bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aeromagnetic investigation of southern Calabria and the Messina Straits (Italy): Tracking seismogenic sources of 1783 and 1908 earthquakes
Authors: Minelli Liliana , Vecchio Antonio , Speranza Fabio , Nicolosi Iacopo , D'Ajello Caracciolo Francesca , Chiappini Stefano , Carluccio Roberto , Chiappini Massimo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSouthern Calabria and the NE corner of Sicily (Italy) were struck in 1783 and 1908 A.D. by two of the most catastrophic earthquakes ever in European history. Although it is generally acknowledged that the seisms were yielded by normal faults rupturing the upper crust of the Calabria‐Peloritani terrane, no consensus exists on seismogenic source location and orientation. Here we report on a high‐resolution low‐altitude aeromagnetic survey of southern Calabria and Messina Straits. In southern Calabria we document a broad weakly positive (5–10 nT) anomaly zone interrupted by three en echelon SW‐NE null to negative magnetic anomaly corridors. Euler deconvolution and magnetic modeling show that the anomaly pattern is produced by a 1–1.5 km thick crustal “layer” located within 3 km depth. This layer is offset by a 25 km long NE trending fault that corresponds to the Armo normal fault, recently inferred to be the source for the 1908 earthquake. Few kilometers to the south, we also document a subparallel and previously unrecognized fault, entering the Messina Straits and likely joining the Armo fault at depth. Further east, we model a 40 km long normal fault, probably extending northeastward for additional 40 km, running along the south Calabria axis from Aspromonte to the Serre mountains and partly following the 18 km long surface rupture witnessed by Déodat de Dolomieu after the 1783 earthquake. Thus, aeromagnetic data suggest that the sources of the 1783 and 1908 earthquakes are en echelon faults belonging to the same NW dipping normal fault system straddling the whole southern Calabria.
Effect of atmospheric refraction on radiative transfer in visible and near‐infrared band: Model development, validation, and applications
Authors: Hu Shuai , Gao Tai‐chang , Li Hao , Liu Lei , Liu Xi‐chuan , Zhang Ting , Cheng Tian‐ji , Li Wan‐tong , Dai Zhong‐hua , Su Xiaojian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractRefraction is an important factor influencing radiative transfer since it can modify the propagation trajectory and polarization states of lights; therefore, it is necessary to quantitively evaluate the effect of atmospheric refraction on radiative transfer process. To this end, a new atmospheric radiative transfer model including refraction process is proposed. The model accuracy is validated against benchmark results, literature results, and well‐tested radiative transfer models such as discrete coordinate method and RT3/PolRadtran. The impact of atmospheric refraction on both polarized radiance and fluxes is discussed for pure Rayleigh scattering atmosphere, atmosphere with aerosol, and cloud. The results show that atmospheric refraction has a significant influence on both the radiance and polarization states of diffuse light, where the relative change of the radiance of reflected light and transmitted light due to refraction can achieve 6.3% and 7.4% for Rayleigh scattering atmosphere, 7.2% and 7.8% for atmosphere with aerosol, and 6.2% and 6.8% for cloudy atmosphere, respectively. The relative change of the degree of polarization ranges from near zero in the horizon to 9.5% near neutral points. The angular distribution pattern of the relative change of the radiance for atmosphere with aerosol and cloud is very similar to that for pure Rayleigh scattering case, where its magnitude decreases gradually with the increasing of zenith angle for reflected light; but for transmitted light, the variation characteristics is opposite. The impact of refraction is gradually enhanced with the increasing of solar zenith angles and the optical depth of aerosol and cloud. As the wavelength of incident light increases, the impact declines rapidly for Rayleigh scattering medium. The relative change of the fluxes due to refraction is most notable for Middle Latitude Winter profile (about 8.2043% and 7.3225% for the transmitted and reflected light, respectively, at 0.35 µm). With increasing the optical depth of aerosol, the influence of refraction on the fluxes is gradually enhanced. For cloudy atmosphere, the relative changes of the fluxes due to refraction are not very sensitive to the variation of cloud optical depth and effective radius of cloud drops.
Global volcanic aerosol properties derived from emissions, 1990–2014, using CESM1(WACCM)
Authors: Mills Michael J. , Schmidt Anja , Easter Richard , Solomon Susan , Kinnison Douglas E. , Ghan Steven J. , Neely Ryan R. , Marsh Daniel R. , Conley Andrew , Bardeen Charles G. , Gettelman Andrew 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAccurate representation of global stratospheric aerosols from volcanic and nonvolcanic sulfur emissions is key to understanding the cooling effects and ozone losses that may be linked to volcanic activity. Attribution of climate variability to volcanic activity is of particular interest in relation to the post‐2000 slowing in the rate of global average temperature increases. We have compiled a database of volcanic SO2 emissions and plume altitudes for eruptions from 1990 to 2014 and developed a new prognostic capability for simulating stratospheric sulfate aerosols in the Community Earth System Model. We used these combined with other nonvolcanic emissions of sulfur sources to reconstruct global aerosol properties from 1990 to 2014. Our calculations show remarkable agreement with ground‐based lidar observations of stratospheric aerosol optical depth (SAOD) and with in situ measurements of stratospheric aerosol surface area density (SAD). These properties are key parameters in calculating the radiative and chemical effects of stratospheric aerosols. Our SAOD calculations represent a clear improvement over available satellite‐based analyses, which generally ignore aerosol extinction below 15 km, a region that can contain the vast majority of stratospheric aerosol extinction at middle and high latitudes. Our SAD calculations greatly improve on that provided for the Chemistry‐Climate Model Initiative, which misses about 60% of the SAD measured in situ on average during both volcanically active and volcanically quiescent periods.
Wetland tree transpiration modified by river‐floodplain connectivity
Authors: Allen Scott T. , Krauss Ken W. , Cochran J. Wesley , King Sammy L. , Keim Richard F. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHydrologic connectivity provisions water and nutrient subsidies to floodplain wetlands and may be particularly important in floodplains with seasonal water deficits through its effects on soil moisture. In this study, we measured sapflow in 26 trees of two dominant floodplain forest species (Celtis laevigata and Quercus lyrata) at two hydrologically distinct sites in the lower White River floodplain in Arkansas, USA. Our objective was to investigate how connectivity‐driven water table variations affected water use, an indicator of tree function. Meteorological variables (photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit) were the dominant controls over water use at both sites; however, water table variations explained some site differences. At the wetter site, highest sapflow rates were during a late‐season overbank flooding event, and no flood stress was apparent. At the drier site, sapflow decreased as the water table receded. The late‐season flood pulse that resulted in flooding at the wetter site did not affect the water table at the drier site; accordingly, higher water use was not observed at the drier site. The species generally associated with wetter conditions (Q. lyrata) was more positively responsive to the flood pulse. Flood water subsidy lengthened the effective growing season, demonstrating ecological implications of hydrologic connectivity for alleviating water deficits that otherwise reduce function in this humid floodplain wetland.
Are the oxygen isotopic compositions of Fitzroya cupressoides and Nothofagus pumilio cellulose promising proxies for climate reconstructions in northern Patagonia?
Authors: Lavergne Aliénor , Daux Valérie , Villalba Ricardo , Pierre Monique , Stievenard Michel , Vimeux Françoise , Srur Ana Marina 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTree ring δ18O chronologies from two native species (Fitzroya cupressoides and Nothofagus pumilio) in northern Patagonia were developed to assess their potential for paleoclimate reconstructions. The five annually resolved cellulose δ18O chronologies (two for F. cupressoides and three for N. pumilio) are located on the Andes along the steep west‐to‐east precipitation gradient. Over the common 60 years long interval, the five site‐δ18Ocell chronologies exhibit a strong common signal as indicated by the significant mean intercorrelation (r = 0.61, p < 0.05) and the high percentage (65%) of total variance explained by the first empirical orthogonal function. Although correlation analyses reveal that the two mean species‐δ18Ocell chronologies are mainly modulated by December–May temperature, the N. pumilio chronology shows a greater sensitivity to record temperature variations (r = 0.57, p < 0.05). The δ18Ocell of N. pumilio contains a regional temperature signal representative of a large area in southern South America under the influence of the Southern Annular Mode. This study indicates that δ18Ocell in N. pumilio is a promising proxy to reconstruct past variations in temperature in South America south of 38°S.
Using citizen science reports to define the equatorial extent of auroral visibility
Authors: Case N. A. , MacDonald E. A. , Viereck R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAn aurora may often be viewed hundreds of kilometers equatorward of the auroral oval owing to its altitude. As such, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) Aurora Forecast product provides a “view line” to demonstrate the equatorial extent of auroral visibility, assuming that it is sufficiently bright and high in altitude. The view line in the SWPC product is based upon the latitude of the brightest aurora, for each hemisphere, as specified by the real‐time oval variation, assessment, tracking, intensity, and online nowcasting (OVATION) Prime (2010) aurora precipitation model. In this study, we utilize nearly 500 citizen science auroral reports to compare with the view line provided by an updated SWPC aurora forecast product using auroral precipitation data from OVATION Prime (2013). The citizen science observations were recorded during March and April 2015 using the Aurorasaurus platform and cover one large geomagnetic storm and several smaller events. We find that this updated SWPC view line is conservative in its estimate and that the aurora is often viewable further equatorward than is indicated by the forecast. By using the citizen reports to modify the scaling parameters used to link the OVATION Prime (2013) model to the view line, we produce a new view line estimate that more accurately represents the equatorial extent of visible aurora. An OVATION Prime (2013) energy flux‐based equatorial boundary view line is also developed and is found to provide the best overall agreement with the citizen science reports, with an accuracy of 91%.
Threshold detection for the generalized Pareto distribution: Review of representative methods and application to the NOAA NCDC daily rainfall database
Authors: Langousis Andreas , Mamalakis Antonios , Puliga Michelangelo , Deidda Roberto 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn extreme excess modeling, one fits a generalized Pareto (GP) distribution to rainfall excesses above a properly selected thresholdu. The latter is generally determined using various approaches, such as nonparametric methods that are intended to locate the changing point between extreme and nonextreme regions of the data, graphical methods where one studies the dependence of GP‐related metrics on the threshold levelu, and Goodness‐of‐Fit (GoF) metrics that, for a certain level of significance, locate the lowest thresholduthat a GP distribution model is applicable. Here we review representative methods for GP threshold detection, discuss fundamental differences in their theoretical bases, and apply them to 1714 overcentennial daily rainfall records from the NOAA‐NCDC database. We find that nonparametric methods are generally not reliable, while methods that are based on GP asymptotic properties lead to unrealistically high threshold and shape parameter estimates. The latter is justified by theoretical arguments, and it is especially the case in rainfall applications, where the shape parameter of the GP distribution is low; i.e., on the order of 0.1–0.2. Better performance is demonstrated by graphical methods and GoF metrics that rely on preasymptotic properties of the GP distribution. For daily rainfall, we find that GP threshold estimates range between 2 and 12 mm/d with a mean value of 6.5 mm/d, while the existence of quantization in the empirical records, as well as variations in their size, constitute the two most important factors that may significantly affect the accuracy of the obtained results.
Stochastic and anthropogenic influences on repeated record‐breaking temperature extremes in Australian spring of 2013 and 2014
Authors: Gallant Ailie J. E. , Lewis Sophie C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe examine the contribution of synoptic and interannual processes and anthropogenic warming to repeated record‐breaking warmth in the Australian spring of 2013 and 2014. Climatic conditions similar to those in 2013 and 2014 have occurred in the past, the regional and large‐scale interannual processes associated with these extreme temperatures were not unusual, and the repetition of the very warm temperatures is likely to be a function of stochastic interannual variability. However, analysis using observations and climate model simulations shows that without an anthropogenically driven warming trend, it is unlikely that the 2013 and 2014 temperature anomalies would have been consecutively record breaking. Climate models demonstrate that the likelihood of consecutive record‐breaking spring temperatures similar to 2013 and 2014 changes from < 1% in simulations using natural forcing only to between 11% and 25% for the period 2006–2020 using simulations containing both natural and anthropogenic forcings.
Independent Association of Severity of Muscle Weakness With Disability as Measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index in Scleroderma
Authors: Paik Julie J. , Wigley Fredrick M. , Mejia Amanda F. , Hummers Laura K. 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo determine whether the presence and degree of muscle weakness in scleroderma is associated with disability.MethodsThe study included a cohort of 1,718 scleroderma patients who had available data on muscle strength and disability. The primary independent variable was muscle weakness as defined by the maximum Medsger muscle severity score and the outcome was disability as measured by the last recorded Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (HAQ DI) score. Univariate regression analyses were performed to assess the association of HAQ DI scores with the Medsger muscle severity score and other scleroderma characteristics. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine whether an association existed between the degree of muscle weakness and disability, while controlling for confounders.ResultsIn 1,718 patients with scleroderma, 22.8% (392 of 1,718) had muscle weakness, as defined by a Medsger muscle severity score of ≥1. This subset was more likely than those without weakness to have diffuse cutaneous scleroderma (55.6% versus 35.1%; P < 0.0001), higher modified Rodnan skin thickness scores (mean ± SD 16.3 ± 13.7 versus 10.3 ± 10.6; P < 0.00001), shorter disease duration (mean ± SD 5.21 ± 6.75 versus 6.22 ± 7.67 years; P = 0.02), synovitis (17.7% versus 11.4%; P = 0.001), forced vital capacity <70% (46.2% versus 30.6%; P = 0.0001), and higher creatine kinase values (mean ± SD 441 ± 1,211 versus 151 ± 255; P = 0.00001). Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that for every unit of increase in the Medsger muscle severity score, there was a clinically significant (minimum clinically important difference ± 0.14) increase in the mean HAQ DI score at last followup visit.ConclusionThe presence of muscle weakness associates with several features of worse disease burden and independently associates with disability as measured by the HAQ DI.
Adaptive tracking of sinusoids with unknown frequencies for some classes of SISO non‐minimum phase systems
Authors: Bartolini Giorgio , Estrada Antonio , Punta Elisabetta 
Published: February 2016

SummaryIn this paper, the output‐tracking problem for a class of non‐affine nonlinear systems with unstable zero‐dynamics is addressed. The system output must track a signal, which is the sum of a known number of sinusoids with unknown frequencies amplitudes and phases. The non‐minimum phase nature of the considered systems prevents the direct tracking by standard sliding mode methods, which are known to generate unstable behaviors of the internal dynamics. The proposed method relies on the properties of differentially flat systems under mild assumptions relevant to the relation between the original output and a suitably designed flat output. As a result, the original problem is transformed into a state‐tracking problem for invertible stable systems, where any internal state turns out to be bounded. Because of the uncertainty in the frequencies and in the parameters defining the relationship between system output and flat states, adaptive indirect methods are applied. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis Executive Summary
Authors: Orlandi Richard R. , Kingdom Todd T. , Hwang Peter H. 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundThe body of knowledge regarding rhinosinusitis (RS) continues to expand, with rapid growth in number of publications yet substantial variability in the quality of those presentations. In an effort to both consolidate and critically appraise this information, rhinologic experts from around the world have produced the International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR:RS). This executive summary consolidates the findings of the ICAR:RS document.MethodsICAR:RS presents over 140 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs) and evidence‐based reviews (EBR). The structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary.ResultsThis summary compiles the EBRRs regarding medical and surgical management of acute RS (ARS) and chronic RS with and without nasal polyps (CRSwNP and CRSsNP).ConclusionThis ICAR:RS Executive Summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS.
Outcomes of revision endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure
Authors: Morrissey David K. , Bassiouni Ahmed , Psaltis Alkis J. , Naidoo Yuresh , Wormald Peter‐John 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundEndoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) is used to treat patients who fail conventional sinus surgery. The failure rate of a primary EMLP is reported to be between 5% and 32%. The failure rate of revision EMLP has not been reported. We present our institutions data regarding the outcome of patients requiring revision EMLP.MethodsData was collected prospectively. Patients undergoing primary EMLP between January 2001 and December 2013 with a minimum follow‐up of 6 months were included. Information related to demographics, asthma status, aspirin sensitivity, 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) score, Lund‐Mackay scores, intraoperative findings, and endoscopic ostium assessment were collected.ResultsThere were 213 primary EMLPs completed with average follow‐up of 36 months. The failure rate of primary EMLP was 8.9% (19/213), whereas the failure rate of revision EMLP was 21% (4/19). Risk factors for failure of primary EMLP included the presence of intraoperative pus, more than 5 previous sinus operations and aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Revision of EMLP was undertaken primarily due to recurrence of nasal polyps or ostium stenosis. Those patients who underwent revision EMLP experienced symptomatic improvement and no major complications following the procedure.ConclusionThe failure rate of revision EMLP is 21% in our series. The majority of revisions were for nasal polyp recurrence. Revision EMLP is a safe and well‐tolerated procedure in the small group of patients that require further surgery. Patients with intraoperative pus present at their initial EMLP, more than 5 previous sinus operations, or AERD are at increased risk of failure.
The endoscopic transseptal approach for choanal atresia repair
Authors: Wormald Peter‐John , Zhao Yi Chen , Valdes Constanza J. , Pacheco Alvaro E. , Ha Thanh Ngoc , Tewfik Marc A. , Wabnitz David , Shaw Chi‐kee Leslie 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundThere are many standard repair options for choanal atresia including puncture, dilatation and drilling of the atretic plate. Most of these techniques involve postoperative stenting, which may promote granulation and scarring, with possible progression to restenosis. This article describes a novel approach for choanal atresia repair without postoperative stenting.MethodsThis article describes our experience with this choanal atresia repair technique utilized in 16 pediatric patients and 1 adult patient across multiple tertiary pediatric and rhinology centers during 2008 through 2015. Seven cases were bilateral and 10 were unilateral. Surgery was performed using an endoscopic transseptal approach with preservation of the mucosa and creation of flaps. No stents or packing was used. The main outcome measures were: response to treatment based on endoscopic examination, need for further revision and incidence of complications.ResultsAll patients underwent routine postoperative endoscopic inspection of their nasal cavity, postnasal space, and assessment of neochoanal patency. The neochoanae of all patients remained patent to a minimum follow‐up duration of 9 months with most patients follow up for 2 years or more. Two neonatal patients required transfusion postoperation from intraoperative bleeding. Two pediatric patients developed postoperative respiratory complications. One patient required revision surgery for nasal vestibule scarring from incision made on the nasal alar to facilitate the initial endoscopic approach.ConclusionThis novel endoscopic transseptal repair technique is effective in the management of choanal atresia. Careful fashioning of mucosal flaps and the omission of stenting has resulted in lasting patency of the neochoanae.