bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Centralization and Directional Preference on Spinal Control in Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Authors: Apeldoorn Adri T. , van Helvoirt Hans , Meihuizen Hanneke , Tempelman Henk , Vandeput David , Knol Dirk L. , Kamper Steven J. , Ostelo Raymond W. 
Published: January 2016

Study Design Prospective cohort, test-retest design. Background Directional preference (DP) with centralization (CEN) and DP without CEN are common pain-pattern responses assessed by Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). Although there is evidence that MDT can reduce pain and disability in the short term by treating the patient with direction-specific exercises concordant with the patient's DP, the mechanism responsible for this is unclear. Objective To determine whether clinical signs of impaired spinal control improve immediately after eliciting a DP-with-CEN response or a DP-without-CEN response in patients with nonspecific low back pain. Methods Participants underwent a standardized MDT assessment and were classified into the following pain-pattern subgroups: DP with CEN, DP without CEN, or no DP. Clinical signs of impaired spinal control were assessed pre-MDT assessment and post-MDT assessment by an independent examiner. Four spinal control tests were conducted: aberrant lumbar movements while bending forward, the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test, the Trendelenburg test, and the prone instability test. Differences in spinal control pre-MDT assessment and post-MDT assessment were calculated for the 3 pain-pattern subgroups and compared with chi-square tests. We hypothesized that a larger proportion of patients in the DP-with-CEN subgroup would exhibit improved spinal control than patients categorized as DP without CEN or no DP. Results Of 114 patients recruited, 51 patients (44.7%) were categorized as DP with CEN, 23 (20.2%) as DP without CEN, and 40 (35.1%) as no DP. Before MDT assessment, between 28.9% (Trendelenburg test) and 63.7% (ASLR test) of patients showed impaired spinal control. After MDT assessment, a larger proportion of patients in the DP-with-CEN subgroup (43%) showed improvement than those in the no-DP subgroup (7%) on aberrant lumbar movements (P = .02). Likewise, more patients in the DP-with-CEN subgroup (50%) improved on the ASLR test than those in the no-DP subgroup (8%, P<.01) or the DP-without-CEN subgroup (7%, P = .01). Changes in Trendelenburg test and prone instability test outcomes did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion Immediately following MDT assessment, a larger proportion of patients with a DP-with-CEN pain pattern showed improvement in clinical signs of spinal control compared to patients with a DP-without-CEN or no-DP pain pattern. The current study was registered in the Dutch trial registry at http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/index.asp (NTR4246). Level of Evidence Therapy, level 2b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(4):258–269. Epub 26 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6158
Plantar Cutaneous Sensitivity With and Without Cognitive Loading in People With Chronic Ankle Instability, Copers, and Uninjured Controls
Authors: Burcal Christopher J. , Wikstrom Erik A. 
Published: January 2016

Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Background Deficits in light touch have recently been identified on the plantar surface of the foot in those with chronic ankle instability (CAI) but not in uninjured controls. It is unknown whether copers display similar deficits. Similarly, cognitive loading has been shown to impact postural control in different populations, but it is unclear how it may impact sensory perception. Objectives To evaluate the difference in cutaneous sensation thresholds at rest and under cognitive loading, using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWMs), among uninjured controls, copers, and those with CAI. Methods A total of 45 participants (mean ± SD age, 20.2 ± 2.8 years; height, 167.6 ± 9.9 cm; mass, 66.3 ± 14.7 kg) were recruited and categorized to a CAI, coper, or control group, based on Ankle Instability Instrument scores. Participants were assessed with SWMs for cutaneous thresholds using a 4-2-1 stepping algorithm at the head of the first metatarsal, base of the fifth metatarsal, calcaneus, and sinus tarsi. Each participant was then retested while generating random digits to the beat of a metronome in order to simulate cognitive loading. Results Participants with CAI displayed significantly higher SWM thresholds at the head of the first metatarsal, base of the fifth metatarsal, and sinus tarsi than those of the control participants, and significantly higher thresholds at the base of the fifth metatarsal and calcaneus than those of copers (all, P<.05). Copers showed higher thresholds than those of controls at the sinus tarsi only (P<.05). A main effect of cognitive loading was identified at all 4 sites (P<.05). Conclusion People with CAI have deficits in plantar sensation relative to controls and copers. Cognitive loading increases plantar cutaneous sensation thresholds irrespective of CAI status. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(4):270–276. Epub 26 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6351
QUANTIFYING AND PREDICTING THE PRESENCE OF CLOUDS IN EXOPLANET ATMOSPHERES
Authors: Stevenson Kevin B. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
One of the most outstanding issues in exoplanet characterization is understanding the prevalence of obscuring clouds and hazes in their atmospheres. The ability to predict the presence of clouds/hazes a priori is an important goal when faced with limited telescope resources and advancements in atmospheric characterization that rely on the detection of spectroscopic features. As a means to identify favorable targets for future studies with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and James Webb Space Telescope, we use published HST/WFC3 transmission spectra to determine the strength of each planet's water feature, as defined by the H2O – J index. By expressing this parameter in units of atmospheric scale height, we provide a means to efficiently compare the size of spectral features over a physically diverse sample of exoplanets. We find the H2O – J index to be strongly correlated with planet temperature when T
eq

K and weakly correlated with surface gravity for planets with

dex. Otherwise, the median value of the H2O – J index is 1.8 ± 0.3 H. Using these two physical parameters, we identify a division between “classes” of exoplanets, such that objects above T
eq = 700 K and

dex are more likely to have clearer atmospheres with stronger spectral features (H2O – J > 1) and those below at least one of these thresholds are increasingly likely to have predominantly cloudy atmospheres with muted spectral features (H2O – J < 1). Additional high-precision measurements are needed to corroborate the reported trends.
Turkish Senior Nursing Students' Communication Experience With English-Speaking Patients
Authors: Guvenc Gulten , Unver Vesile , Basak Tulay , Yuksel Cigdem , Ayhan Hatice , Kok Gulsah , Konukbay Dilek , Kose Gulsah , Aslan Ozlem , Tastan Sevinc , Iyigun Emine 
Published: January 2016

Background:
Simulation has been widely accepted as a valuable learning method in nursing education programs so that nursing students can learn and develop communication skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate nursing students' communication experience with an English-speaking standardized patient in the context of the Rational Administration of Medicines course.

Method:
Involving both quantitative and qualitative research designs, this descriptive study was conducted with 104 nursing students in Ankara, Turkey, from September 2012 to July 2013.

Results:
The majority (98.1%) of the participants stated the necessity of improving their English to communicate with English-speaking patients. Three overarching categories, including seven themes, emerged from the description of nursing students' experience: recognition of emotions, experiences during the simulation, and gains.

Conclusion:

Standardized patient practice emphasized the significance of cultural differences, of knowing and using a foreign language, of communication, and of patient safety. [
J Nurs Educ
. 2016;55(2):73–81.]
Comparison of Mental Health Characteristics and Stress Between Baccalaureate Nursing Students and Non-Nursing Students
Authors: Bartlett Michelle L. , Taylor Heidi , Nelson J. Dirk 
Published: January 2016

Background:
Nurses consistently report the highest levels of job stress among all health professionals. To best prepare students for such a high-stress profession, insights into the onset of stress is warranted, especially with the literature supporting that nursing students experience significant stress during their education.

Method:
This study sought to explore the sources of stress among nursing students and to compare stress levels and selected mental health indicators between nursing students and the general student body using the paper-and-pencil version of the National College Health Assessment II.

Results:
Nursing students were found to have significantly more stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and stress-related illnesses than the general student body.

Conclusion:

The findings highlight the importance of self-care and stress management skills education in nurse preparatory programs for use in both academic preparation and in future careers. [
J Nurs Educ.
2016;55(2):87–90.]
Time-Domain Numerical Solutions of Maxwell Interface Problems with Discontinuous Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Zhang Ya , Nguyen Duc Duy , Du Kewei , Xu Jin , Zhao Shan 
Published: January 2016

Abstract.This paper is devoted to time domain numerical solutions of two-dimensional (2D) material interface problems governed by the transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) Maxwell's equations with discontinuous electromagnetic solutions. Due to the discontinuity in wave solutions across the interface, the usual numerical methods will converge slowly or even fail to converge. This calls for the development of advanced interface treatments for popular Maxwell solvers. We will investigate such interface treatments by considering two typical Maxwell solvers – one based on collocation formulation and another based on Galerkin formulation. To restore the accuracy reduction of the collocation finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm near an interface, the physical jump conditions relating discontinuous wave solutions on both sides of the interface must be rigorously enforced. For this purpose, a novel matched interface and boundary (MIB) scheme is proposed in this work, in which new jump conditions are derived so that the discontinuous and staggered features of electric and magnetic field components can be accommodated. The resulting MIB time-domain (MIBTD) scheme satisfies the jump conditions locally and suppresses the staircase approximation errors completely over the Yee lattices. In the discontinuous Galerkin time-domain (DGTD) algorithm – a popular GalerkinMaxwell solver, a proper numerical flux can be designed to accurately capture the jumps in the electromagnetic waves across the interface and automatically preserves the discontinuity in the explicit time integration. The DGTD solution to Maxwell interface problems is explored in this work, by considering a nodal based high order discontinuous Galerkin method. In benchmark TM and TE tests with analytical solutions, both MIBTD and DGTD schemes achieve the second order of accuracy in solving circular interfaces. In comparison, the numerical convergence of the MIBTD method is slightly more uniform, while the DGTD method is more flexible and robust.
Two-Grid Finite Element Methods for the Steady Navier-Stokes/Darcy Model
Authors: Zhao Jing , Zhang Tong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTwo-grid finite element methods for the steady Navier-Stokes/Darcy model are considered. Stability and optimal error estimates in theH1-norm for velocity and piezometric approximations and theL2-norm for pressure are established under mesh sizes satisfyingh = H2. A modified decoupled and linearised two-grid algorithm is developed, together with some associated optimal error estimates. Our method and results extend and improve an earlier investigation, and some numerical computations illustrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the new algorithm.
Improving aerosol interaction with clouds and precipitation in a regional chemical weather modeling system
Authors: Zhou C. , Zhang X. , Gong S. , Wang Y. , Xue M. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract. A comprehensive aerosol–cloud–precipitation interaction (ACI) scheme has been developed under a China Meteorological Administration (CMA) chemical weather modeling system, GRAPES/CUACE (Global/Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System, CMA Unified Atmospheric Chemistry Environment). Calculated by a sectional aerosol activation scheme based on the information of size and mass from CUACE and the thermal-dynamic and humid states from the weather model GRAPES at each time step, the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are interactively fed online into a two-moment cloud scheme (WRF Double-Moment 6-class scheme – WDM6) and a convective parameterization to drive cloud physics and precipitation formation processes. The modeling system has been applied to study the ACI for January 2013 when several persistent haze-fog events and eight precipitation events occurred.The results show that aerosols that interact with the WDM6 in GRAPES/CUACE obviously increase the total cloud water, liquid water content, and cloud droplet number concentrations, while decreasing the mean diameters of cloud droplets with varying magnitudes of the changes in each case and region. These interactive microphysical properties of clouds improve the calculation of their collection growth rates in some regions and hence the precipitation rate and distributions in the model, showing 24 to 48 % enhancements of threat score for 6 h precipitation in almost all regions. The aerosols that interact with the WDM6 also reduce the regional mean bias of temperature by 3 °C during certain precipitation events, but the monthly means bias is only reduced by about 0.3 °C.
Possible influence of atmospheric circulations on winter haze pollution in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, northern China
Authors: Zhang Z. , Zhang X. , Gong D. , Kim S.-J. , Mao R. , Zhao X. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract. Using the daily records derived from the synoptic weather stations and the NCEP/NCAR and ERA-Interim reanalysis data, the variability of the winter haze pollution (indicated by the mean visibility and number of hazy days) in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region during the period 1981 to 2015 and its relationship with the atmospheric circulations at middle–high latitude were analyzed in this study. The winter haze pollution in BTH had distinct inter-annual and inter-decadal variabilities without a significant long-term trend. According to the spatial distribution of correlation coefficients, six atmospheric circulation indices (I1 to I6) were defined from the key areas in sea level pressure (SLP), zonal and meridional winds at 850 hPa (U850, V850), geopotential height field at 500 hPa (H500), zonal wind at 200 hPa (U200), and air temperature at 200 hPa (T200), respectively. All of the six indices have significant and stable correlations with the winter visibility and number of hazy days in BTH. In the raw (unfiltered) correlations, the correlation coefficients between the six indices and the winter visibility (number of hazy days) varied from 0.57 (0.47) to 0.76 (0.6) with an average of 0.65 (0.54); in the high-frequency ( < 10 years) correlations, the coefficients varied from 0.62 (0.58) to 0.8 (0.69) with an average of 0.69 (0.64). The six circulation indices together can explain 77.7 % (78.7 %) and 61.7 % (69.1 %) variances of the winter visibility and the number of hazy days in the year-to-year (inter-annual) variability, respectively. The increase in Ic (a comprehensive index derived from the six individual circulation indices) can cause a shallowing of the East Asian trough at the middle troposphere and a weakening of the Siberian high-pressure field at sea level, and is then accompanied by a reduction (increase) of horizontal advection and vertical convection (relative humidity) in the lowest troposphere and a reduced boundary layer height in BTH and its neighboring areas, which are favorable for the formation of haze pollution in BTH winter, and vice versa. The high level of the prediction statistics and the reasonable mechanism suggested that the winter haze pollution in BTH can be forecasted or estimated credibly based on the optimized atmospheric circulation indices. Thus it is helpful for government decision-making departments to take action in advance in dealing with probably severe haze pollution in BTH indicated by the atmospheric circulation conditions.
Fine particulate matter in the tropical environment: monsoonal effects, source apportionment, and health risk assessment
Authors: Khan M. F. , Latif M. T. , Saw W. H. , Amil N. , Nadzir M. S. M. , Sahani M. , Tahir N. M. , Chung J. X. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract. The health implications of PM2.5 in the tropical region of Southeast Asia (SEA) are significant as PM2.5 can pose serious health concerns. PM2.5 concentration and sources here are strongly influenced by changes in the monsoon regime from the south-west quadrant to the north-east quadrant in the region. In this work, PM2.5 samples were collected at a semi-urban area using a high-volume air sampler at different seasons on 24 h basis. Analysis of trace elements and water-soluble ions was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and ion chromatography (IC), respectively. Apportionment analysis of PM2.5 was carried out using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) positive matrix factorization (PMF) 5.0 and a mass closure model. We quantitatively characterized the health risks posed to human populations through the inhalation of selected heavy metals in PM2.5. 48 % of the samples collected exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) 24 h PM2.5 guideline but only 19 % of the samples exceeded 24 h US EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The PM2.5 concentration was slightly higher during the north-east monsoon compared to south-west monsoon. The main trace metals identified were As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Mn, V, and Cr while the main ions were SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, and Na. The mass closure model identified four major sources of PM2.5 that account for 55 % of total mass balance. The four sources are mineral matter (MIN) (35 %), secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) (11 %), sea salt (SS) (7 %), and trace elements (TE) (2 %). PMF 5.0 elucidated five potential sources: motor vehicle emissions coupled with biomass burning (31 %) were the most dominant, followed by marine/sulfate aerosol (20 %), coal burning (19 %), nitrate aerosol (17 %), and mineral/road dust (13 %). The hazard quotient (HQ) for four selected metals (Pb, As, Cd, and Ni) in PM2.5 mass was highest in PM2.5 mass from the coal burning source and least in PM2.5 mass originating from the mineral/road dust source. The main carcinogenic heavy metal of concern to health at the current location was As; the other heavy metals (Ni, Pb, and Cd) did not pose a significant cancer risk in PM2.5 mass concentration. Overall, the associated lifetime cancer risk posed by the exposure of hazardous metals in PM2.5 is 3–4 per 1 000 000 people at this location.
Observations of cloud microphysics and ice formation during COPE
Authors: Taylor J. W. , Choularton T. W. , Blyth A. M. , Liu Z. , Bower K. N. , Crosier J. , Gallagher M. W. , Williams P. I. , Dorsey J. R. , Flynn M. J. , Bennett L. J. , Huang Y. , French J. , Korolev A. , Brown P. R. A. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract. We present microphysical observations of cumulus clouds measured over the southwest peninsula of the UK during the COnvective Precipitation Experiment (COPE) in August 2013, which are framed into a wider context using ground-based and airborne radar measurements. Two lines of cumulus clouds formed in the early afternoon along convergence lines aligned with the peninsula. The lines became longer and broader during the afternoon due to new cell formation and stratiform regions forming downwind of the convective cells. Ice concentrations up to 350 L−1, well in excess of the expected ice nuclei (IN) concentrations, were measured in the mature stratiform regions, suggesting that secondary ice production was active. Detailed sampling focused on an isolated liquid cloud that glaciated as it matured to merge with a band of cloud downwind. In the initial cell, drizzle concentrations increased from  ∼ 0.5 to  ∼ 20 L−1 in around 20 min. Ice concentrations developed up to a few per litre, which is around the level expected of primary IN. The ice images were most consistent with freezing drizzle, rather than smaller cloud drops or interstitial IN forming the first ice. As new cells emerged in and around the cloud, ice concentrations up to 2 orders of magnitude higher than the predicted IN concentrations developed, and the cloud glaciated over a period of 12–15 min. Almost all of the first ice particles to be observed were frozen drops, while vapour-grown ice crystals were dominant in the latter stages. Our observations are consistent with the production of large numbers of small secondary ice crystals/fragments, by a mechanism such as Hallett–Mossop or droplets shattering upon freezing. Some of the small ice froze drizzle drops on contact, while others grew more slowly by vapour deposition. Graupel and columns were seen in cloud penetrations up to the −12 °C level, though many ice particles were mixed habit due to riming and growth by vapour deposition at multiple temperatures. Our observations demonstrate that the freezing of drizzle/raindrops is an important process that dominates the formation of large ice in the intermediate stages of cloud development. As these frozen drops were the first precipitation observed, interactions between the warm-rain and secondary ice production processes appear to be key to determining the timing and location of precipitation.
Microbial nutrient limitation in Arctic lakes in a permafrost landscape of southwest Greenland
Authors: Burpee B. , Saros J. E. , Northington R. M. , Simon K. S. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract. Permafrost is degrading across regions of the Arctic, which can lead to increases in nutrient concentrations in surface freshwaters. The oligotrophic state of many Arctic lakes suggests that enhanced nutrient inputs may have important effects on these systems, but little is known about microbial nutrient limitation patterns in these lakes. We investigated microbial extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs) to infer seasonal nutrient dynamics and limitation across 24 lakes in southwest Greenland during summer (June and July). From early to late summer, enzyme activities that indicate microbial carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) demand increased in both the epilimnia and hypolimnia by 74  % on average. Microbial investment in P acquisition was generally higher than that for N. Interactions among EEAs indicated that microbes were primarily P-limited. Dissolved organic matter (DOM, measured as dissolved organic carbon) was strongly and positively correlated with microbial P demand (R2  =  0.84 in July), while there were no relationships between DOM and microbial N demand. Microbial P limitation in June epilimnia (R2  =  0.67) and July hypolimnia (R2  =  0.57) increased with DOM concentration. The consistency of microbial P limitation from June to July was related to the amount of DOM present, with some low-DOM lakes becoming N-limited in July. Our results suggest that future changes in P or DOM inputs to these lakes are likely to alter microbial nutrient limitation patterns.