bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Land salamanders of the family Hynobiidae from the Neogene and Quaternary of Europe
Authors: Venczel Márton 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA new extinct genus with two new species of land salamanders of the family Hynobiidae, from the Late Miocene of Polgárdi (MN13), Hungary (Parahynobius kordosi gen. n. sp. n.) and from the Lower Pleistocene of Betfia IX/C (MQ1), Romania (Parahynobius betfianus gen. n. sp. n.), is described. The Late Miocene locality of Tardosbánya (MN12) and the Lower Pliocene locality of Osztramos 1C (MN 14), Hungary, also yielded several vertebrae, assigned with some doubt to the above genus (cf. Parahynobius). The new taxa belonged to the westernmost distributed stock of land salamanders of the Hynohius-group, which, based on the available fossil record, reached the Carpathian Basin during Late Miocene and disappeared from the area during Lower Pleistocene times. The Hynobiidae had a wider geographic distribution during the Tertiary and Quaternary compared to their present range, which is limited to Asia.
Early metamorphosis in common frog Rana temporaria tadpoles at risk of drying: an experimental demonstration
Authors: Loman Jon 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDoes the development rate of common frog tadpoles accelerate if their habitat dries? To study this, the water level in experimental tanks was reduced shortly before time of metamorphosis. Water level remained high in control tanks. The experiment was performed at two different tadpole densities and replicated four times, with tadpoles from different source ponds. The experimental treatment, simulating a drying pond, resulted in earlier metamorphosis while no significant difference in size at metamorphosis was found. Resources per capita decreased as a result of the decreased water level so the increase in development rate was not an effect of feeding conditions. Temperatures in the tanks were such that it is unlikely that the increased development rate was due to temperature effects. I interpret the advancement of metamorphosis as an adaptive response to the threat of drying. This response has been documented for several other anuran species. All those breed in temporary water bodies, supporting the hypothesis that the trait is an evolved adaptation for breeding in such waters.
An Analysis of Sexual Isolation in the Domestic Fowl: 1. the Basis of Homogamy in Males
Authors: Lill Alan 
Published: April 2008

Abstract(I) The basis of homogamy exhibited by the adult domestic cock was investigated because of its important role in effecting potential sexual isolation between breeds and strains of chicken. (2) The importance of female plumage coloration in breed 'identification' by males was determined by modification and other tests. (3) Female plumage coloration possesses isolating value, but more so in single than in multi-coloured breeds. In the latter, discriminating cocks responded additionally to other, unknown releasers. (4) Homogamy appeared to be a largely genetic trait in domestic cocks, as judged from social isolation experiments. Homogamic-heterosexual juvenile experience very slightly enhanced the expression of homogamy by adult males, homogamic-homosexual experience did not, however. (5) Homogamy, though a comparatively stable trait, was not irreversible and could be modified by certain types of juvenile and adult social environment. (6) The present findings are advanced as a contribution to knowledge of macro- and micro-evolutionary mechanisms in avian species.
Coital Behavior in Dogs Iii. Effects of Early Isolation On Mating in Males
Authors: Beach Frank A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThree groups of male beagles were reared from weaning to sexual maturity under special circumstances and their responses to estrous females were compared in a series of mating tests. Five dogs were reared under conditions of semi-isolation (SI). They lived in individual cages and had very little physical contact with other animals throughout the experiment. The 5 males constituting the control group also inhabited individual cages but for 15 min. each day they were set free in the colony room where they could interact with other uncaged dogs. A final group of 5 males was reared together with 5 females in a I-acre field. None of the subjects had contact with estrous bitches except during the mating tests. The copulatory performance of the control and the group-reared males was essentially the same, but that of the semi-isolates was deficient in one particular. SI males mounted estrous females as readily and as frequently as members of the other 2 groups, but the orientation of mounting was abnormal. Ninety-seven per cent of the mounts by control and group-reared males were oriented to the female's rear, whereas 39 per cent of the mounts by SI dogs were directed to the head, side, or flank of the receptive bitch. One consequence of this difference was that SI males achieved intromission in only 24 per cent of their tests, as compared with 58 per cent and 54 per cent for the control and group-reared animals.
Comparative Evaluation of an Eulerian CFD and Gaussian Plume Models Based on Prairie Grass Dispersion Experiment
Authors: Demael E. , Carissimo B. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
A theoretical and statistical comparison of a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with two Gaussian plume models is proposed on the Prairie Grass data field experiment for neutral conditions, using both maximum arcwise concentrations and spatially paired observations. In theory, it is impossible to have the same near-source behavior with the Eulerian CFD code as with the Gaussian plume models. The former presents the inability to account for the dependence of the turbulent diffusivity to the distance from the source, contrary to plume models for which this dependence is fitted to observations. The study described herein looks at the practical implications of these theoretical differences by comparing the two different types of models on a flat-terrain case, a situation favoring Gaussian models. The results herein show that the Eulerian CFD model gives acceptable results, both for arc-maximum concentrations and spatially paired observations. Indeed, the statistical performances are above the criteria of “good performance” commonly defined in literature. In general, the results for Eulerian code fall between those of a Gaussian model that has been fitted using the Prairie Grass dataset and those of one fitted with different datasets.
A Semiempirical Microscale Model of the Surface Energy Balance and Its Application to Two Urban Rooftops
Authors: Barzyk Timothy M. , Frederick John E. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Individual structures within the same local-scale (102–104 m) environment may experience different microscale (&lt;103 m) climates. Urban microclimate variations are often a result of site-specific features, including spatial and material characteristics of surfaces and surrounding structures. A semiempirical surface energy balance model is presented that incorporates radiative and meteorological measurements to statistically parameterize energy fluxes that are not measured directly, including sensible heat transport, storage heat flux through conduction, and evaporation (assumed to be negligible under dry conditions). Two Chicago rooftops were chosen for detailed study. The City Hall site was located in an intensely developed urban area characterized by close-set high-rise buildings. The University rooftop was in a highly developed area characterized by three- to seven-story buildings of stone, concrete, and brick construction. Two identical sets of instruments recorded measurements contemporaneously from these rooftops during summer 2005, and results from the week of 29 July to 5 August are presented here. The model explains 83.7% and 96% of the variance for the City Hall and University sites, respectively. Results apply to a surface area of approximately 1260 m2, at length scales similar to the dimensions of built structures and other urban elements. A site intercomparison revealed variations in surface energy balance components caused by site-specific features and demonstrated the relevance of the model to urban applications.
An Evaluation of Scatterometer-Derived Oceanic Surface Pressure Fields
Authors: Patoux Jérôme , Foster Ralph C. , Brown Robert A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOceanic surface pressure fields are derived from the NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) surface wind vector measurements using a two-layer similarity planetary boundary layer model in the midlatitudes and a mixed layer planetary boundary layer model in the tropics. These swath-based surface pressure fields are evaluated using the following three methods: 1) a comparison of bulk pressure gradients with buoy pressure measurements in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans, 2) a least squares difference comparison with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) surface pressure analyses, and 3) a parallel spectral analysis of the QuikSCAT and ECMWF surface pressure fields. The correlation coefficient squared between scatterometer-derived pressure fields and buoys is found to be R2 = 0.936. The average root-mean-square difference between the scatterometer-derived and the ECMWF pressure fields ranges from 1 to 3 hPa, depending on the latitude and season, and decreases after the assimilation of QuikSCAT winds in the ECMWF numerical weather prediction model. The spectral components of the scatterometer-derived pressure fields are larger than those of ECMWF surface analyses at all scales in the midlatitudes and only at shorter wavelengths in the tropics.
Snowfall Retrievals Using Millimeter-Wavelength Cloud Radars
Authors: Matrosov Sergey Y. , Shupe Matthew D. , Djalalova Irina V. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
It is demonstrated that millimeter-wavelength radars that are designed primarily for cloud studies can be also used effectively for snowfall retrievals. Radar reflectivity–liquid equivalent snowfall rate (Ze–S) relations specifically tuned for Ka- and W-band radar frequencies are applied to measurements taken by vertically pointing ground-based 8-mm cloud radars (MMCR) that are designed for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program and by the nadir-pointing spaceborne 94-GHz CloudSat radar. Comparisons of the MMCR-based snowfall accumulations estimated during experimental events with no significant snowflake riming and controlled gauge measurements indicated an 87% standard deviation between radar and gauge data that is consistent with the uncertainties in the coefficients of the Ze–S relations resulting from variability in snowflake microphysical properties. Comparisons of CloudSat-based snowfall-rate retrievals in heavy snowfall were consistent with estimates from surface S-band precipitation surveillance radars made using algorithms that were specifically designed for use with these radars. A typical difference between the CloudSat and the S-band precipitation radar estimates of snowfall rate for approximately collocated resolution pixels was within a factor of 2, which is of the order of the uncertainty of each estimate. The results of this study suggest that the ground-based and satellite-borne radars operating at Ka and W bands can provide valuable retrieval information on vertical profiles of snowfall, which is an important component of the global water cycle. This information is particularly important in Arctic regions where precipitation information from other sources is scarce.
Evaluation of the Ensemble Transform Analysis Perturbation Scheme at NRL
Authors: McLay Justin G. , Bishop Craig H. , Reynolds Carolyn A. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The ensemble transform (ET) scheme changes forecast perturbations into analysis perturbations whose amplitudes and directions are consistent with a user-provided estimate of analysis error covariance. A practical demonstration of the ET scheme was undertaken using Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Atmospheric Variational Data Assimilation System (NAVDAS) analysis error variance estimates and the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. It was found that the ET scheme produced forecast ensembles that were comparable to or better in a variety of measures than those produced by the Fleet Numerical and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) bred-growing modes (BGM) scheme. Also, the demonstration showed that the introduction of stochastic perturbations into the ET forecast ensembles led to a substantial improvement in the agreement between the ET and NAVDAS analysis error variances. This finding is strong evidence that even a small-sized ET ensemble is capable of obtaining good agreement between the ET and NAVDAS analysis error variances, provided that NWP model deficiencies are accounted for. Last, since the NAVDAS analysis error covariance estimate is diagonal and hence ignores multivariate correlations, it was of interest to examine the ET analysis perturbations’ spatial correlation. Tests showed that the ET analysis perturbations exhibited statistically significant, realistic multivariate correlations.
The Evolution of Morning Convective Systems over the U.S. Great Plains during the Warm Season. Part II: A Climatology and the Influence of Environmental Factors
Authors: Hane Carl E. , Haynes John A. , Andra David L. , Carr Frederick H. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Mesoscale convective systems that affect a limited area within the southern plains of the United States during late morning hours during the warm season are investigated. A climatological study over a 5-yr period documents the initiation locations and times, tracks, associated severe weather, and relation to synoptic features over the lifetimes of 145 systems. An assessment is also made of system evolution in each case during the late morning. For a subset of 48 systems, vertical profiles of basic variables from Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model analyses are used to characterize the environment of each system. Scatter diagrams and discriminant analyses are used to assess which environmental variables are most promising in helping to determine which of two classes of evolutionary character each system will follow.
Ensemble Held–Suarez Test with a Spectral Transform Model: Variability, Sensitivity, and Convergence
Authors: Wan Hui , Giorgetta Marco A. , Bonaventura Luca 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The idealized test case proposed by Held and Suarez is carried out with the atmospheric general circulation model ECHAM5 of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. The aim is to investigate the sensitivity of the solutions of the spectral dynamical core to spatial and temporal resolution, and to evaluate the numerical convergence of the solutions. Low-frequency fluctuations at time scales as long as thousands of days are found in ultralong integrations. To distinguish the effect of changed resolution from the fluctuations caused by the internal variability, the ensemble method is employed in experiments at resolutions ranging from T31 to T159 with 16 to 81 vertical levels. Significance of the differences between ensembles is assessed by three different statistical tests. Convergence property of the numerical solution is concisely summarized by a ratio index.
Results show that the simulated climate state in the Held–Suarez test is sensitive to spatial resolution. Increase of horizontal resolution leads to slight weakening and poleward shift of the westerly jets. Significant warming is detected in high latitudes, especially near the polar tropopause, while the tropical tropopause becomes cooler. The baroclinic wave activity intensifies considerably with increased horizontal resolution. Higher vertical resolution also leads to stronger eddy variances and cooling near the tropical tropopause, but equatorward shift of the westerly jets. The solutions show an indication of convergence at T85L31 resolution according to all the three statistical tests applied. Differences between integrations with various time steps are judged to be within the noise level induced by the inherent low-frequency variability.
The Impact of Trade Wind Strength on Precipitation over the Windward Side of the Island of Hawaii
Authors: Esteban Mary Ann , Chen Yi-Leng 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The effects of trade wind strength and the diurnal heating cycle on the production of summer trade wind rainfall on the windward side of the island of Hawaii are examined from the data collected from the Hawaiian Rainband Project (HaRP) during 11 July–24 August 1990 and from National Weather Service Hydronet and National Climatic Data Center rain gauge data during 11 July–24 August for the years 1997–2000.
For strong trades, the daily rainfall totals on the windward lowlands west of Hilo are higher with a nocturnal maximum there due to the convergence of the katabatic flow and the incoming decelerating trade wind flow, and orographic lifting aloft. The maximum rainfall axis shifts farther inland when trades are stronger. Except in the late afternoon hours, rainfall amounts on the windward side are higher when trades are stronger. For weak trades (≤5 m s−1), the rainfall distributions have a pronounced late afternoon maximum on the windward slopes due to the development of anabatic winds. The nocturnal rainfall over the windward lowlands and the early morning coastal rainfall are lower when trades are weaker.
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2005
Authors: Beven John L. , Avila Lixion A. , Blake Eric S. , Brown Daniel P. , Franklin James L. , Knabb Richard D. , Pasch Richard J. , Rhome Jamie R. , Stewart Stacy R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active of record. Twenty-eight storms occurred, including 27 tropical storms and one subtropical storm. Fifteen of the storms became hurricanes, and seven of these became major hurricanes. Additionally, there were two tropical depressions and one subtropical depression. Numerous records for single-season activity were set, including most storms, most hurricanes, and highest accumulated cyclone energy index. Five hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall in the United States, including four major hurricanes. Eight other cyclones made landfall elsewhere in the basin, and five systems that did not make landfall nonetheless impacted land areas. The 2005 storms directly caused nearly 1700 deaths. This includes approximately 1500 in the United States from Hurricane Katrina—the deadliest U.S. hurricane since 1928. The storms also caused well over $100 billion in damages in the United States alone, making 2005 the costliest hurricane season of record.
Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season of 2005
Authors: Knabb Richard D. , Avila Lixion A. , Beven John L. , Franklin James L. , Pasch Richard J. , Stewart Stacy R. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The 2005 eastern North Pacific hurricane season is summarized, the individual tropical cyclones are described, and official track and intensity forecasts are verified and evaluated. The season’s overall activity was, by most measures, below average. While a near-average 15 tropical storms formed, many of them were relatively weak and short-lived. Seven of these storms became hurricanes, but only one reached major hurricane status (an intensity of 100 kt or greater on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale) in the eastern North Pacific basin. One of the hurricanes, Adrian, approached Central America in May but weakened to a tropical depression prior to landfall. Adrian was the only eastern North Pacific tropical cyclone to make landfall during 2005, and it was directly responsible for one fatality.
Generalized VTD Retrieval of Atmospheric Vortex Kinematic Structure. Part I: Formulation and Error Analysis
Authors: Jou Ben Jong-Dao , Lee Wen-Chau , Liu Su-Ping , Kao Yu-Cheng 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The primary circulation of atmospheric vortices, such as tropical cyclones and tornadoes, can be estimated from single-Doppler radar observations using the ground-based velocity track display (GBVTD) algorithm. The GBVTD algorithm has limitations in the following four areas: 1) distortion in the retrieved asymmetric wind fields, 2) a limited analysis domain, 3) the inability to resolve the cross-beam component of the mean wind, and 4) the inability to separate the asymmetric tangential and radial winds. This paper presents the generalized velocity track display (GVTD) algorithm, which eliminates the first two limitations inherent in the GBVTD technique and demonstrates the possibility of subjectively estimating the mean wind vector when its signature is visible beyond the influence of the vortex circulation.
In this new paradigm, the GVTD algorithm fits the atmospheric vortex circulation to a new variable VdD/RT in a linear azimuth angle (θ′), rather than the Doppler velocity Vd in a nonlinear angle (ψ), which is used in GBVTD. Key vortex kinematic structures (e.g., mean wind, axisymmetric tangential wind, etc.) in the VdD/RT space simplify the interpretation of the radar signature and eliminate the geometric distortion inherent in the Vd display. This is a significant improvement in diagnosing vortex structures in both operations and research. The advantages of using VdD/RT are illustrated using analytical atmospheric vortices, and the properties are compared with GBVTD. The characteristics of the VdD/RT display of Typhoon Gladys (1994) can be approximated by a constant mean wind plus an axisymmetric vortex.
Climatology of Strong Intermountain Cold Fronts
Authors: Shafer Jason C. , Steenburgh W. James 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Motivated by the intensity and severity of winds and temperature falls that frequently accompany rapidly developing cold fronts in northern Utah, this paper presents a 25-yr climatology of strong cold frontal passages over the Intermountain West and adjoining western United States. Using conventional surface observations and the North American Regional Reanalysis, strong cold frontal passages are identified based on a temperature fall of 7°C or greater in a 2–3-h period, a concurrent pressure rise of 3 hPa or greater, and the presence of a large-scale 700-hPa temperature gradient of at least 6°C (500 km)−1. The number of strong cold frontal passages exhibits a strong continental signature with very few events (&lt;10) along the Pacific coast and more than 200 events east of the Continental Divide. The number of events increases dramatically from the Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada to northern Utah, indicating that the Intermountain West is a frequent cold front breeding ground.
A composite of the 25 strongest events at Salt Lake City (based on the magnitude of the temperature fall) reveals that confluent deformation acting on a broad baroclinic zone over central Nevada commonly initiates Intermountain frontogenesis. The confluent deformation develops in southwesterly large-scale flow and appears to be enhanced by flow deflection around the Sierra Nevada. Quasi-stationary development and intensification of the southwest–northeast-oriented cold front then occurs as a mobile upper-level trough approaches from the west. The front becomes mobile as cold advection and ascent associated with the upper-level trough overtake the low-level front. Cloud and precipitation observations suggest that differential diabatic heating contributes to the rapid frontal intensification in many events.