bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluctuating Asymmetry as a Measure of Ecological Stress in Rousettus ampexicaudatus (a Fruit Bat), in Bohol, Philippines
Authors: JOSE REIZL P. , RAMOS KAY P. , GONZAGA CRISTINE J. , TABUGO SHARON ROSE 
Published: March 2015

Bats are biological species that can be influenced by environmental changes. The nature and understanding of the adaptation and survival of bats as biological indicators of the health of the ecosystem is essential for preservation and conservation strategies. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) are fine and random deviations from perfect symmetry of organism’s morphology. It is considered as a reliable factor for measuring developmental instability because it reflects both genetic and environmental stresses especially in endangered populations. Hypothesis assumes that FA has costs and reflects the degree of stress and quality of individuals herewith, a direct relationship between FA and developmental instability. The study determined the developmental instability via fluctuating asymmetry of Rousettus ampexicaudatus, a fruit bat. Using landmark method for shape asymmetry, anatomical and mathematical landmarks were used and analyzed using Symmetry and Asymmetry in Geometric Data (SAGe) program. Results yield highly significant FA for both populations examined (Tamboco cave & claise cave, Bohol). However, population from claise cave in Nagtuang of loon has relatively higher FA and percentage of variation based on the Principal component Analysis (PcA). Thus, the bat population in claise cave experienced a higher degree of stress. Keywords - Animal Ecology, fluctuating asymmetry, SAGE program, experimentaldesign, Philippines
Species Composition and Status of Butterflies in the Sunny and Shady Habitats of Cadaclan, San Fernando, La Union Botanical Garden of North Luzon, Philippines
Authors: NACUA ALMA E. , MOHAGAN ALMA B. , ALEJANDRO GRECEBIO JONATHAN D. 
Published: March 2015

A sampling of butterfly species composition and status is carried out in the sunny and shaded habitats of Cadaclan, San Fernando, La Union Botanical Gardens (LUBG) utilizing transection and standard collection practices. This study is the first comprehensive account of butterflies in the area. Times for the collection were from 09:00 to 15:00 hours from 2012-2014 and yielded a total of 104 species during the sampling period. Data on the species composition revealed six families out of 104 species under 66 genera and a new distribution record and several respective ecological preferences. Percentage distribution by family indicate the following: Papilionidae, 24 (22.85%), Pieridae, 47 (47.70%), Nymphalidae, one (0.95%), Hesperiidae, 15 (14.29%), Riodinidae one (0.95%) and Lycaenidae, 16 (15.24%). Local status reveals 80 common, 23 very common, and one rare species. The National Assessment indicates 65 (62.5%) common, 2 (1.92%) rare, 1 (0.95) very rare, 12 (11.59 %) common endemic, 4 (3:85%) very rare endemic, 1 (0.95%) Luzon endemic, and 1 (0.95%) no experience and 1 (0.95%) new record Jamides cyta koenigswateri with only known distribution in Mindoro. Similarity of species composition showed Si=71% which suggests two separate and diverse habitat types. Additionally, variables such as temperature, vegetation types and elevation affect species composition and abundance. It is to be noted that collection times do not allow for crepuscular species and as such will skew the data but not significantly due to few species being categorized under this heading. Keywords - Butterfly, species composition, transect walk sampling, opportunistic sampling, Luzon, Philippines
Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Population Differentiation in Two Species of Stem Borers from Bohol, Philippines
Authors: RAMOS KAY P. , JOSE REIZL P. , TONOG GENEVIEVE C. , ODCHIMAR NYZAR MABETH O. , PIZON JHOAN RHEA L. , LUMOGDANG LEONEL P. , TORRES MARK ANTHONY J. 
Published: March 2015

Stem borers are one of the most important insect pests that could infest rice plants from seedling to maturity and thus play a major role in crop losses. The study of its mandible that is used in feeding of stem borer would help understand the mechanisms and variations that could affect the adaptation and modification affecting severity of infestation. In this study, the mandible of two population of stem borers, the yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas and the striped stemborer (Chilo suppressalis) in three rice varieties IR-66, Pioneer 77 and Bigante were used to analyze the adaptation with regards to mandible shape in relation to rice variety in the same geographical location using outline-based (elliptic Fourier) geometric morphometric (GM) analysis to determine the shape variations in the left and right mandible of two population of stem borers. Further, scatter plot method was used to illustrate variations in the shapes of the mandibles between populations. Results of this study showed symmetrical shape variations in the right and left mandible of the two species of stem borers and their accumulation to the kind of rice plant varieties were not selective. Keywords - Animal ecology, stem borer, mandible, geometric morphometric analysis,Philippines
A variance‐based decomposition and global sensitivity index method for uncertainty quantification: Application to retrieved ice cloud properties
Authors: Chen Xiao , Tang Qi , Xie Shaocheng , Zhao Chuanfeng 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study develops a novel uncertainty quantification (UQ) method for cloud microphysical property retrievals using variance‐based decomposition and global sensitivity index. In this UQ framework, empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is applied to the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) ground‐based observations, which are the inputs for the cloud retrieval studied here. The principal components (PCs) in the EOF expansion are parameterized as random input variables, and hence, the input dimension is greatly reduced (up to a factor of 50), allowing large ensemble of random samplings. The EOF expansion improves the accuracy of the uncertainty estimation by taking into account the cross correlations in the input data profiles. This method enables a probabilistic representation of a retrieval process by adding normally distributed perturbations into PCs of sample means of input data profiles within a time window. Therefore, it effectively facilitates objective validation of climate models against cloud retrievals under a probabilistic framework for rigorous statistical inferences. Moreover, the variance‐based global sensitivity index analysis, part of this method, attributes the output uncertainties to each individual source, thus providing directions for improving retrieval algorithms and observation strategies. For demonstration, we apply this method to quantify the uncertainties of the ARM program's baseline cloud retrieval algorithm for an ice cloud case observed at the Southern Great Plains site on 9 March 2000.
An LES model study of the influence of the free tropospheric thermodynamic conditions on the stratocumulus response to a climate perturbation
Authors: van der Dussen J. J. , de Roode S. R. , Dal Gesso S. , Siebesma A. P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTwenty‐five large‐eddy simulations are performed to study how free tropospheric thermodynamic conditions control equilibrium state solutions of stratocumulus‐topped marine boundary layers. In particular, we systematically vary the lower tropospheric stability (LTS) and a similar measure for the bulk humidity difference between the 700 hPa level and the surface,
. For all simulations, a completely overcast boundary layer is obtained in which the turbulence is mainly driven by cloud top radiative cooling. The steady state liquid water path (LWP) is rather insensitive to the LTS, but increases significantly and almost linearly with the free tropospheric humidity. In a second suite of runs, the response of the stratocumulus layer to an idealized global warming scenario is assessed by applying a uniform warming of 2 K to the initial temperature profile including the sea surface while the initial relative humidity profile is kept identical to the control case. The warming of the sea surface acts to increase the latent heat flux, which invigorates turbulence in the boundary layer. The steady state inversion height therefore increases, despite the competing effect of a more humid free troposphere that increases the downwelling radiative flux and hence tends to decrease the entrainment rate. The stratocumulus layer nevertheless thins for all free tropospheric conditions as cloud base rises more than cloud top. This implies a positive stratocumulus cloud‐climate feedback for this scenario as thinner clouds reflect less shortwave radiation back to space. The cloud thinning response to the climate perturbation is found to be mostly controlled by the change of
.
Exploring the concept of maximum entropy production for the local atmosphere‐glacier system
Authors: Mölg Thomas 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe concept of maximum entropy production (MEP) is closely linked to the second law of thermodynamics, which explains spontaneous processes in the universe. In geophysics, studies have argued that planetary atmospheres and various subsystems of Earth also operate at maximum dissipation through MEP. One of the debates, however, has concerned the degree of empirical support. This article extends the topic by considering measurements from a high‐altitude, cold glacier in the tropical atmosphere and a numerical model, which represents the open and nonequilibrium system of glacier‐air exchanges. Results reveal that several sensitive system parameters, which are mainly tied to the shortwave radiation budget, cause MEP states at values that coincide closely with the in situ observations. Parameters that set up the forcing of the whole system, however, do not show this pattern. Empirical support for the detection of MEP states, therefore, is limited to parameters that regulate the internal efficiency of energy flow in the glacier. System constraints are shown to affect the solutions, yet not critically in the case of the two most sensitive parameters. In terms of MEP and geophysical fluids, the results suggest that the local atmosphere‐glacier system might be of relevance in the further discussion. For practical purposes, the results hold promise for using MEP in single or multiparameter optimization for process‐based mass balance models of glaciers.
The influence of water table depth and the free atmospheric state on convective rainfall predisposition
Authors: Bonetti Sara , Manoli Gabriele , Domec Jean‐Christophe , Putti Mario , Marani Marco , Katul Gabriel G. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractA mechanistic model for the soil‐plant system is coupled to a conventional slab representation of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) to explore the role of groundwater table (WT) variations and free atmospheric (FA) states on convective rainfall predisposition (CRP) at a Loblolly pine plantation site situated in the lower coastal plain of North Carolina. Predisposition is quantified using the crossing between modeled lifting condensation level (LCL) and convectively grown ABL depth. The LCL‐ABL depth crossing is necessary for air saturation but not sufficient for cloud formation and subsequent convective rainfall occurrence. However, such crossing forms the main template for which all subsequent dynamical processes regulating the formation (or suppression) of convective rainfall operate on. If the feedback between surface fluxes and FA conditions is neglected, a reduction in latent heat flux associated with reduced WT levels is shown to enhance the ABL‐LCL crossing probability. When the soil‐plant system is fully coupled with ABL dynamics thereby allowing feedback with ABL temperature and humidity, FA states remain the leading control on CRP. However, vegetation water stress plays a role in controlling ABL‐LCL crossing when the humidity supply by the FA is within an intermediate range of values. When FA humidity supply is low, cloud formation is suppressed independent of surface latent heat flux. Similarly, when FA moisture supply is high, cloud formation can occur independent of surface latent heat flux. In an intermediate regime of FA moisture supply, the surface latent heat flux controlled by soil water availability can supplement (or suppress) the necessary water vapor leading to reduced LCL and subsequent ABL‐LCL crossing. It is shown that this intermediate state corresponds to FA values around the mode in observed humidity lapse rates γw (between −2.5 × 10−6 and −1.5 × 10−6 kg kg−1m−1), suggesting that vegetation water uptake may be controlling CRP at the study site.
Shape of the terrestrial plasma sheet in the near‐Earth magnetospheric tail as imaged by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer
Authors: Dayeh M. A. , Fuselier S. A. , Funsten H. O. , McComas D. J. , Ogasawara K. , Petrinec S. M. , Schwadron N. A. , Valek P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe present remote, continuous observations from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer of the terrestrial plasma sheet location back to −16 Earth radii (RE) in the magnetospheric tail using energetic neutral atom emissions. The time period studied includes two orbits near the winter and summer solstices, thus associated with large negative and positive dipole tilt, respectively. Continuous side‐view images reveal a complex shape that is dominated mainly by large‐scale warping due to the diurnal motion of the dipole axis. Superposed on the global warped geometry are short‐time fluctuations in plasma sheet location that appear to be consistent with plasma sheet flapping and possibly twisting due to changes in the interplanetary conditions. We conclude that the plasma sheet warping due to the diurnal motion dominates the average shape of the plasma sheet. Over short times, the position of the plasma sheet can be dominated by twisting and flapping.
Role of Sleep Disturbance, Depression, Obesity, and Physical Inactivity in Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Katz Patricia , Margaretten Mary , Trupin Laura , Schmajuk Gabriela , Yazdany Jinoos , Yelin Edward 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveFatigue is a major concern for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, in order to treat fatigue adequately, its sources need to be identified.MethodsData were collected during a single home visit (number of participants = 158). All participants had physician‐diagnosed RA. Assessments of self‐reported sleep quality, depression, physical activity, RA disease activity, muscle strength, functional limitations, and body composition were made. Information on demographics, medications, and smoking was collected. The Fatigue Severity Inventory (FSI; measuring average fatigue over the past 7 days) was used as the primary outcome. Analyses were first conducted to evaluate bivariate relationships with fatigue. Correlations among risk factors were examined. Multivariate analyses identified independent predictors of fatigue.ResultsThe mean ± SD age was 59 ± 11 years, the mean ± SD disease duration was 21 ± 13 years, and 85% of subjects were female. The mean ± SD FSI rating was 3.8 ± 2.0 (range 0–10). In multivariate analyses, self‐reported disease activity, poor sleep, depression, and obesity were independently associated with fatigue. Physical inactivity was correlated with poor sleep, depression, and obesity. Mediation analyses indicated that physical inactivity had an indirect association with fatigue, mediated by poor sleep, depression, and obesity.ConclusionThis cross‐sectional study suggests that fatigue may not be solely a result of RA disease activity, but may result from a constellation of factors that includes RA disease activity or pain, but also includes inactivity, depression, obesity, and poor sleep. The results suggest new avenues for interventions to improve fatigue in individuals with RA, such as increasing physical activity or addressing depression or obesity.
Use and Spending for Biologic Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis Among US Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Yazdany Jinoos , Tonner Chris , Schmajuk Gabriela 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveBiologic therapies have assumed an important role in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We sought to investigate use, spending, and patient cost‐sharing for Medicare beneficiaries using biologic drugs for RA, comparing patients exposed to minimal cost‐sharing because of a Part D low‐income subsidy (LIS) to those facing substantial out‐of‐pocket costs (OOP).MethodsWe performed a retrospective, nationwide study using 2009 Medicare claims for a 5% random sample of beneficiaries with RA who had at least 1 RA drug dispensed. We analyzed biologic drug utilization and costs across the Part B (medical benefit) and Part D (pharmacy benefit) programs by LIS status using multinomial regression. We also projected OOP costs as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates closure of the Part D coverage gap by 2020.ResultsAmong 6,932 beneficiaries, 1,812 (26.1%) received a biologic drug. LIS beneficiaries were significantly more likely to obtain Part D home‐administered biologics (relative risk ratio [RRR] 2.98, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.50–3.56), while non‐LIS beneficiaries were less likely to receive Part D biologic agents (RRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.48–0.69). OOP costs in Part D were lower, as expected, for LIS beneficiaries ($72 versus $3,751 per year for non‐LIS). Non‐LIS beneficiaries had lower costs for Part B facility‐administered biologic agents (range $0–$2,584) than for Part D home‐administered biologic agents. ACA reforms will narrow OOP differences between Part D and B for non‐LIS beneficiaries.ConclusionIn contrast to LIS beneficiaries who receive mostly Part D home‐administered biologic DMARDs, nonsubsidized beneficiaries have significant cost‐based incentives to obtain facility‐administered biologic DMARDs through Part B. The ACA will result in only slightly lower costs for Part D biologic drugs for these beneficiaries.
Knee Extensor Muscle Strength in Middle‐Aged and Older Individuals Undergoing Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Hall Michelle , Juhl Carsten B. , Lund Hans , Thorlund Jonas B. 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivePeople with meniscal tears are at high risk to develop or progress to knee osteoarthritis. Knee extensor weakness is considered a risk factor for osteoarthritis and is often reported in these individuals. The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to investigate knee extensor strength in people undergoing an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM).MethodsSix databases (Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Embase, PEDro, and AMED) were searched up to June 22, 2014. Studies that measured knee extensor muscle strength in people age ≥30 years undergoing APM for a meniscal tear and used either a healthy control group or the contralateral leg to compare knee extensor muscle strength were included. Methodological quality was assessed using guidelines from the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.ResultsEleven studies, in which participants were predominantly male, were included (n = 596). A moderate reduction in muscle strength was observed prior to APM compared to controls (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.04, 1.13) and continued up to 6 months postsurgery (SMD range −2.42 to −0.47). There was no difference in muscle strength at 2 years post‐APM (SMD −0.01 [95% CI −0.36, 0.35]), while a moderate reduction was again apparent at 4 years post‐APM (SMD −0.56, [95% CI −1.20, 0.08]) compared to controls.ConclusionOur findings suggest that middle‐aged and older individuals undergoing APM have reduced knee extensor muscle strength in the operated leg compared to control data. As meniscus pathology and knee extensor muscle weakness are risk factors for osteoarthritis, these results highlight the clinical importance of addressing muscle weakness in these individuals.
Study for Updated Gout Classification Criteria: Identification of Features to Classify Gout
Authors: Taylor William J. , Fransen Jaap , Jansen Tim L. , Dalbeth Nicola , Schumacher H. Ralph , Brown Melanie , Louthrenoo Worawit , Vazquez‐Mellado Janitzia , Eliseev Maxim , McCarthy Geraldine , Stamp Lisa K. , Perez‐Ruiz Fernando , Sivera Francisca , Ea Hang‐Korng , Gerritsen Martijn , Scire Carlo , Cavagna Lorenzo , Lin Chingtsai , Chou Yin‐Yi , Tausche Anne Kathrin , Vargas‐Santos Ana Beatriz , Janssen Matthijs , Chen Jiunn‐Horng , Slot Ole , Cimmino Marco A. , Uhlig Till , Neogi Tuhina 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo determine which clinical, laboratory, and imaging features most accurately distinguished gout from non‐gout.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional study of consecutive rheumatology clinic patients with ≥1 swollen joint or subcutaneous tophus. Gout was defined by synovial fluid or tophus aspirate microscopy by certified examiners in all patients. The sample was randomly divided into a model development (two‐thirds) and test sample (one‐third). Univariate and multivariate association between clinical features and monosodium urate–defined gout was determined using logistic regression modeling. Shrinkage of regression weights was performed to prevent overfitting of the final model. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify patterns of joint involvement.ResultsIn total, 983 patients were included. Gout was present in 509 (52%). In the development sample (n = 653), the following features were selected for the final model: joint erythema (multivariate odds ratio [OR] 2.13), difficulty walking (multivariate OR 7.34), time to maximal pain <24 hours (multivariate OR 1.32), resolution by 2 weeks (multivariate OR 3.58), tophus (multivariate OR 7.29), first metatarsophalangeal (MTP1) joint ever involved (multivariate OR 2.30), location of currently tender joints in other foot/ankle (multivariate OR 2.28) or MTP1 joint (multivariate OR 2.82), serum urate level >6 mg/dl (0.36 mmoles/liter; multivariate OR 3.35), ultrasound double contour sign (multivariate OR 7.23), and radiograph erosion or cyst (multivariate OR 2.49). The final model performed adequately in the test set, with no evidence of misfit, high discrimination, and predictive ability. MTP1 joint involvement was the most common joint pattern (39.4%) in gout cases.ConclusionTen key discriminating features have been identified for further evaluation for new gout classification criteria. Ultrasound findings and degree of uricemia add discriminating value, and will significantly contribute to more accurate classification criteria.