bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemodialysis with High Cut-Off Hemodialyzers in Patients with Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-Negative Sepsis and Acute Kidney Injury: A Retrospective, Case-Control Study
Authors: Chelazzi Cosimo , Villa Gianluca , D'Alfonso Maria Grazia , Mancinelli Paola , Consales Guglielmo , Berardi Margherita , De Gaudio Angelo Raffaele , Romagnoli Stefano
Published: June 2016

Background: Hemodialysis with high cut-off continuous veno-venous hemodialyzer (HCO-CVVHD) removes mediators of organ dysfunction during sepsis. This study assessed the clinical effects of HCO-CVVHD as compared to high-flux (HF) membranes during gram-negative sepsis. Methods: Intensive care unit (ICU), septic patients treated with HCO-CVVHD or HF-CVVHDF for AKI were retrospectively observed (January 2013-December 2014). Mechanical ventilation, vasopressors' requirements, ICU length of stay (LOS) and ICU in-hospital mortality were compared between groups. Results: Sixteen HCO and 8 HF patients were observed. Isolated pathogens included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Median ratios of days-on-vasopressors and days-on-mechanical ventilation/ICU-LOS were 0.5, 1 and 0.8, 1 for HCO and HF groups (p < 0.03), respectively. ICU-LOS was 16 and 9 days (HCO- and HF-group, p = 0.03). ICU mortality rates were 37.5 and 87.5% for HCO and HF groups, respectively (p = 0.03). No statistical difference was found in in-hospital morality. Conclusion: Patients in HCO-CVVHD group spent lesser number of days on vasopressors and mechanical ventilation as a ratio to total ICU-LOS. In the same group, a reduction in ICU mortality was observed.
A Comparison between Two Dilute Citrate Solutions (15 vs. 18 mmol/l) in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: The Base Excess and Renal Substitution Solution Study
Authors: Anstey Chris , Campbell Victoria , Richardson Alexander
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: The study aimed to compare the changes in biochemistry occurring in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) using 2 trisodium citrate solutions, Baxter hemofiltration fluid containing 18 mmol/l (C18) and Baxter NamSol, a custom manufactured solution containing 15 mmol/l (C15), both delivered as regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) predilution fluids for hemofiltration. Methods: This is a prospective randomized control trial conducted in a major regional adult intensive care unit. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 RCA fluids. Progress was monitored using a standard daily panel of acid-base and biochemical tests. Results: Forty-eight patients, 23 C18 and 25 C15, were recruited. In both groups, acidosis resolved within 36 h of institution of CRRT. By day 3, there were significant differences in serum [Na+], standard base excess and serum bicarbonate concentration, all being higher in the C18 group (p < 0.01). By day 5, the PaCO2 had also risen in the C18 group (p = 0.03). Conclusions: The C15 solution provided equivalent filter life to the C18 solution but without significant hypernatremia and metabolic alkalosis.
Germ Cell Tumor Targeting Chemotherapy in Gastric Adenocarcinoma with an Endodermal Sinus Tumor Component: A Case Report
Authors: Choi Jung Eun , Choe A. Reum , Yoon Sang Eun , Nam Eun Mi , Park Heejung , Lee Kyoung Eun
Published: June 2016

The most common sites for extragonadal germ cell tumors are the midline mediastinum, retroperitoneum and, much less frequently, the stomach. The stomach-originated primary germ cell tumor carries a poor prognosis, especially when metastasis occurs to the liver, with a mean survival time of 1 month. We describe the case of a 77-year-old male who presented with usual symptoms of gastric malignancy. Gastrectomy was performed. Histopathology of surgically resected tissue revealed a mixture of adenocarcinoma and endodermal sinus tumor components with α-fetoprotein production. After liver metastasis was identified, oxaliplatin and capecitabine were administered as palliative chemotherapy. The response was poor. For the second-line therapy, bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) therapy was initiated. The overall response to these drugs was a partial response and the residual liver lesion was considered to be resectable. The patient died of pneumonia 11 months following the BEP session, representing an overall survival time of 22 months. Gastric adenocarcinoma with a germ cell tumor component is uncommon and an effective combination of chemotherapeutic agents is not yet clear. In this case, the patient received germ cell tumor-targeting chemotherapy and showed a durable response. Hence, germ cell-targeting cytotoxic agents have potential as the ‘front-line regimen'.
Outcomes after Early Neurological Deterioration and Transitory Deterioration in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Helleberg Bernt Harald , Ellekjaer Hanne , Indredavik Bent
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose: Early neurological deterioration (END) occurs in 10-40% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and has been associated with worse outcome. Recent improvements in treatment may have reduced the prevalence of END. A single early control or repeated observations have been applied to detect END close to occurrence, in order to improve the poor outcome associated with END, as clinical interventions may still be effective. Deterioration detected through repeated observations may be transitory or lead to END. Our aim was to study outcome after END and transitory deterioration (TD). Methods: In acute ischemic stroke patients, key Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) items were scored 12 times from admission to 72 h. END was defined as ≥2 point decrease in any key SSS item from admission to 72 h. Early deterioration episode was defined as similar worsening between two consecutive assessments within 72 h, and TD as early deterioration episode in patients without END. Main outcome measures were odds ratios (OR) for worse functional outcome (including death) measured by modified Rankin scale at 90 days for END and TD compared with stable patients. Results: 368 patients were included. 13.9% had END and 28.3% had TD. Both deterioration groups were associated with worse outcome at 12 weeks compared with stable patients, with ORs of 35.1 (95% CI 8.8-140) for death/dependency and 5.8 (95% CI 1.8-19.4) for death in END patients and ORs of 2.3 (95% CI 1.1-4.8) for death/dependency and 1.9 (95% CI 0.5-6.3) for death in patients with TD. LOS increased by 6.4 days for END (p < 0.001) and 1.1 days for TD (p = 0.014) compared with stable patients. Conclusion: We found a strong association between END and worse outcome, and even TD doubled the OR for death/dependency compared to stable patients. Early deterioration episodes identified through frequent observations are therefore clinically significant and such frequent observations may detect worsening sufficiently close to occurrence for potentially effective treatment to be applied.
Waist-to-Height Gain and Triiodothyronine Concentrations in a Cohort of Socially Vulnerable Short-Stature Women: A Four-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Florêncio Telma M.M.T. , Bueno Nassib B. , Britto Revilane A.P. , Albuquerque Fabiana C.A. , Lins Isabela L.L. , Sawaya Ana L.
Published: June 2016

Background: Short stature that results from undernourishment during perinatal period is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood, particularly in poor populations. The present study investigated changes on anthropometric and metabolic parameters of socially vulnerable women with short stature. Methods: A prospective study with 48 women (19-45 years) who were mothers of undernourished children was conducted. Twenty-five of them were short (height ≤150 cm), and 23 were not short, to serve as a control (height >159 cm). Biochemical, anthropometric and dietary intake data were collected, before and after 4 years of follow-up. A mixed within-between analysis of covariance was used to assess the interaction between ‘group' and ‘time'. Results: Waist-to-height ratio increased only in the short stature group, with significant interaction (+0.03 ± 0.03 in short group vs. +0.01 ± 0.03 in control; p for interaction = 0.04). The short stature group showed a significant decrease in the plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations, without significant interaction (-0.16 ± 0.23 ng/ml in short group vs. -0.04 ± 0.29 ng/ml in control; p for interaction = 0.20). Conclusion: Women of short stature presented an increase in waist-to-height ratio, with a simultaneous decrease in total plasma T3. These alterations may lead them to increased risk of comorbidities.
Treatment of Mild Camptocormia with Selegiline in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Yoritaka Asako , Mori Hideo , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: June 2016

Background: Camptocormia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unresponsive to various therapies and induced difficulties in their day-to-day life. Objective: This study, an open trial, was aimed at assessing the efficacy of selegiline in the treatment of mild camptocormia in PD patients. Methods: Participants were administered 5 mg of selegiline for the first 8 weeks and 7.5 mg for the second 8 weeks. Results: As primary endpoints, the degree of thoracolumbar anteflexion decreased from 23.2° (mean) (11.8° (SD)) at baseline to 18.3° (7.1°) at 16 weeks, and the area of postural sway measured using a Gravicorder increased. However, the differences were not significant. Thoracolumbar anteflexion improved in 60% of the participants. Conclusions: In this study, 60% of the participants showed an improvement in anteflexion of the thoracolumbar spine with selegiline, but the change in the degree of anteflexion was 5°, which was not statistically significant. Participants with significant improvement in thoracolumbar anteflexion had an increased postural sway. This change was induced by a decrease in truncal muscle tonus or change in the center of gravity. This study combined the study of anteflexion and stability, and provides information on the treatment of short-term or mild camptocormia.
Nerve Stimulation Enhances Task-Oriented Training in Chronic, Severe Motor Deficit After Stroke
Authors: Carrico Cheryl , Chelette Kenneth C. , Westgate Philip M. , Powell Elizabeth , Nichols Laurie , Fleischer Anne , Sawaki Lumy
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose—

A sensory-based intervention called peripheral nerve stimulation can enhance outcomes of motor training for stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate hemiparesis. Further research is needed to establish whether this paired intervention can have benefit in cases of severe impairment (almost no active movement).

Methods—

Subjects with chronic, severe poststroke hemiparesis (n=36) were randomized to receive 10 daily sessions of either active or sham stimulation (2 hours) immediately preceding intensive task-oriented training (4 hours). Upper extremity movement function was assessed using Fugl–Meyer Assessment (primary outcome measure), Wolf Motor Function Test, and Action Research Arm Test at baseline, immediately post intervention and at 1-month follow-up.

Results—

Statistically significant difference between groups favored the active stimulation group on Fugl–Meyer at postintervention (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–6.9;
P
=0.008) and 1-month follow-up (95% CI, 0.6–8.3;
P
=0.025), Wolf Motor Function Test at postintervention (95% CI, −0.21 to −0.02;
P
=0.020), and Action Research Arm Test at postintervention (95% CI, 0.8–7.3;
P
=0.015) and 1-month follow-up (95% CI, 0.6–8.4;
P
=0.025). Only the active stimulation condition was associated with (1) statistically significant within-group benefit on all outcomes at 1-month follow-up and (2) improvement exceeding minimal detectable change, as well as minimal clinically significant difference, on ≥1 outcomes at ≥1 time points after intervention.

Conclusions—

After stroke, active peripheral nerve stimulation paired with intensive task–oriented training can effect significant improvement in severely impaired upper extremity movement function. Further confirmatory studies that consider a larger group, as well as longer follow-up, are needed.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02633215.
Two new green algae, Rhizoclonium fractum sp. nov. and R. umbraticum sp. nov., from tropical and subtropical brackish waters of Japan
Authors: ICHIHARA KENSUKE , SHIMADA SATOSHI , MIYAJI KAZUYUKI
Published: June 2016

Microfilamentous unbranched cladophoralean algae are distributed from high latitudes to the tropics in waters of varying salinities. Their simple morphology provides few diagnostic characteristics for distinguishing species, such that the taxonomic status of minute Cladophoraceae remains unclear. In a recent field survey in Japanese mangrove forests and brackish waters, we found Rhizoclonium-like cladophoralean algae (Cladophoraceae spp. 1–3). In molecular phylogenetic analyses based on partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU) and large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU) genes, these algae clustered with R. africanum Kützing in the LSU tree and were separated from the true Rhizoclonium clade in both the LSU and SSU trees. An early divergence in the Cladophoraceae lineage was also strongly supported in both trees. Cladophoraceae spp. 1–3 and R. africanum shared a specific rhizoidal developmental structure, the “knee-like joint.” Cladophoraceae spp. 1–3 also shared polypyramidal pyrenoids, while typical bilenticular pyrenoids are hardly found. Cladophoraceae sp. 1 is characterized by wider cells and more nuclei per cell than described taxa. Cladophoraceae sp. 3 had a smaller cell length/diameter ratio and fewer nuclei per cell than described taxa. Based on these distinct morphological features, we describe two new species: R. fractum Ichihara et Miyaji sp. nov. and R. umbraticum Ichihara et Miyaji sp. nov. We also revealed that Cladophoraceae sp. 2 should be assigned to the described species R. minutissimum (Zeller) P. C. Silva based on morphological characteristics.
The holomorph of Parasarcopodium (Stachybotryaceae), introducing P. pandanicola sp. nov. on Pandanus sp.
Authors: TIBPROMMA SAOWALUCK , BOONMEE SARANYAPHAT , WIJAYAWARDENE NALIN N. , MAHARACHCHIKUMBURA SAJEEWA S.N. , MCKENZIE ERIC H. C. , BAHKALI ALI H. , E.B. GARETH JONES E.B. , HYDE KEVIN D , PROMPUTTHA ITTHAYAKORN
Published: June 2016

Collections of microfungi on Pandanus species (Pandanaceae) in Krabi, Thailand resulted in the discovery of a new species in the genus Parasarcopodium, producing both its sexual and asexual morphs. In this paper, we introduce P. pandanicola sp. nov., with an illustrated account. Evidence for the new species is provided by distinct morphology and phylogenetic analyses. This is also the first report of the sexual morph of Parasarcopodium. The phylogenetic trees used Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined LSU, SSU, TEF1 and RPB2 sequence data to show the placement of the new species in Stachybotryaceae.
The valid publication of the names Salix wangiana and S. wangiana var. tibetica (Salicaceae)
Authors: DENG YUNFEI
Published: June 2016

Recently, He et al. (2015) discussed the nomenclatural problems on the names Salix wangiana K.S. Hao (1936: 81) and S. wangiana var. tibetica C. Wang & C.F. Fang (1979: 103). They concluded that the name S. wangiana was validated by Fang & Skvortsov (1998: 469) and is a synonym of S. rhododendroides C. Wang & C.Y. Yu in Anonymous (1974: 598), and S. wangiana var. tibetica is an invalidly published name and the name S. zangica var. tibetica C. Wang & C.F. Fang ex Chao (1985: 7) is validly published for the variety. However, it was missed that the names S. wangiana and S. wangiana var. tibetica have already been validly published by Chow et al. (1984).
Lectotypification of two names in the genus Rubus L. (Rosaceae)
Authors: GUPTA CHANDANI , DASH SUDHANSU SEKHAR , BRACH ANTHONY ROBERT
Published: June 2016

Rubus Linnaeus (1753: 492) is one of the largest genera in the family Rosaceae, represented by more than 700 species (Lu & Boufford 2003) and numerous apomictic taxa distributed worldwide but mainly in temperate regions (Mabberly 2008). The greatest species diversity of the genus is found in Southeastern Asia, East Asia and South America (Kalkman 1993, Gupta & Dash 2015a). The genus is recognized as one of the unsolved complexes for species delimitation due to hybridization, polyploidy and the large number of apomictic taxa (Weber 1996). The genus is characterized by woody or rarely herbaceous habit with simple to pinnate or compound leaves, terminal solitary to racemose and cymose inflorescence subtended by a foliar bract, pentamerous (rarely more petals) flowers with numerous stamens and pistils; drupaceous fruits with a distinct torus. A current estimate shows that, in India, about 75 species occur (Gupta & Dash 2015b) with the largest concentration in eastern Himalayan states. Hooker (1878) reported 41 species of Rubus from the then British India out of which 39 species and 15 varieties are found within the present political boundary of India. Long (1987) reported 35 species and 1 variety from Sikkim while dealing with Flora of Bhutan. Very limited information is available on the genus in India except some sketchy enumerations in the state floras (Kanjilal et al. 1922, Sharma & Kachroo 1981, Chowdhery & Wadhwa 1984, Chowdhery et al. 1996). Therefore, taxonomic treatment of less known Indian species of Rubus has not been worked out; as a result these names are only being referred as unresolved names in contemporary databases (e.g. The Plant List 2013).The majority were collected during the colonial era but without any designation of types. Therefore, to maintain the current taxonomic status, detailed studies are needed for all these species. We (first two authors) currently are revising the taxonomy of Rubus in India and this is part of the PhD thesis of the first author. During our research, we traced specimens of Rubus collected from western Himalaya (India) referable to less known and untypified R. chambicus Rolfe (1920: 132) and R. almorensis Dunn (1921: 310).
Three new species of the leafhopper genus Drabescus Stål (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from China
Authors: WANG JIA-JIA , QU LING , XING JI-CHUN , DAI REN-HUAI
Published: June 2016

Three new species of leafhoppers: Drabescus cuspidatus sp. nov., Drabescus convolutus sp. nov. and Drabescus multidentatus sp. nov. are described and illustrated from China. A key to 24 of the 30 known Chinese species of the genus is given. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).
A new species of the genus Oreonectes (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Guizhou, China
Authors: DENG HUAIQING , XIAO NING , HOU XIUFA , ZHOU JIANG
Published: June 2016

This study examined the morphological and phylogenetic characteristics of Oreonectes shuilongensis sp. nov. The genus Oreonectes is distributed only in southwestern China and northern Vietnam.  Sixteen specimens of cavefish were captured in the Shuilong Township in Guizhou Province of China and identified as a new species of Oreonectes (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae).  Maximum likelihood was used to construct phylogenetic trees based on data for Nemacheilidae species accessible on GenBank. Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that O. shuilongensis is closely related to O. platycephalus from which it is distinguished by having 6 vs. 5 branched anal rays, ratio of body length to body height 7.0–7.9 vs. 5.6–7.0, ratio of head length to distance between eyes 3.5–4.9 vs. 2.0–2.4, naked vs. scaly body, densely distributed fine black stains except on abdomen, and semitransparent body. Oreonectes shuilongensis is the only species of the genus not distributed in Guangxi Province. This study has contributed to the overall knowledge about the distribution of Oreonectes.
Additions to Philippine Slender Skinks of the Brachymeles bonitae Complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) III: a new species from Tablas Island
Authors: DAVIS DREW R. , GEHEBER AARON D. , WATTERS JESSA L. , PENROD MICHELLE L. , FELLER KATHRYN D. , ASHFORD ALISSA , KOURI JOSH , NGUYEN DANIEL , SHAUBERGER KATHRYN , SHEATSLEY KYRA , WINFREY CLAIRE , WONG RACHEL , SANGUILA MARITES B. , BROWN RAFE M. , SILER CAMERON D.
Published: June 2016

Studies of the diversity of Philippine amphibians and reptiles have resulted in the continued description of cryptic species. Species formerly thought to range across multiple recognized faunal regions are now considered to be assemblages of multiple unique species, each restricted to a single faunal region. This pattern continues to hold true when considering Philippine skinks of the genus Brachymeles. Recent studies have resulted in the description of numerous unique species with many exhibiting various degrees of digit loss or limb reduction, as well as suggesting that unique lineages are still present in the B. bonitae Complex. In this paper, we describe a new species of fossorial skink within this species complex from Tablas Island based on collections made nearly 50 years ago. Although no genetic data are available for the new species, examinations of morphological data (qualitative traits, meristic counts, and mensural measurements) support its distinction from all other members of the genus. Brachymeles dalawangdaliri sp. nov. is differentiated from other members of the genus based on a suite of unique phenotypic characteristics, including a small body size (SVL 66.0–80.9 mm), bidactyl fore-limbs, digitless, unidactyl, or bidactyl hind limbs, a high number of presacral vertebrae (49), the absence of auricular openings, and distinct dorsal head scale patterns. The description of the new species increases the diversity of endemic vertebrates recognized to occur in the Romblon Island Group in the central Philippines.
Misidentification of Carcharhinus galapagensis (Snodgrass & Heller, 1905) in the Southwest Pacific Ocean
Authors: DUFFY CLINTON A. J.
Published: June 2016

Although primarily a coral reef species the grey reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos has been recorded from a number of subtropical oceanic islands and reefs in the Southwest Pacific Ocean. Examination of all nominal C. amblyrhynchos voucher material collected from Lord Howe Island, Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs and Norfolk Island resulted in the re-identification of these specimens as Galapagos sharks, C. galapagensis. As C. amblyrhynchos superficially resembles C. galapagensis visual records of C. amblyrhynchos from Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs and the Kermadec Islands cannot be substantiated without voucher material. Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos therefore appears to be confined to waters north of about 25o S in the Southwest Pacific. Precaudal vertebral counts should be used to confirm the identification of nominal C. amblyrhynchos specimens that have an interdorsal ridge.
CMIP5 Scientific Gaps and Recommendations for CMIP6
Authors: Stouffer R. J. , Eyring V. , Meehl G. A. , Bony S. , Senior C. , Stevens B. , Taylor K. E.
Published: June 2016

The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) is an ongoing coordinated international activity of numerical experimentation of unprecedented scope and impact on climate science. Its most recent phase, the fifth phase (CMIP5), has created nearly 2 PB of output from dozens of experiments performed by dozens of comprehensive climate models available to the climate science research community. In so doing, it has greatly advanced climate science. While CMIP5 has given answers to important science questions, with the help of a community survey we identify and motivate three broad topics here that guided the scientific framework of the next phase of CMIP, that is, CMIP6:How does the Earth system respond to changes in forcing?What are the origins and consequences of systematic model biases?How can we assess future climate changes given internal climate variability, predictability, and uncertainties in scenarios?

CMIP has demonstrated the power of idealized experiments to better understand how the climate system works. We expect that these idealized approaches will continue to contribute to CMIP6. The quantification of radiative forcings and responses was poor, and thus it requires new methods and experiments to address this gap. There are a number of systematic model biases that appear in all phases of CMIP that remain a major climate modeling challenge. These biases need increased attention to better understand their origins and consequences through targeted experiments. Improving understanding of the mechanisms’ underlying internal climate variability for more skillful decadal climate predictions and long-term projections remains another challenge for CMIP6.
Idealized Numerical Modeling of the Diurnal Cycle of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Navarro Erika L. , Hakim Gregory J.
Published: June 2016

A numerical experiment is performed to evaluate the role of the daily cycle of radiation on axisymmetric hurricane structure. Although a diurnal response in high cloudiness has been well documented previously, the link to tropical cyclone (TC) structure and intensity remains unknown. Previous modeling studies attributed differences in results to experimental setup (e.g., initial and boundary conditions) as well as to radiative parameterizations. Here, a numerically simulated TC in a statistically steady state is examined for 300 days to quantify the TC response to the daily cycle of radiation.

Fourier analysis in time reveals a spatially coherent diurnal signal in the temperature, wind, and latent heating tendency fields. This signal is statistically different from random noise and accounts for up to 62% of the variance in the TC outflow and 28% of the variance in the boundary layer. Composite analysis of each hour of the day reveals a cycle in storm intensity: a maximum is found in the morning and a minimum in the evening, with magnitudes near 1 m s−1. Anomalous latent heating forms near the inner core of the storm in the late evening, which persists throughout the early morning. Examination of the radial–vertical wind suggests two distinct circulations: 1) a radiatively driven circulation in the outflow layer due to absorption of solar radiation and 2) a convectively driven circulation in the lower and middle troposphere due to anomalous latent heating. These responses are coupled and are periodic with respect to the diurnal cycle.
Impact of Upper-Tropospheric Temperature Anomalies and Vertical Wind Shear on Tropical Cyclone Evolution Using an Idealized Version of the Operational GFDL Hurricane Model
Authors: Tuleya Robert E. , Bender Morris , Knutson Thomas R. , Sirutis Joseph J. , Thomas Biju , Ginis Isaac
Published: June 2016

The GFDL hurricane modeling system, initiated in the 1970s, has progressed from a research tool to an operational system over four decades. This system is still in use today in research and operations, and its evolution will be briefly described. This study used an idealized version of the 2014 GFDL model to test its sensitivity across a wide range of three environmental factors that are often identified as key factors in tropical cyclone (TC) evolution: SST, atmospheric stability (upper-air thermal anomalies), and vertical wind shear (westerly through easterly). A wide range of minimum central pressure intensities resulted (905–980 hPa). The results confirm that a scenario (e.g., global warming) in which the upper troposphere warms relative to the surface will have less TC intensification than one with a uniform warming with height. The TC rainfall is also investigated for the SST–stability parameter space. Rainfall increases for combinations of SST increase and increasing stability similar to global warming scenarios, consistent with climate change TC downscaling studies with the GFDL model. The forecast system’s sensitivity to vertical shear was also investigated. The idealized model simulations showed weak disturbances dissipating under strong easterly and westerly shear of 10 m s−1. A small bias for greater intensity under easterly sheared versus westerly sheared environments was found at lower values of SST. The impact of vertical shear on intensity was different when a strong vortex was used in the simulations. In this case, none of the initial disturbances weakened, and most intensified to some extent.
Deep Convection and Column Water Vapor over Tropical Land versus Tropical Ocean: A Comparison between the Amazon and the Tropical Western Pacific
Authors: Schiro Kathleen A. , Neelin J. David , Adams David K. , Lintner Benjamin R.
Published: June 2016

The relationships between the onset of tropical deep convection, column water vapor (CWV), and other measures of conditional instability are analyzed with 2 yr of data from the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Mobile Facility in Manacapuru, Brazil, as part of the Green Ocean Amazon (GOAmazon) campaign, and with 3.5 yr of CWV derived from global positioning system meteorology at a nearby site in Manaus, Brazil. Important features seen previously in observations over tropical oceans—precipitation conditionally averaged by CWV exhibiting a sharp pickup at high CWV, and the overall shape of the CWV distribution for both precipitating and nonprecipitating points—are also found for this tropical continental region. The relationship between rainfall and CWV reflects the impact of lower-free-tropospheric moisture variability on convection. Specifically, CWV over land, as over ocean, is a proxy for the effect of free-tropospheric moisture on conditional instability as indicated by entraining plume calculations from GOAmazon data. Given sufficient mixing in the lower troposphere, higher CWV generally results in greater plume buoyancies through a deep convective layer. Although sensitivity of buoyancy to other controls in the Amazon is suggested, such as boundary layer and microphysical processes, the CWV dependence is consistent with the observed precipitation onset. Overall, leading aspects of the relationship between CWV and the transition to deep convection in the Amazon have close parallels over tropical oceans. The relationship is robust to averaging on time and space scales appropriate for convective physics but is strongly smoothed for averages greater than 3 h or 2.5°.
Weakened Eastern Pacific El Niño Predictability in the Early Twenty-First Century
Authors: Zhao Mei , Hendon Harry H. , Alves Oscar , Liu Guoqiang , Wang Guomin
Published: June 2016

Predictive skill for El Niño in the equatorial eastern Pacific across a range of forecast models declined sharply in the early twenty-first century relative to what was achieved in the late twentieth century despite ongoing improvements of forecast systems. This decline coincided with a shift in Pacific climate to an enhanced east–west surface temperature gradient across the Pacific and a stronger Walker circulation at the end of the twentieth century. Using seasonal forecast sensitivity experiments with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology coupled model POAMA2.4, the authors show that this shift in background climate acted to weaken key ocean–atmosphere feedbacks that amplify eastern Pacific El Niño, thus resulting in weaker variability that is less predictable. These results indicate that extreme El Niños, such as those that occurred in 1982/83 and 1997/98, were conditioned by the background climate and so were favored to occur in the late twentieth century. However, anticipating future changes in El Niño variability and predictability is an outstanding challenge because causes and prediction of low-frequency variations of Pacific climate have not yet been demonstrated.
Warm Season Evaluation of Soil Moisture Prediction in the Soil, Vegetation, and Snow (SVS) Scheme
Authors: Alavi Nasim , Bélair Stéphane , Fortin Vincent , Zhang Shunli , Husain Syed Z. , Carrera Marco L. , Abrahamowicz Maria
Published: June 2016

A new land surface scheme has been developed at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to provide surface fluxes of momentum, heat, and moisture for the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) atmospheric model. In this study, the performance of the Soil, Vegetation, and Snow (SVS) scheme in estimating the surface and root-zone soil moisture is evaluated against the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere (ISBA) scheme currently used operationally at ECCC within GEM for numerical weather prediction. In addition, the sensitivity of SVS soil moisture results to soil texture and vegetation data sources (type and fractional coverage) has been explored. The performance of SVS and ISBA was assessed against a large set of in situ observations as well as the brightness temperature data from the Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite over North America. The results indicate that SVS estimates the time evolution of soil moisture more accurately, and compared to ISBA, results in higher correlations with observations and reduced errors. The sensitivity tests carried out during this study revealed that the SVS soil moisture results are not affected significantly by the soil texture data from different sources. The vegetation data source, however, has a major impact on the soil moisture results predicted by SVS, and accurate specification of vegetation characteristics is therefore crucial for accurate soil moisture prediction.
Assimilation of Synthetic GOES-R ABI Infrared Brightness Temperatures and WSR-88D Radar Observations in a High-Resolution OSSE
Authors: Cintineo Rebecca M. , Otkin Jason A. , Jones Thomas A. , Koch Steven , Stensrud David J.
Published: June 2016

This study uses an observing system simulation experiment to explore the impact of assimilating GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) 6.95-μm brightness temperatures and Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) reflectivity and radial velocity observations in an ensemble data assimilation system. A high-resolution truth simulation was used to create synthetic radar and satellite observations of a severe weather event that occurred across the U.S. central plains on 4–5 June 2005. The experiment employs the Weather Research and Forecasting Model at 4-km horizontal grid spacing and the ensemble adjustment Kalman filter algorithm in the Data Assimilation Research Testbed system. The ability of GOES-R ABI brightness temperatures to improve the analysis and forecast accuracy when assimilated separately or simultaneously with Doppler radar reflectivity and radial velocity observations was assessed, along with the use of bias correction and different covariance localization radii for the brightness temperatures. Results show that the radar observations accurately capture the structure of a portion of the storm complex by the end of the assimilation period, but that more of the storms and atmospheric features are reproduced and the accuracy of the ensuing forecast improved when the brightness temperatures are also assimilated.
Comments on “Incorporating the Effects of Moisture into a Dynamical Parameter: Moist Vorticity and Moist Divergence”
Authors: Schultz David M. , Spengler Thomas
Published: June 2016

In a recent article, Qian et al. introduced the quantities moist vorticity and moist divergence to diagnose locations of heavy rain. These quantities are constructed by multiplying the relative vorticity and divergence by relative humidity to the power k, where k = 10 in their article. Their approach is similar to that for the previously constructed quantity generalized moist potential vorticity. This comment critiques the approach of Qian et al., demonstrating that the moist vorticity, moist divergence, and by extension generalized moist potential vorticity are flawed mathematically and meteorologically. Raising relative humidity to the 10th power is poorly justified and is based on a single case study at a single time. No meteorological evidence is presented for why areas of moist vorticity and moist divergence should overlap with regions of 24-h accumulated rainfall. All three quantities have not been verified against the output of precipitation directly from the model nor is the approach of combining meteorological quantities into a single parameter appropriate in an ingredients-based forecasting approach. Researchers and forecasters are advised to plot the model precipitation directly and employ an ingredients-based approach, rather than rely on these flawed quantities.
Reply to “Comments on ‘Incorporating the Effects of Moisture into a Dynamical Parameter: Moist Vorticity and Moist Divergence’”
Authors: Qian Weihong , Jiang Ning , Du Jun
Published: June 2016

Mathematical derivation, meteorological justification, and comparison to model direct precipitation forecasts are the three main concerns recently raised by Schultz and Spengler about moist divergence (MD) and moist vorticity (MV), which were introduced in earlier work by Qian et al. That previous work demonstrated that MD (MV) can in principle be derived mathematically with a value-added empirical modification. MD (MV) has a solid meteorological basis. It combines ascent motion and high moisture: the two elements necessary for rainfall. However, precipitation efficiency is not considered in MD (MV). Given the omission of an advection term in the mathematical derivation and the lack of precipitation efficiency, MD (MV) might be suitable mainly for heavy rain events with large areal coverage and long duration caused by large-scale quasi-stationary weather systems, but not for local intense heavy rain events caused by small-scale convection. In addition, MD (MV) is not capable of describing precipitation intensity. MD (MV) worked reasonably well in predicting heavy rain locations from short to medium ranges as compared with the ECMWF model precipitation forecasts. MD (MV) was generally worse than (though sometimes similar to) the model heavy rain forecast at shorter ranges (about a week) but became comparable or even better at longer ranges (around 10 days). It should be reiterated that MD (MV) is not intended to be a primary tool for predicting heavy rain areas, especially in the short range, but is a useful parameter for calibrating model heavy precipitation forecasts, as stated in the original paper.
Local Newspapers in Japan: News and Memory Creation
Authors: Seward Robert
Published: June 2016

Anthony Rausch, ed. Japanese Journalism and the Japanese Newspaper—A Supplemental Reader. Amherst, New York: Tenneo Press, 2014. 281 pp. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-934884-70-0 paper
Newspaper Dialectology: Harnessing the Power of the Mass Media to Study Canadian English
Authors: Boberg Charles
Published: June 2016

This article asks whether collaboration with a popular newspaper can be an effective means of collecting data on dialect variation and whether the resulting data are comparable with those gathered by more traditional dialectological methods. These questions are examined with a pair of dialect surveys carried out in 2014 by Metro News, in collaboration with the author, in cities across English-speaking Canada. The resulting data, comprising thousands of responses, reveal remarkable convergence with previous research, particularly with the North American Regional Vocabulary Survey reported previously in this journal. They display both an alternation between British and American lexical choices and regional variation in North American lexical choices across Canada. The new data both confirm and add to earlier accounts of variation in Canadian English, among other things making possible a new analysis of diachronic patterns in real time. Popular media can therefore be valuable research partners for academic dialectologists.
Ya Heard Me? Rhoticity in Post-Katrina New Orleans English
Authors: Casey Christina Schoux
Published: June 2016

Sociolinguistic research has documented the change to rhoticity by white speakers in the American South, and the increase in rhoticity in New York City and New England. However, there has been scant investigation of rhoticity in New Orleans, Louisiana, which, as a linguistic island in the Gulf South argued to have strong historical ties to New York City, presents a particularly interesting site for investigation. The city's varieties of English have historically been nonrhotic, and this study investigates whether New Orleans remains marginal to the now-rhotic white South and whether it shares New York City patterns in /r/ realization. Apparent-time evidence suggests that the advancement of rhoticity has been slower than in both the South and New York. Younger people in the sample heavily favor rhoticity in formal reading passage speech style, but not in the less formal interview style, where age is not a significant predictor. Greater educational attainment and external cultural orientation are strongly predictive of rhoticity across speech styles. The continued presence of variability in /r/ realization across age, gender, and ethnoracial categories suggests that New Orleans's linguistic distinctiveness remains considerable.
Temporal variability of the microbial food web (viruses to ciliates) under the influence of the Black Sea Water inflow (N. Aegean, E. Mediterranean)
Authors: GIANNAKOUROU A. , TSIOLA A. , KANELLOPOULOU M. , MAGIOPOULOS I. , SIOKOU I. , PITTA P.
Published: June 2016

Τhe entire pelagic microbial food web was studied during the winter-spring period in the frontal area of the North Aegean Sea. Abundance of viruses, heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, auto- and hetero-trophic flagellates, and ciliates, as well as bacterial production, were measured at three stations (MD1, MD2, MD3) situated along a N-S transect between the area directly influenced by the inflowing Black Sea water and the area covered by the Levantine water. Samples were collected in December 2009, and January, March, April, and May 2011. Station MD1 exhibited the highest values of abundance and integrated biomass of all microbial groups and bacterial production during all months, and MD3 the lowest. Bacteria dominated the total integrated biomass at all stations and months, followed by cyanobacteria, auto-, hetero-trophic flagellates and ciliates. On a temporal scale, the microbial food web was less important in March as all microbial parameters at all stations showed the lowest values. After the phytoplankton bloom in March, the heterotrophic part of the microbial food web (mainly) strongly increased, though the intensity of the phenomenon was diminished from North to South. Pico-sized plankton was found to be heterotrophic whereas nanoplankton was autotrophic. It seems that the influence of the Black Sea water on station MD1, permanent throughout the study period of early winter to late spring, was reflected in all microbial populations studied, and produced a more productive pelagic food web system, with potential consequences for the upper trophic levels.
A high-resolution hydrodynamic-biogeochemical coupled model of the Gulf of Cadiz – Alboran Sea region.
Authors: MACIAS D. M. , GUERREIRO C. T. , PRIETO L. , PELIZ A. , RUIZ J.
Published: June 2016

The southern Iberia regional seas comprise the Gulf of Cadiz and the Alboran Sea sub-basins connected by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. Both basins are very different in their hydrological and biological characteristics but are, also, tightly connected to each other. Integrative studies of the whole regional oceanic system are scarce and difficult to perform due to the relative large area to cover and the different relevant time-scales of the main forcings in each sub-basin. Here we propose, for the first time, a fully coupled, 3D, hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model that covers, in a single domain (~2km resolution) both marine basins for a 20 years simulation (1989-2008). Model performance is assessed against available data in terms of spatial and temporal distributions of biological variables. In general, the proposed model is able to represent the climatological distributions of primary and secondary producers and also the main seasonality of primary production in the different sub-regions of the analyzed basins. Potential causes of the observed mismatches between model and data are identified and some solutions are proposed for future model development. We conclude that most of these mismatches could be attributed to the missing tidal forcing in the actual model configuration. This model is a first step to obtain a meaningful tool to study past and future oceanographic conditions in this important marine region constituting the unique connection of the Mediterranean Sea with the open world’s ocean.
The influence of the Guadalquivir river on spatio-temporal variability in the pelagic ecosystem of the eastern Gulf of Cádiz
Authors: CABALLERO I. , MORRIS E. P. , PIETRO L. , NAVARRO G.
Published: June 2016

This study examines the spatio-temporal variability of the turbidity plume and phytoplankton biomass (in terms of chlorophyll) in the marine region influenced by the Guadalquivir estuary using ocean colour images over a period of 11 years (2003-2013). The area of the turbidity plume was calculated using water-leaving radiance at 555 nm (nLw555). Climatologic and monthly averages showed recurrent high nLw555 levels in winter and high chlorophyll in spring. Similar variability was confirmed by Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of 8-day composite images, illustrating the existence of different regions with similar behavior. The first EOF mode explained 60.7% and 31% of the variability in nLw555 and chlorophyll, respectively, and was associated with enhanced Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in autumn-winter and phytoplankton blooms in winter-spring periods. The results confirmed that the development of the turbidity plume and subsequent phytoplankton blooms were strongly regulated by river discharges and precipitation. Indeed, interannual variation in nLw555 was consistent with changes in the large-scale climate index, the North Atlantic Oscillation, a proxy for regional rainfall patterns. In the case of phytoplankton biomass, the second EOF mode revealed differentiation between offshore and nearshore areas, the latter characterized by delayed development of phytoplankton bloom due to light limitation by high TSS. This suggests that the stability of the water column, via its influence on phytoplankton light-limitation, influenced also the timing and magnitude of phytoplankton bloom events. The dynamic of the Guadalquivir estuary turbidity plume is a crucial factor for the pelagic ecosystem of the Eastern Gulf of Cadiz, governing phytoplankton productivity.
Zooplankton community dynamics in the N. Aegean front (E. Mediterranean) in the winter spring period
Authors: SIOKOU I. , FRANGOULIS C. , GRIGORATOU Μ. , PANTAZI M.
Published: June 2016

Zooplankton community composition was studied in the North Aegean frontal area in the winter-spring period along a trophic gradient going from the less saline and cold modified Black Sea water to the high salinity and temperature waters of Levantine origin. Samples were collected at the upper 100 m of three stations positioned along this gradient by using three nets with different mesh sizes (45 μm, 200 μm and 500 μm). Τhe community composition (all sizes) was differentiated along the gradient with smoother seasonal succession and higher diversity with increasing oligotrophy and salinity. The temporal variability of the community composition revealed significant changes in the January-April period as well as gradual decrease of diversity index values at the station positioned within the front.  The major characteristic at this station was the abrupt increment and dominance of Centropages typicus in April, especially within the layer occupied by the modified Black Sea water. Significant difference in the community composition between March and April was a common feature in the whole study area and for all zooplankton fractions, though not of the same strength. The inflow of the Black Sea water and the trophic gradient were found to be important factors for the observed temporal variability and its spatial differentiation, while changes in the phytoplankton and protozoa abundance and community composition could account for the seasonal succession in species dominance.