel , Weir George 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPreviously, it has been suggested that metal ions complexed to humic acid in the environment might show slower dissociation than those added to humic substances in the laboratory, which has serious implications for the transport of radionuclides in the environment. The dissociation of lanthanide and anthropogenic actinide ions from humic substance complexes has been studied as a function of humic concentration and metal ion:humic concentration ratio. The results suggest that the apparently slower kinetics observed for metal ions complexed in the environment are probably due to the large humic concentrations that are used in those studies. Further, there is no evidence that the dissociation rate constant varies at very low metal ion concentrations. Although humic samples size-fractionated by ultrafiltration showed that more metal may be bound non-exchangeably, there was no evidence for different rate constants. Ultrafiltration of Eu(III)/humic acid mixtures did show a shift in Eu from smaller to larger fractions over a period of two days. Therefore, the results suggest that dissociation rate constants determined in the laboratory at metal ion concentrations higher than those expected in the environment may be used in predicting radionuclide mobility, provided that the humic acid concentration is in the range expected at the site.
Radiation damage from long-term alpha particle bombardment of silicates – a microfocus XRD and Fe K-edge XANES study
Authors: Bower W. R. , Pearce C. I. , Droop G. T. R. , Mosselmans J. F. W. , Geraki K. , Pattrick R. A. D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA detailed understanding of the response of mineral phases to the radiation fields experienced in a geological disposal facility (GDF) is currently poorly constrained. Prolongued ion irradiation has the potential to affect both the physical integrity and oxidation state of materials and therefore may alter a structure's ability to react with radionuclides. Radiohalos (spheres of radiation damage in minerals surrounding radioactive (α-emitting) inclusions) provide useful analogues for studying long term α-particle damage accumulation. In this study, silicate minerals adjacent to Th- and U-rich monazite and zircon were probed for redox changes and long/short range disorder using microfocus X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and high resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD) at Beamline I18, Diamond Light Source. Fe3+ → Fe2+ reduction has been demonstrated in an amphibole sample containing structural OH– groups – a trend not observed in anhydrous phases such as garnet. Coincident with the findings of Pattrick et al. (2013), the radiolytic breakdown of OH– groups is postulated to liberate Fe3+ reducing electrons. Across all samples, high point defect densities and minor lattice aberrations are apparent adjacent to the radioactive inclusion, demonstrated by micro-XRD.