bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Radiative Effects of Global Ice Clouds Based on CloudSat and CALIPSO Measurements
Authors: Hong Yulan , Liu Guosheng , Li J.-L. F. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Although it is well established that cirrus warms Earth, the radiative effect of the entire spectrum of ice clouds is not well understood. In this study, the role of all ice clouds in Earth’s radiation budget is investigated by performing radiative transfer modeling using ice cloud properties retrieved from CloudSat and CALIPSO measurements as inputs. Results show that, for the 2008 period, the warming effect (~21.8 ± 5.4 W m−2) induced by ice clouds trapping longwave radiation exceeds their cooling effect (~−16.7 ± 1.7 W m−2) caused by shortwave reflection, resulting in a net warming effect (~5.1 ± 3.8 W m−2) globally on the earth–atmosphere system. The net warming is over 15 W m−2 in the tropical deep convective regions, whereas cooling occurs in the midlatitudes, which is less than 10 W m−2 in magnitude. Seasonal variations of ice cloud radiative effects are evident in the midlatitudes where the net effect changes from warming during winter to cooling during summer, whereas warming occurs all year-round in the tropics. Ice cloud optical depth τ is shown to be an important factor in determining the sign and magnitude of the net radiative effect. Ice clouds with τ &lt; 4.6 display a warming effect with the largest contributions from those with τ ≈ 1.0. In addition, ice clouds cause vertically differential heating and cooling of the atmosphere, particularly with strong heating in the upper troposphere over the tropics. At Earth’s surface, ice clouds produce a cooling effect no matter how small the τ value is.
Service Providers' Competences in Business Process Outsourcing for Delivering Successful Outcome: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Bharadwaj Sangeeta Shah , Saxena Kul Bhushan C 
Published: August 2016

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) has become a very competitive industry with many players in the market. The challenge all the BPO companies are facing is how to build and sustain business with the clients in such a competitive industry. The service providers can hardly compete on cost arbitration. On the one hand, they have to respond to their existing clients, who have tasted and achieved labour cost arbitration benefits and have started looking beyond this. On the other hand, they have to win new customers by providing value more than simply cost arbitration. With this business environment in mind, we have undertaken a study of service providers operating in India to explore what competences they have developed for successfully delivering the outcome. This research explores two competences of service providers: business process management competence relationship management competence. These two competences have the theoretical grounding in resource-based view and relationship theories. The study also identifies the fundamental competences required to strengthen the above two competences as human resource management competence, information technology management competence, and outsourcing management competence. It further explores whether the service provider can, with the help of these competences, deliver the intended business process outsourcing outcome. In order to understand the successful business process outsourcing outcome, classification of business processes as viewed by both the client and the service provider is considered desirable. From the clients' perspective, processes are classified as traditional, peripheral, critical, and strategic; as core, critical, and non-core non-critical; and as critical, key, and support. Similarly, from the service providers� perspective, the business processes are classified on complexity and criticality dimensions. This classification further helps in defining the successful BPO outcome as intended by the client. For example, when a non-core non-critical process is outsourced, the successful BPO outcome would be process efficiency in terms of cost reduction and improvement in the quality, and at the most process transformation through some innovation. Thus the study concludes that the business process management competence and relationship management competence will definitely help the service providers to deliver the BPO outcome. As an expansion of BPO literature, this research makes two significant contributions: It puts forth a conceptual model that focuses on the competences of the service provider required to deliver successful BPO outcome It identifies the critical competences and the foundation competences for doing the same.
Dilatation of the initially non-aneurysmal ascending aorta after replacement of a bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic valve
Authors: Zhang Jing , Fan Guangpu , Zhao Hui , Wang Xu , Wang Zhiwei , Zhang Peide , Wang Wei 
Published: August 2016

Objective To compare the aortic diameter after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with a bicuspid (BAV) or tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and an initially normal ascending aorta. Methods Patients with an ascending aortic diameter of < 45 mm who had undergone isolated AVR were studied. Ultrasonic cardiographic measurements of the ascending aortic diameter made pre- and postoperatively and follow-up data concerning adverse aortic events and death were analyzed. Results A total of 613 patients were included in this retrospective study; of these, 211 had a BAV and 402 had a TAV. In both groups, the ascending aorta significantly expanded but was non-aneurysmal during follow-up; however, the difference between the two groups was not significant. Cox regression analysis showed no significant effect associated with the presence of a BAV on adverse aortic events or death. Conclusion Dilatation of the ascending aorta was observed after AVR in both groups, but was not more pronounced in patients with a BAV. Long-term follow-up for ascending aortic aneurysm is necessary after AVR in both patients with a BAV and those with a TAV.
A culturally tailored Internet cancer support group for Asian American breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled pilot intervention study
Authors: Chee Wonshik , Lee Yaelim , Im Eun-Ok , Chee Eunice , Tsai Hsiu-Min , Nishigaki Masakazu , Yeo Seon Ae , Schapira Marilyn M. , Mao Jun James 
Published: August 2016

Introduction The necessity of culturally competent Internet Cancer Support Groups (ICSGs) for ethnic minorities has recently been highlighted in order to increase its attractiveness and usage. The purpose of this study was to determine the preliminary efficacy of a culturally tailored registered-nurse-moderated ICSG for Asian American breast cancer survivors in enhancing the women’s breast cancer survivorship experience. Methods The study included two phases: (a) a usability test and an expert review; and (b) a randomized controlled pilot intervention study. The usability test was conducted among five Asian American breast cancer survivors using a one-month online forum, and the expert review was conducted among five experts using the Cognitive Walkthrough method. The randomized controlled pilot intervention study (a pre-test and post-test design) was conducted among 65 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The data were analysed using content analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics including the repeated ANOVA. Results All users and experts positively evaluated the program and provided their suggestions for the display, educational contents, and user-friendly structure. There were significant positive changes in the support care needs and physical and psychological symptoms ( p < 0.05) of the control group. There were significant negative changes in the uncertainty level of the intervention group ( p < 0.10). Controlling for background and disease factors, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in physical and psychological symptoms and quality of life ( p < 0.10). Discussion The findings supported the positive effects of ICSGs on support care needs, psychological and physical symptoms, and quality of life.
A randomized trial of a community-based approach to dyslipidemia management
Authors: Tsuyuki Ross T. , Rosenthal Meagen , Pearson Glen J. 
Published: August 2016

Background: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease but is suboptimally managed. Pharmacists are accessible primary care professionals and with expanded scopes of practice (including prescribing), could identify and manage patients with dyslipidemia. We sought to evaluate the effect of pharmacist prescribing of dyslipidemia medications on the proportion of participants achieving target LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in 14 community pharmacies in Alberta, Canada. We enrolled adults with uncontrolled dyslipidemia as defined by the 2009 Canadian Dyslipidemia Guidelines. Intervention was pharmacist-directed dyslipidemia care, including assessment of cardiovascular risk, review of LDL-c, prescribing of medications, health behaviour interventions and follow-up every 6 weeks for 6 months. Usual care patients received their lipid results and a pamphlet on cardiovascular disease and usual care from their physician and pharmacist. Primary outcome was the proportion of participants achieving their target LDL-c (<2 mmol/L or ≥50% reduction) at 6 months between groups. Results: We enrolled 99 patients with a mean (SD) age of 63 (13) years, 49% male and baseline LDL-c of 3.37 mmol/L (0.98). Proportion of patients achieving LDL-c target was 43% intervention versus 18% control ( p = 0.007). Adjusted odds of achieving target LDL-c were 3.3 times higher for the intervention group ( p = 0.031), who also achieved greater reduction in LDL-c (1.12 mmol/L, SE = 0.112) versus control (0.42 mmol/L, SE = 0.109), for an adjusted mean difference of 0.546 mmol/L (SE = 0.157), p < 0.001. Conclusion: Pharmacist prescribing resulted in >3-fold more patients achieving target LDL-c levels. This could have major public health implications.
Patient perspectives on a personally controlled electronic health record used in regional Australia
Authors: Hanna Lisa , Gill Stephen D , Newstead Laura , Hawkins Melanie , Osborne Richard H 
Published: August 2016

Background: Personally controlled electronic health records (PCEHRs) are being implemented throughout Australia; yet few studies have investigated patients’ experiences of using a PCEHR. Aim: To explore patients’ experiences and perspectives of using a locally developed PCEHR implemented in an Australian health service. Method: Twelve patients completed individual semi-structured telephone interviews, which underwent inductive analysis. Results: Participants described two main interdependent advantages of PCEHRs: improved quality of healthcare through better information sharing and enhanced patient capacity for self-management. To realise these advantages, widespread acceptance and use of PCEHRs by healthcare providers is required, and PCEHRs need to be simple to use and accessible. Conclusion: PCEHRs can produce tangible benefits for patients. However, maximum benefits will be realised when PCEHRs contain a complete collection of relevant health information and are carefully designed for easy use.
The clinical and cost implications of failed endoscopic hemostasis in gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding
Authors: Roy Ann , Kim Micheline , Hawes Robert , Varadarajulu Shyam 
Published: August 2016

AimThe aim of this article is to evaluate the clinical and cost implications of failed endoscopic hemostasis in patients with gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding.MethodsA retrospective claims analysis of the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) file was conducted to identify all hospitalizations for gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding in the year 2012. The main outcome measures were to compare all‐cause mortality, total length of hospital stay (LOS), hospital costs and payment between patients managed with one upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy versus more than one UGI endoscopy or requiring interventional radiology‐guided hemostasis (IRH) or surgery after failed endoscopic attempt.ResultsThe MedPAR claims data evaluated 13,501 hospitalizations, of which 12,242 (90.6%) reported one UGI endoscopy, 817 (6.05%) reported >1 UGI endoscopy, 303 (2.24%) reported IRH after failed endoscopy and 139 (1.03%) reported surgeries after failed endoscopy. All cause‐mortality was significantly lower for patients who underwent only one UGI endoscopy (3%) compared to patients requiring >1 endoscopy (6%), IRH (9%) or surgery (14%), p  < 0.0001. The median LOS was significantly lower for patients who underwent only one UGI endoscopy (four days) compared to patients requiring >1 endoscopy (eight days), IRH (nine days) or surgery (15 days), p  < 0.0001. The median hospital costs were significantly lower for patients who underwent one UGI endoscopy ($10,518) compared to patients requiring >1 endoscopy ($20,055), IRH ($34,730) or surgery ($47,589), p  < 0.0001.ConclusionsFailure to achieve hemostasis at the index endoscopy has significant clinical and cost implications. When feasible, a repeat endoscopy must be attempted followed by IRH. Surgery should preferably be reserved as a last resort for patients who fail other treatment measures.
Multibody motion segmentation for an arbitrary number of independent motions
Authors: Sako Yutaro , Sugaya Yasuyuki 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
We propose a new method for segmenting feature point trajectories tracked through a video sequence without assuming a number of independent motions. Our method realizes motion segmentation of feature point trajectories by hierarchically separating the trajectories into two affine spaces in a situation that we do not know the number of independently moving objects. We judge that input trajectories should be separated by comparing the likelihoods computed from those trajectories before/after separation. We also consider integration of the resulting separated trajectories for avoiding too much segmentations. By using real video images, we confirmed the efficiency of our proposed method.
Acoustic-elastic coupled equation for ocean bottom seismic data elastic reverse time migration
Authors: Yu Pengfei , Geng Jianhua , Li Xiaobo , Wang Chenlong 
Published: August 2016

Conventionally, multicomponent geophones used to record the elastic wavefields in the solid seabed are necessary for ocean bottom seismic (OBS) data elastic reverse time migration (RTM). Particle velocity components are usually injected directly as boundary conditions in the elastic-wave equation in the receiver-side wavefield extrapolation step, which causes artifacts in the resulting elastic images. We have deduced a first-order acoustic-elastic coupled equation (AECE) by substituting pressure fields into the elastic velocity-stress equation (EVSE). AECE has three advantages for OBS data over EVSE when performing elastic RTM. First, the new equation unifies wave propagation in acoustic and elastic media. Second, the new equation separates P-waves directly during wavefield propagation. Third, three approaches are identified when using the receiver-side multicomponent particle velocity records and pressure records in elastic RTM processing: (1) particle velocity components are set as boundary conditions in receiver-side vectorial extrapolation with the AECE, which is equal to the elastic RTM using the conventional EVSE; (2) the pressure component may also be used for receiver-side scalar extrapolation with the AECE, and with which we can accomplish PP and PS images using only the pressure records and suppress most of the artifacts in the PP image with vectorial extrapolation; and (3) ocean-bottom 4C data can be simultaneously used for elastic images with receiver-side tensorial extrapolation using the AECE. Thus, the AECE may be used for conventional elastic RTM, but it also offers the flexibility to obtain PP and PS images using only pressure records.
Electromagnetic dispersion and sensitivity characteristics of carbonate reservoirs
Authors: Gao Yan , Shen Jinsong , He Zhanxiang , Ma Chao 
Published: August 2016

The need to develop a new measurement method for the identification of favorable hydrocarbon-producing zones in carbonate reservoirs is of great importance due to their complex pore structure and lithology. We have evaluated fundamental experimental data acquired from carbonate formation samples in a buried-hill reservoir to demonstrate the magnitude of the complex resistivity (CR) dispersion effect in oil-saturated carbonate rocks and the possibility of identifying hydrocarbon-bearing carbonate sections. Our experimental data set included CR measurements on four carbonate core samples with various degrees of oil saturation, and at each saturation level, CR measurements were acquired in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 100 kHz. The experimental data indicated that the intensity of the CR dispersion effect increased with oil saturation above a specific critical excitation frequency. The experimental spectra of the carbonate samples were fitted with the Debye model and the Cole-Cole model (CCM), which can be used to interpret the dispersion effect over a wide frequency range. Based on the experimental data and the inverted CCM parameters, a sensitivity study was carried out with the crosswell frequency-domain electromagnetic (EM) modeling. Multifrequency EM data were acquired directly by calculating the Maxwell equation with the CR. Our experimental data and forward modeling results indicated that measurement of induced polarization and EM coupling effects can be an effective means for identifying carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs and for quantitatively evaluating the effect of formation saturation on favorable conditions.
Amphibious fishes: evolution and phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Wright Patricia A. , Turko Andy J. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTAmphibious fishes spend part of their life in terrestrial habitats. The ability to tolerate life on land has evolved independently many times, with more than 200 extant species of amphibious fishes spanning 17 orders now reported. Many adaptations for life out of water have been described in the literature, and adaptive phenotypic plasticity may play an equally important role in promoting favourable matches between the terrestrial habitat and behavioural, physiological, biochemical and morphological characteristics. Amphibious fishes living at the interface of two very different environments must respond to issues relating to buoyancy/gravity, hydration/desiccation, low/high O2 availability, low/high CO2 accumulation and high/low NH3 solubility each time they traverse the air–water interface. Here, we review the literature for examples of plastic traits associated with the response to each of these challenges. Because there is evidence that phenotypic plasticity can facilitate the evolution of fixed traits in general, we summarize the types of investigations needed to more fully determine whether plasticity in extant amphibious fishes can provide indications of the strategies used during the evolution of terrestriality in tetrapods.
Intermuscular pressure between synergistic muscles correlates with muscle force
Authors: Reinhardt Lars , Siebert Tobias , Leichsenring Kay , Blickhan Reinhard , Böl Markus 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between muscle force generated during isometric contractions (i.e. at a constant muscle–tendon unit length) and the intermuscular (between adjacent muscles) pressure in synergistic muscles. Therefore, the pressure at the contact area of the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscle was measured synchronously to the force of the whole calf musculature in the rabbit species Oryctolagus cuniculus. Similar results were obtained when using a conductive pressure sensor, or a fibre-optic pressure transducer connected to a water-filled balloon. Both methods revealed a strong linear relationship between force and pressure in the ascending limb of the force-length relationship. The shape of the measured force–time and pressure–time traces was almost identical for each contraction (r=0.97). Intermuscular pressure ranged between 100 and 700 mbar (70,000 Pa) for forces up to 287 N. These pressures are similar to previous (intramuscular) recordings within skeletal muscles of different vertebrate species. Furthermore, our results suggest that the rise in intermuscular pressure during contraction may reduce the force production in muscle packages (compartments).
P450 aromatase: a key enzyme in the spermatogenesis of the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis sicula
Authors: Rosati Luigi , Agnese Marisa , Di Fiore Maria Maddalena , Andreuccetti Piero , Prisco Marina 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
P450 aromatase is a key enzyme in steroidogenesis involved in the conversion of testosterone into 17β-estradiol. We investigated the localization and the expression of P450 aromatase in Podarcis sicula testes during the different phases of the reproductive cycle: summer stasis (July–August), early autumnal resumption (September), middle autumnal resumption (October–November), winter stasis (December–February), spring resumption (March–April) and the reproductive period (May–June). Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that the P450 aromatase is always present in somatic and germ cells of P. sicula testis, particularly in spermatids and spermatozoa, except in early autumnal resumption, when P450 aromatase is evident only within Leydig cells. Using real-time PCR and semi-quantitative blot investigations, we also demonstrated that both mRNA and protein were expressed in all phases, with two peaks of expression occurring in summer and in winter stasis. These highest levels of P450 aromatase are in line with the increase of 17β-estradiol, responsible for the spermatogenesis block typical of this species. Differently, in autumnal resumption, the level of P450 aromatase dramatically decreased, along with 17β-estradiol levels, and testosterone titres increased, responsible for the subsequent renewal of spermatogenesis not followed by spermiation. In spring resumption and in the reproductive period we found intermediate P450 aromatase amounts, low levels of 17β-estradiol and the highest testosterone levels determining the resumption of spermatogenesis needed for reproduction. Our results, the first collected in a non-mammalian vertebrate, indicate a role of P450 aromatase in the control of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, particularly in spermiogenesis.
The high cost of reproduction in sea otters necessitates unique physiological adaptations
Authors: Thometz Nicole M. , Kendall Traci L. , Richter Beau P. , Williams Terrie M. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Superimposed on inherently high basal metabolic demands, the additional energetic requirements of reproduction can push female sea otters beyond physiological limits. Indeed, the resulting energy imbalance contributes to disproportionately high rates of mortality at the end of lactation in this species. To examine and quantify metabolic changes associated with reproduction, we measured the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of a female sea otter across gestation, lactation and non-reproductive periods. Concurrently, measurements were made on a non-breeding control female. Our results suggest that RMR declines during gestation. Conversely, RMR increases during lactation, reaches a peak at 3–4 months postpartum, and remains elevated until weaning. Combining these direct measurements with published data, we found the cost of pup rearing to be significantly higher than previously estimated. High baseline energy demands and limited energy reserves, combined with significant lactation and pup rearing costs, appear to necessitate metabolic and thermal lability during key reproductive stages.