bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrieval of an Available Water-Based Soil Moisture Proxy from Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing. Part I: Methodology and Validation
Authors: Hain Christopher R. , Mecikalski John R. , Anderson Martha C. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
A retrieval of available water fraction ( fAW) is proposed using surface flux estimates from satellite-based thermal infrared (TIR) imagery and the Atmosphere–Land Exchange Inversion (ALEXI) model. Available water serves as a proxy for soil moisture conditions, where fAW can be converted to volumetric soil moisture through two soil texture dependents parameters—field capacity and permanent wilting point. The ability of ALEXI to provide valuable information about the partitioning of the surface energy budget, which can be largely dictated by soil moisture conditions, accommodates the retrieval of an average fAW over the surface to the rooting depth of the active vegetation. For this method, the fraction of actual to potential evapotranspiration ( fPET) is computed from an ALEXI estimate of latent heat flux and potential evapotranspiration (PET). The ALEXI-estimated fPET can be related to fAW in the soil profile. Four unique fPET to fAW relationships are proposed and validated against Oklahoma Mesonet soil moisture observations within a series of composite periods during the warm seasons of 2002–04. Using the validation results, the most representative of the four relationships is chosen and shown to produce reasonable (mean absolute errors values less than 20%) fAW estimates when compared to Oklahoma Mesonet observations. Quantitative comparisons between ALEXI and modeled fAW estimates from the Eta Data Assimilation System (EDAS) are also performed to assess the possible advantages of using ALEXI soil moisture estimates within numerical weather predication (NWP) simulations. This TIR retrieval technique is advantageous over microwave techniques because of the ability to indirectly sense fAW—and hence soil moisture conditions—extending into the root-zone layer. Retrievals are also possible over dense vegetation cover and are available on spatial resolutions on the order of the native TIR imagery. A notable disadvantage is the inability to retrieve fAW conditions through cloud cover.
Northwest Territories and Nunavut Snow Characteristics from a Subarctic Traverse: Implications for Passive Microwave Remote Sensing
Authors: Derksen Chris , Silis Arvids , Sturm Matthew , Holmgren Jon , Liston Glen E. , Huntington Henry , Solie Daniel 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
During April 2007, a coordinated series of snow measurements was made across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada, during a snowmobile traverse from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Baker Lake, Nunavut. The purpose of the measurements was to document the general nature of the snowpack across this region for the evaluation of satellite- and model-derived estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE). Although detailed, local snow measurements have been made as part of ongoing studies at tundra field sites (e.g., Daring Lake and Trail Valley Creek in the Northwest Territories; Toolik Lake and the Kuparak River basin in Alaska), systematic measurements at the regional scale have not been previously collected across this region of northern Canada. The snow cover consisted of depth hoar and wind slab with small and ephemeral fractions of new, recent, and icy snow. The snow was shallow (&lt;40 cm deep), usually with fewer than six layers. Where snow was deposited on lake and river ice, it was shallower, denser, and more metamorphosed than where it was deposited on tundra. Although highly variable locally, no longitudinal gradients in snow distribution, magnitude, or structure were detected. This regional homogeneity allowed us to identify that the observed spatial variability in passive microwave brightness temperatures was related to subgrid fractional lake cover. Correlation analysis between lake fraction and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) brightness temperature showed frequency dependent, seasonally evolving relationships consistent with lake ice drivers. Simulations of lake ice thickness and snow depth on lake ice produced from the Canadian Lake Ice Model (CLIMo) indicated that at low frequencies (6.9, 10.7 GHz), correlations with lake fraction were consistent through the winter season, whereas at higher frequencies (18.7, 36.5 GHz), the strength and direction of the correlations evolved consistently with the penetration depth as the influence of the subice water was replaced by emissions from the ice and snowpack. A regional rain-on-snow event created a surface ice lens that was detectable using the AMSR-E 36.5-GHz polarization gradient due to a strong response at the horizontal polarization. The appropriate polarization for remote sensing of the tundra snowpack depends on the application: horizontal measurements are suitable for ice lens detection; vertically polarized measurements are appropriate for deriving SWE estimates.
An Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis of the Southern California Current Circulation and Ecosystem
Authors: Moore Andrew M. , Arango Hernan G. , Di Lorenzo Emanuele , Miller Arthur J. , Cornuelle Bruce D. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Adjoint methods of sensitivity analysis were applied to the California Current using the Regional Ocean Modeling Systems (ROMS) with medium resolution, aimed at diagnosing the circulation sensitivity to variations in surface forcing. The sensitivities of coastal variations in SST, eddy kinetic energy, and baroclinic instability of complex time-evolving flows were quantified. Each aspect of the circulation exhibits significant interannual and seasonal variations in sensitivity controlled by mesoscale circulation features. Central California SST is equally sensitive to wind stress and surface heat flux, but less so to wind stress curl, displaying the greatest sensitivity when upwelling-favorable winds are relaxing and the least sensitivity during the peak of upwelling. SST sensitivity is typically 2–4 times larger during summer than during spring, although larger variations occur during some years.
The sensitivity of central coast eddy kinetic energy to surface forcing is constant on average throughout the year. Perturbations in the wind that align with mesoscale eddies to enhance the strength of the circulation by local Ekman pumping yield the greatest sensitivities.
The sensitivity of the potential for baroclinic instability is greatest when nearshore horizontal temperature gradients are largest, and it is associated with variations in wind stress concentrated along the core of the California Current. The sensitivity varies by a factor of ∼1.5 throughout the year. A new and important aspect of this work is identification of the complex flow dependence and seasonal dependence of the sensitivity of the ROMS California Current System (CCS) circulation to variations in surface forcing that was hitherto not previously appreciated.
Basin and Channel Contributions to a Model Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Authors: Nadeau Louis-Philippe , Straub David N. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
The idea that basinlike dynamics may play a major role in determining the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) transport is revisited. A simple analytic model is developed to describe the relationship between the wind stress and transport. At very low-wind stress, a nonzero minimum is predicted. This is followed by two distinct dynamical regimes for stronger forcing: 1) a Stommel regime in which transport increases linearly with forcing strength; and 2) a saturation regime in which the transport levels off. The baroclinic structure of the Sverdrup flux into the Drake Passage latitude band is central to the analytic model, and the geometry of characteristics, or geostrophic contours, is key to predicting the transition between the two regimes. A robustness analysis is performed using an eddy-permitting quasigeostrophic model in idealized geometries. Many simulations were carried out in large domains across a range of forcing strengths. The simulations agree qualitatively with the analytic model, with two main discrepancies being related to zonal jet structures and to a western boundary inertial recirculation. Eddy fluxes associated with zonal jets modify the baroclinic structure and lower the saturation transport value. Inertial effects increase the transport, although this effect is mainly limited to smaller domains.
Efficacy of treatment with a kinaesthetic ability training device on balance and mobility after stroke: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Gok H. , Geler-Kulcu D. , Alptekin N. , Dincer G. 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To investigate whether the addition of a kinaesthetic ability training device could enhance the effect of a conventional rehabilitation programme on balance and mobility in hemiparetic patients late after stroke. Design: Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial. Setting: The rehabilitation ward of a university hospital. Thirty hemiparetic patients (mean age (SD) of 57.4 (8.1) years) late after stroke (mean time since stroke (SD) 545.2 (99.9) days) were assigned randomly to an experimental or a control group. Interventions: The control group (n = 15) participated in a conventional rehabilitation programme. The experimental group (n = 15) participated in balance training with a kinaesthetic ability training device in addition to a conventional rehabilitation programme for four weeks, five days a week. Outcome measures: Kinaesthetic ability training static and dynamic balance indices, balance and lower extremity subscores of the Fugl-Meyer Stroke Assessment Instrument (FMA), total motor and locomotor subitem scores of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were evaluated at baseline and after treatment. Results: The experimental group had greater improvement in measures of balance including static (P = 0.045) and dynamic balance index (P = 0.001) and FMA balance score (P = 0.001) than the control group. No between-group differences were detected in subscore of FMA, total motor and locomotor subscores of FIM. There were significant improvements in balance subscores of FMA, static and dynamic balance indexes in the experimental group and in sub-item scores of FIM and lower extremity scores of FMA in both groups. Conclusion: Kinaesthetic ability training in addition to a conventional rehabilitation programme is effective in improving balance late after stroke. However, this improvement is not reflected in individual functional status.
Early activation or a more protective regime after arthroscopic subacromial decompression — a description of clinical changes with two different physiotherapy treatment protocols — a prospective, randomized pilot study with a two-year follow-up
Authors: Hultenheim Klintberg Ingrid , Gunnarsson Ann-Christine , Styf Jorma , Karlsson Jón 
Published: October 2008

Objectives: To describe clinical changes with two protocols of physiotherapy following arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) over two years. Reliability of Functional Index of the Shoulder was performed. Design: A prospective, randomized pilot study, within-subject design. Subjects: Thirty-four shoulders (13 women), mean age 46 (SD 7) years with primary shoulder impingement, listed for arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Interventions: The traditional group (n = 20) started with active assisted range of motion exercises on the day of surgery, dynamic exercises for the rotator cuff after six weeks and strengthening exercises after eight weeks. The progressive group (n = 14) started active assisted range of motion and dynamic exercises for the rotator cuff on the day of surgery. Strengthening exercises started after six weeks. Main measures: A clinical evaluation was made preoperatively, six weeks, three, six, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Pain, patient satisfaction, active range of motion and muscular strength were evaluated. Shoulder function was evaluated using Constant score, Hand in neck, Pour out of a pot and Functional Index of the Shoulder. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain during activity and at rest, in range of motion in extension and abduction, in strength of external rotation and in function. There were no clinical differences in changes between groups. Most patients were pain-free from six months. After two years, the majority of patients achieved ≥160° in flexion, ≥175° in abduction and 80° in external rotation, the traditional achieved 67 and the progressive group 87 with Constant score. Conclusions: Early activation using a comprehensive, well-defined and controlled physiotherapy protocol can be used safely after arthroscopic subacromial decompression.
Test—retest reliability of the StepWatch Activity Monitor outputs in individuals with chronic stroke
Authors: Mudge Suzie , Stott N. Susan 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To examine the test—retest reliability of the StepWatch Activity Monitor outputs over two periods, a week apart, in participants with stroke. Design: Test—retest reliability study over monitoring periods of one, two and three days. Setting: Participant's usual environment. Participants: Forty participants more than six months post stroke. Main measures: StepWatch outputs: total step count, number of steps at high medium and low stepping rates, sustained activity indices, peak activity index. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficients were high for all StepWatch outputs and all monitoring periods but were highest for the three-day monitoring period (0.930—0.989) and lowest for the one-day monitoring period (0.830—0.950). The coefficient of variation ranged from 6.7% to 48.7% over the monitoring periods, with higher variation shown for shorter monitoring periods. The most reliable four outputs had 95% limits of agreement between three-day periods that were less than 40%. These were total step count (±37.8%), highest step rate in 1 minute (±23.0%), highest step rate in 5 minutes (±38.6%) and peak activity index (±29.8%). The highest step rate in 1 minute was the only StepWatch output that had 95% limits of agreement less than 40% for the two-day (±31.2%) and one-day (±36.7%) monitoring periods. Conclusions: Total step count, highest step rate in 1 minute, highest step rate in 5 minutes and peak activity index have good test—retest reliability over a three-day monitoring period, with lower reliability shown by the other StepWatch outputs. In general, monitoring over one or two days is less reliable.
How much do the benefits cost? Effects of a home-based training programme on cardiovascular fitness, quality of life, programme cost and adherence for patients with coronary disease
Authors: Salvetti Xiomara Miranda , Oliveira Japy Angelini , Servantes Denise Maria , Vincenzo de Paola Angelo Amato 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To evaluate cost, adherence and effects on cardiovascular function and quality of life of a home-based cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients with coronary disease. Design: A randomized, prospective controlled trial. Setting: Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital, Brazil. Subjects: Thirty-nine low-risk patients were assigned to a home exercise training group (n = 19) or a control group (n = 20). Interventions: The home group performed home-based training for three months with biweekly telephone monitoring. Main outcome measures: The aerobic capacity and the quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36)) of all patients were evaluated before and after the three-month period. Adherence was evaluated weekly. Programme cost was estimated using the Brazilian Classification of Medical Procedures. Results: After training, the home group had higher peak Vo2 from 28.8 (6.4) to 31.7 (8.1) mL/kg per minute, peak heart rate from 135 (22) to 143 (20) bpm, work rate from 4780 (2021) to 7103 (3057) kpm/min and exercise time from 11.5 (1.9) to 13.6 (2.3) minutes (P ≤ 0.05). The control group showed reduction in peak Vo2 from 28.6 (6.6) to 26.8 (7.2) mL/kg per minute, peak Vo2 pulse from 15.5 (3.9) to 14.3 (3.8) mL/bpm and exercise time from 11.5 (2.3) to 11.4 (2.7) minutes (P ≤ 0.05). The home group reported improvements in all domains of SF-36. The control group showed improvement in only three domains of SF-36. In the home group the average cost per patient was US$502.71 and the adherence achieved 100%. Conclusion: The programme seems to provide an efficient low-cost approach to cardiac rehabilitation in low-risk patients.
Threshold of lower body muscular strength necessary to perform ADL independently in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Hasegawa Ryuichi , Islam Mohammod M , Sung Chul Lee  , Koizumi Daisuke , Rogers Michael E , Takeshima Nobuo 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To determine the thresholds of lower extremity muscle strength below which performing activities of daily living (ADL) is impaired in older adults. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Community. Subjects: Forty-nine older adults (81—89 years) were divided into an independent group (n = 25) who needed no assistance and a dependent group (n = 24) who needed assistance to perform ADL. Interventions: Not applicable. Main measures: Functional independence measures to determine level of disability and muscular strength of hip flexors, hip extensors, knee flexors, knee extensors and ankle dorsiflexors assessed by a hand-held dynamometer (HHD). Muscle groups were tested separately for each leg and values were averaged for the two legs. A ratio of maximal muscular strength to body weight was calculated by dividing the muscular strength (N) by body weight (kg). Results: Muscular strength thresholds to perform ADL independently were 2.3 N/kg for hip flexors, 1.7 N/kg for hip extensors, 0.7 N/kg for knee flexors, 2.8 N/kg for knee extensors and 2.8 N/kg for ankle dorsiflexors. Conclusion: The thresholds of lower extremity muscle strength below which assistance is required to perform ADL in community-dwelling older adults were identified. Furthermore, results indicate that the muscular strength of hip extensors is more important in performing ADL than other muscles of the lower extremities.
Effect of pre-operative physiotherapy in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis undergoing hip arthroplasty
Authors: Ferrara PE , Rabini A. , Maggi L. , Piazzini DB , Logroscino G. , Magliocchetti G. , Amabile E. , Tancredi G. , Aulisa AG , Padua L. , Gnocchi Don Carlo , Bertolini C. 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To examine the effect of pre-operative physiotherapy before hip arthroplasty in patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis. Design: A prospective randomized controlled study. Setting: Physical medicine and rehabilitation and orthopaedic departments of Policlinico Gemelli of Rome. Subjects: Twenty-three patients randomized in study and control groups. Intervention: The study group took part in an educational and physiotherapy programme one month before surgery. Both groups took part in the same inpatient rehabilitation programme after surgery. Main outcome measures: Both groups were evaluated one month (T0) and the day before arthroplasty (T1), after 15 days (T2), four weeks (T3) and three months (T4) post surgery, using the Barthel Index, the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Hip Harris Score (HHS), visual analogue scale (VAS), the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) measures of hip abductor and quadriceps strength and range of hip abduction and external rotation. Results: There were no significant differences between groups with regard to the Barthel Index, SF-36, WOMAC and HHS at T4. The study group presented significant improvements of the SF-36 physical composite score at T1. The hip external rotation was significantly higher in the study group at each evaluation and the visual analogue scale values were lower at T1, T3 and T4. Conclusion: Pre-operative physiotherapy in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty does not improve impairment and health-related quality of life after intervention. Physiotherapy and educational therapy may be useful for end-stage osteoarthritis.
Factors influencing the uptake of screening services for breast and cervical cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Shin-Jong 
Published: October 2008

Aims: Cervical cancer and breast cancer have had the first and second highest occurrence rates among women in Taiwan since 1981 and have also been two of the leading causes of cancer death. In order to more effectively promote preventive medical care programs, it is important to identify the key determinants of women's behavior regarding their decisions to engage in screenings. This study aims to identify the major factors that affect the utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening among women in Taiwan, who are covered by universal National Health Insurance. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2001 National Health Interview Survey for the Taiwan area and targeted women between 30 and 75 years old. The sample size consisted of 5,611 individuals for Papanicolaou (Pap) tests and breast examinations by a doctor. For breast ultrasounds and mammograms, 3,875 individuals were included. The propensity among women in Taiwan to use the two types of screening services, i.e., Pap test and breast examinations, were estimated by maximum likelihood probit regressions. Results: The findings in this study show that the likelihood of a woman receiving a Pap test or a clinical breast examination depends on a variety of factors such as age, marital status, income level, education, and health status. Women with lower socioeconomic status were found to be much less likely to undergo the freely available cancer screening services. In addition, healthy behavior, such as not smoking and engaging in exercise, had a positive effect on the uptake of screening. Conclusions: The results of this study enable us to understand more thoroughly the characteristics of women who undergo a Pap test and breast examination, as well as the factors that influence them in Taiwan. The findings can help formulate related policies that are directed at removing the barriers to accessing medical care and targeting those at-risk groups. This analysis provides new evidence of the factors affecting the utilization of preventive care among women in a developing country, which are comparable to those of other countries, and may shed further light on the issue of promoting cancer screening and women's health.
Phosphorylation of Farnesoid X Receptor by Protein Kinase C Promotes Its Transcriptional Activity
Authors: Gineste Romain , Sirvent Audrey , Paumelle Réjane , Helleboid Stéphane , Aquilina Alexis , Darteil Raphaël , Hum Dean W. , Fruchart Jean-Charles , Staels Bart 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily and is activated by bile acids such as chenodeoxycholic acid, or synthetic ligands such as GW4064. FXR is implicated in the regulation of bile acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Posttranslational modifications regulating its activity have not been investigated yet. Here, we demonstrate that calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition impairs ligand-mediated regulation of FXR target genes. Moreover, in a transactivation assay, we show that FXR transcriptional activity is modulated by PKC. Furthermore, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate , a PKC activator, induces the phosphorylation of endogenous FXR in HepG2 cells and PKCα phosphorylates in vitro FXR in its DNA-binding domain on S135 and S154. Mutation of S135 and S154 to alanine residues reduces in cell FXR phosphorylation. In contrast to wild-type FXR, mutant FXRS135AS154A displays an impaired PKCα-induced transactivation and a decreased ligand-dependent FXR transactivation. Finally, phosphorylation of FXR by PKC promotes the recruitment of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α. In conclusion, these findings show that the phosphorylation of FXR induced by PKCα directly modulates the ability of agonists to activate FXR.